UPDATE: The Hyundai Genesis is scheduled for a major facelift for the 2012 model year, not the 2011 model year. -Ed.
Today we are the first to bring you exclusive images of the eagerly anticipated facelifted 2011 Hyundai Genesis, courtesy of Kevin who snapped these pictures in South Korea. It is remarkable to note that the Genesis has been on sale for merely 2 calendar years(summer 2008 release as MY2009), and from these images alone it is evident that Hyundai has several changes in store for the 2011 model year.
First and foremost, the exterior of the refreshed Genesis has received subtle modifications. Hyundai has added a new front bumper (with new lower air intakes), new LED headlamps, sportier front/side/rear skirts, rear chrome trim, and a refreshed rear fascia with integrated dual exhausts that resemble those of the Lexus LS.
Inside the new Genesis, no major changes are visible save for a new BMW-esque shift knob that likely operates the new 8-speed automatic transmission that has been announced to debut in the facelifted Genesis.
Also for the 2011 model year, there are reports of Hyundai fitting the new Genesis with its new 5.0L V8 that is touted to produce 429 horsepower. The new powertrain is also scheduled to debut under the hood of the upcoming Hyundai Equus. It is also likely that Hyundai will add new GDI (gasoline direct injection) engines to the line-up.
Brought to you by: BMW Canada
Continue reading to view more spy shots!
NOTE: Please link back to this article if you wish to post this on another website. Thanks. -Ed 
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34 comments:
oh c'mon, that shifter is a straight up copy from BMW!!
Looks like the Equus now.
Think of how many automakers have copied the Bangle rear end from BMW...Lexus, Acura, and Toytoa
The Genesis Effect
The introduction of the Genesis in 2008, and the subsequent Car of The Year Award as well as its other countless accolades, cemented the quality paradigm in the consciousness of the consumer.
Because even if Hyundai’s target demographic couldn’t afford this car, it reaffirmed Hyundai’s quality legitimacy in the most subtle, yet subliminally effective manner, like none of their other car commercials could. After all, what it said to their primary target audience was “If you think Hyundai just made good economy cars, think again!” So the Genesis effect is definitely having its desired positive impact on shifting the consumer’s perception of the brand and its cars upward. I think we will see the same thing happen with the introduction of Equus, but at an even more pronounced level.
Premium Brand without Billions
In fact, I am going to do something that I rarely ever do and that is to make a prediction, that with the launch of Equus , the jump of Hyundai further up market to “Premium” brand status will become aboslute. It matters very little that Hyundai expects to sell Equus in very low volumes here in the U.S. Remarkably, this strategic move will create lasting brand lift and won’t cost the company billions, unlike its other Asian competitors who followed the footpath of spending hundreds and hundreds of millions just to create, launch and maintain their secondary premium brand channels. A business decision which is now proving more and more corrosive to brands like Honda, Nissan and Toyota, who must invest millions in both their primary and secondary brand channels just to keep their model line-up fresh. In contrast, Hyundai, because of their correct calculation and assessment, based on an in depth study of the market, determined that it would be more cost effective to take their current brand further up market using their existing distribution channels, while saving hundreds of millions to launch newer, better built and engineered cars. By making this wise business decision, the company can continue pumping out fresh, new, bold, designs in their product pipeline It is one of the most important reasons why they are on track to take a realistic 8 to 8.5 percent of the market by year’s end.
Hyundai reminds me of a wild card football team that everyone expected to compete but not win the championship. They are a company that has worked their way into the championship series, by making all the right moves and knowing when to call the right plays, at the right time, while understanding that the game is played in quarters and one need only concentrate on getting first downs, as the team gains more ground toward the goal line.
Hyundai’s branding success story will rewrite the text books in colleges and universities on how to reinvent a brand, through the reinvention of an entire company.
Hyundai need to let the Genesis GO!!!! This is a straight rip off of Mercedes in the front and BMW in the Rear.
Does Hyundai want to be an innovator or a duplicator.
Great car overall but that shifter is hideous. My mom's E60 5 series has a beautifully sculpted shifter that also feels great in your hand. This, on the other hand, is just disgusting. Can't complain about the other changes, though.
