Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai
Hyundai "BH" in U.S. by 2008, will not replace Korea's Equus
Despite our earlier speculation, Hyundai's upcoming BH model won't be a replacement for the Korean Equus. Hyundai Motor Co. says now that its new "BH" luxury car will slot in between the Azera and the Equus, in a spot formerly filled by the front-wheel drive Dynasty. This V8 powered rear-wheel-drive sedan will go on sale in South Korea at the end of this year or possibly in early 2008. U.S. sales would start soon after that. We'll actually see the car, sans camo, as the Genesis Concept next month at the New York Auto Show.
With the Azera selling between $25,000 and $30,000, we'd guess the new BH will run $30,000 to $40,000. With hopes of targeting cars from Lexus and Infiniti to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Hyundai should offer tastefully elegant styling and the rumored 300-hp 4.6-liter V8 at a much lower price level than the competition. Some outlets have even reported a range of V-8s, including 4.6, 5.0 and 5.5-liter versions.
[Source: Wards Auto]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Karesh 2:05PM (3/23/2007)
The prototypes' proportions haven't looked nearly this low and swoopy, and much more like those of a BMW 5-Series. I think the designer took some liberties with this sketch.
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Sal Collaziano 9:30AM (4/07/2009)
Obviously, the Genesis came to us looking quite a bit different from even the concept. Some people were/are disappointed - but most are quite pleased. It seems more people like bland designs that don't stand out than otherwise. Look at how well the Toyota Camry sells..
Anyway.. So far, so good with the Genesis Sedan. Even the Coupe is causing some major stirs in the automotive community.
Sal Collaziano
http://www.genesisowners.com
DPC car videos 2:13PM (3/23/2007)
I can't belive Hyundai is starting to make great cars like this. I remember in mid 80's when you could buy a Hyundai for $5995 but they where very ugly and made out of paper. The BH sure seems to look and have the right mechanicals to compete with the high end cars. And if they offer thier 100,000 mile warranty I think they will take a lot of business from the higher end cars especially Lexus and Infiniti.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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thomas 2:19PM (3/23/2007)
The grill and rake look very Lexus/Toyota - er, what Lexus/Toyota should have done had they the balls or sense of style.
Toyota = This generation's Buick/Oldsmobile
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Marko 2:21PM (3/23/2007)
I'm a very materistic shallow bastard....but with that said...I LOVE the Azera and Sonata and this concept....Hyundais are great cars nowadays. I've found myself thinking of trading my Audi in for an Azera....but can't bring myself to it just yet. I'm thinking in 5 years time, Hyundai is going to achieve close to Acura reputation. Then...who knows...maybe I wont care about being shallow anymore!
Definitely some applaus to Hyundai.
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felipe 2:41PM (3/23/2007)
just drove home the new Santa Fe yesterday.
i'm blown away by the quality.
i'm blown away by the value.
I looked into it mainly because i own a 2004 Tiburon and it is the best/well made car i've had in 24 yrs of driving them all.
go hyundai go. good for you.
I hope this new BH wow's them all. (could use a different name then BH though. like Hq or Hx.)
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bauhaus 2:47PM (3/23/2007)
Please, please, please let it be the Dynasty. The vinyl-landau-roof content of my bloodstream is getting low.
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jeffinToronto 3:36PM (3/23/2007)
They need to start a new division if they want to aim at BMW, Infiniti and Lexus or have Hyundai as their premier brand and Kia as their value brand. No one wants to walk into a dealership and plunk down $40-50K beside the guy who is buying a $20K car - just ask Volkswagen.
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Michael Karesh 5:21PM (3/23/2007)
I agree with #3. First thing I thought earlier was how similar the grille looks to the Camry's. But overall (in this sketch) it's closest to the ES, with a GS greenhouse.
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youknowit 5:25PM (3/23/2007)
Do you guys seriously think that people that could afford a German luxery make would even consider this car? In this class brand cachet is very important.
Case in point: The Japanese luxery car market has plenty of excellent Japanese makes to choose from, however BMW, Mercedes, Audi are preferred heavily over domestic brands mainly for cachet appeal.
Also original styling would be good too.
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Rick Lyon 6:21PM (3/23/2007)
$40,000 Hyundai? hahaha. Ah guys, see the Phaeton.
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Bryan 8:20PM (3/23/2007)
I see this doing about as well as the Kia Amanti. I still don't believe in Hyundais supposed fantastic quality. Especially since you hardly see any old ones, and the fact that MT has one for their long term test and a check engine light came on and has not gone off. It really was not hard for them to do better, they were so crappy before. Even GM's old interiors held up better. I think Hyundai needs to get everything else right first, especially design. They are all so bland or hideous.
Felipe..they still make the Tiburon? I haven't seen one in ages. Wonder why.
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Castle 8:48PM (3/23/2007)
Competitions very tough in that market, 300hp RWD cars like the G35, IS350 (and recently shown G37 are all great values any way you look at it). Especially the G35, in the entry-level market the Japanese makes are already have the value-performance offerings compared to the European rivals.
If Hp and RWD are your choices, there are many American brands that offer huge RWD power; granted without the luxury nameplate (but then again neither is Hyundai).
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Castle 8:51PM (3/23/2007)
>>I think the designer took some liberties with this sketch.
Most designers tend to fit 20+ inch wheels and give the car minuscule passenger space with unreasonable windshield angels in all their concept drawings in an effort to make it look cooler.
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ziggy 10:49AM (3/24/2007)
Maybe ifwe're lucky they will use that RWD platform and those V8 engines in the next Tiburon. The shark needs to gain some real teeth to compete with the 350Z and the detroit muscle cars.
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GrindingAxis 4:36PM (3/24/2007)
'Especially since you hardly see any old ones.... It really was not hard for them to do better, they were so crappy before'
Oh really? I drove mine and my brother drove his over 200,000 miles with only regular maintenance and one tranny between the two. Not bad for 400,000 miles. I guess you owned one and have talked personally to owners. You just buy the crap you here in forums or the jokes you hear on tv. Educated people don't make comments like this.
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Jones 9:38PM (3/24/2007)
i could never see myself dropping 30k+ on a korean car... its just not possible. maybe in 20 years but for now ill take a g35 or a mb c350, an overpriced sonata. yeh.. not so much
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XJ 2:32AM (3/25/2007)
An "overpriced Sonata"? What's the comparison between a Sonata and the BH, besides they're from the same manufacturer? Same engine? No. Same platform? No. Same drivetrain? No.
Lol...that's like saying I would never shell out +$30k for a G35 because it's basically an overpriced Sentra. Yeah, why buy a C350, after all, it's an overpriced Sebring. Too funny...
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Jonathan Hicks 1:23PM (3/25/2007)
Maybe Hyundai should revive the Dynasty name for this new sedan. It sounds elegant.
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leo 10:29PM (4/01/2007)
#9,
you may wna to look those numbers up, cause Audi doesn't even come close to what Infiniti/Acura sell
Also, Lexus still outsells the germans here in teh US, and now that they are going global i would't be suprised if they start to gain on the Germans.
oh yeah, those that want to leave their car at the dealer every two weeks - go buy sth German, maybe your BMW engine will blow soon as it did for Automobile MAg at only 23k miles (and that was the 4th BMW that blows up on them - including a 540 and a 745)
I think this Hyundai will be great for those wanting an S-class size sedan for $35k.
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