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2017 Genesis G90 First Drive

The Genesis G90, new flagship of a new brand, makes me think of Shakespeare. Specifically, the tragedy of Troilus and Cressida, one of the Bard's more obscure and difficult works. But not because that play has much to do with the G90, but because that oft-forgotten work lent the Toyota Cressida, itself an obscure thing, its name. We're playing six degrees of Kevin Bacon with old playwrights and forgotten Toyota sedans because the luxurious Toyota Cressida directly paved the way for the Lexus LS400 to emerge a few years later. Since Lexus was the most phenomenal success to emerge from the late 1980s Japanese luxury brand movement, what better template for success? Genesis's Cressida was the Hyundai Equus. Both were uniquely badged, both sat slightly apart from a much less luxurious lineup. Both were not quite translated to American tastes, attempting to pass off indigenous flavors as export bonuses. The Cressida was pinched and cramped within, and frosted with gimmicky electronics; the Equus was tailor-made to a Korean businessperson's tastes. Both tested the waters and proved to product planners that there was room for a luxury brand. Lose the battle, win the war. Don't tell that to Troilus, though. Genesis won't quit with the G90. They're planning six vehicles by 2020, and the G80 (the old Hyundai Genesis sedan) is going on sale in September. A smaller G70 sedan will follow up later on. We expect an all-wheel drive coupe (or coupeish four-door) to replace the unloved Genesis Coupe, which should be significantly more upscale and luxurious to compete with the German brands. If it looks anything like the Vision G coupe concept from 2015, that won't be hard. Erwin Raphael, brand manager in the US for Genesis, tells us that a small SUV built on the G70 platform and a mid-sized one built on the G80 platform will follow (and in this SUV-crazy market, can't come soon enough). The slide below, provided by Genesis, shows the way forward. Genesis will craft its luxury brand not only with product, but also with a few customer service pillars that are worth a mention. Genesis expects most of their cars will be leased, and so they include a bunch of perks crafted to a typical lease period, like free service. On top of that, all Genesis dealers will offer a valet-style service to pick up your car for maintenance while dropping off a loaner. Other brands and dealerships do this piecemeal, but it will be a brand-wide pillar for Genesis.

Hyundai Motor shares slide following U.S. probe of airbag failures

SEOUL — Shares in Hyundai Motor tumbled on Monday on a U.S. probe into why airbags failed to deploy in some of its Sonata sedans, with investors fretting about potential recall costs for the once popular cars. The probe, which follows crashes that reportedly killed four people and left six injured, will review the 2011 Sonata sedan as well as the 2012-2013 Forte made by affiliate Kia Motors, encompassing some 425,000 vehicles. It marks the second investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into the South Korean duo in less than one year, exacerbating headaches for Hyundai which reported in January its worst annual earnings in seven years. Hyundai has issued a recall for more than 150,000 U.S. Sonatas after incidents of non-deployment were linked to electrical overstress in the airbag control unit, but said it did not have a final fix. "What I am concerned about is that the recall will be expanded to other markets," said Ko Tae-bong, an analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. The Sonata and Forte sedans were responsible for driving sales for Hyundai and Kia in key markets in recent years, although they are no longer as popular as they once were. Ko estimated the U.S. recall could cost as much as $575 million if airbags were replaced in 425,000 vehicles under review and the automakers were found responsible for the problem. Hyundai Motor shares tumbled 4.8 percent while Kia Motors lost 3.7 percent. Parts supplier Hyundai Mobis fell 5.4 percent while the broader market was down 0.7 percent. Hyundai declined to comment on whether the recall would be expanded. Kia said it has not confirmed problems with the airbags but added it would "act promptly to conduct a safety recall, if it determines that a recall would be appropriate." The automakers told the South Korean regulator that the Sonata and Forte models sold in the domestic market were not affected, an official at South Korea's transport ministry told Reuters. The U.S. regulator said the airbag control units were built by ZF Friedrichshafen-TRW, a German auto supplier that acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, adding that it would determine if any other manufacturers used similar airbag control units and if they posed a safety risk. The NHTSA also said that electrical overstress appeared to be the root cause in the 2016 recall by Fiat Chrysler America of 1.4 million U.S. vehicles for airbag non-deployments in significant frontal crashes.

2017 Hyundai Elantra priced from $17,985

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra arrives at dealers in January with a new design and expanded range of tech for a starting price of $17,985 (including $835 destination), which gives buyers access to the latest vehicle's improvements for $100 less than the MSRP of the 2016 model. It also means the Hyundai comes in about $1,500 less than a base 2016 Honda Civic that just won the 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Elantra SE and Limited trims both use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The company offers the base SE with a six-speed manual, but the six-speed automatic takes the model's price to $18,985. The SE doesn't come with too many frills, but the $800 Popular Equipment Package on the automatic adds features like a 7-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a rearview camera, and cruise control. For another $1,300, the Tech Package provides LED running lights, blind spot detection, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and more. The Limited trim only comes with the six-speed automatic and starts $23,185. It gets expanded standard features like leather seats and LED taillights. A $2,500 Tech Package adds things like an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, upgraded stereo, and sunroof. The $1,900 Ultimate Package then bundles HID headlights, memory seats, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and smart cruise control. Hyundai will announce pricing and details for the Eco trim closer to the launch this spring. The model will use a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to get an estimated 35 miles per gallon combined fuel economy. There will also be a Sport model later in the year, but the automaker hasn't announced any further details of that model yet. Related Video: X ALL-NEW 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA PRICED AT $100 LESS THAN THE AWARD-WINNING MODEL IT REPLACES - STARTS AT $17,150 Value-Packed Elantra Offers Leading Technology and Generous Amenities Including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Cruise Control and Dynamic Bending Light FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. Jan. 15, 2016 – Hyundai Motor America today announced pricing for the all-new 2017 Elantra starting at $17,150.