OMG I WANT ONE NOW!
Yes is rips off the quality of materials, it rips off good styling, it rips off a great ride, it rips of the Lexus model. Good job Hyundai. I'm reading the same criticisms that I did when Lexus came on the scene. Of course they are an total failure ... NOT! I wonder if the South Koreans just got tired of their executives driving BMWs, Lexus, Mercedes to work and said to themselves "We can do just as well and our citizens should be driving our premium cars, not theirs". Nicely done.
Fred. Straight rip off means making a carbon duplicate. Unless your eyes are skewed, Genesis is NOT a straight rip off. It's rather "takes que from", "references to", "inspired by"...
Takes CUE from.
Anyway, Other than the terrible Bangled trunk lid, this looks pretty good!
I like the 2011 Genesis...Hyundai may have copied some of what you all have said, but there are luxurious touches nicer than the BMW or MB. If you are comparing the 2011 Genesis to $70,000 BMW vehicles or a $100,000 MB S550 you make good points in your discussion.
If you are an audiophile or a person who cares about receiving superior sound, you must sit in the Genesis and hear the Lexicon 17-speaker 7.1 discrete audio system. This surround sound system includes a 12-channel digital amplifier producing 528 watts of sound. The clarity of the digital HD radio is a pure pleasure to experience. The are only two manufacturers offering this system: Rolls Royce Phantom and
Hyundai Genesis.
In addition to this Logic 7 entry, please look
at all the other inclusions the Genesis offers.
Auto critics often express subjective and petty little details that could be improved.
With open eyes and ears, I congratulate Hyundai
for designing vehicles that the world can call
luxury. Ordinary citizens can enjoy this "touch of luxury" without the inflated prices of our modern world.
Sincerely, LZ from Ohio
I WOULD TRADE MY 09 GENESIS JUST FOR THE 5.0 ENGINE NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
I am enjoying all the critique about the "rip off" that Hyundai's Genesis has allegedly taken from BMW's shifter.
Funny thing, I don't hear BMW calling on the other line worried about that gear shift. Also whats really hilarious is that no one whined or bitched when Lexus placed their tail pipes flush in the rear bumpers of the LS460 same as Mercedes 500 and 600.
The more moaning I hear about Hyundai "copying" this or that, the more I know the competition must be either very worried or very scared!
I hate Hyundai and I hope the designers of this ripoff of Mercedes and BMW car get sued and die.
I have the 2010 genesis and can't wait to drive the 5.0 eqqus or 2011 genesis whichever comes first. who cares who they emmulate - i love my genesis - fun to drive - isn't that what its all about
at least Hyundai is more reliable... ranking 8th
and BMW ranking 20th... so i'm making my bet wit the genesis :D
Why do people not complain about european car companys rip offs using ideas and parts from asian companys mainly mechanical/electical,How many asian turbo's used in non asian cars.What about Rovers of the past using USA engines Rolls Royce UsA gearboxe's is also Volvo's first 4 Sp auto gearbox "Asian" Hyundai is not ripping off European prices So when will you guys wake up that you are the ones being ripped off.
Eight speed tranny, award winning motor, smart cruise control, etc. All of the real goodies that are associated with the expensive luxury brands, but at a great price. Whats not to like?
Is it because the Genesis looks like it was derived from the styling of some of the other vehicles. I depend upon the motor, trans and the drive train to get me front point A to point B....not the exterior styling.
This is exactly why we need competition. Let's think about it seriously. BMW and Mercedes has been ripping off people for years for their name tag. Hyundai is giving people a real ideas about car at reasonable price at same quality. Before bashing Hyundai, why the other companies charge so much for less quality????
Nicely said. I love my Genesis.
I just traded in my 04 BMW 530 sports package and am loving my 2011 4.6 V8 Genesis. Yes, they used the best features from the other luxury cars, but that is why I decided to buy one. I've bought 4 new BMW's over the past 10 years and other than the handling, the Genesis beats the luxury of each. Though, the handling is not that of a Beamer, it is very good and I will adjust easily.
just curious does it say 5.0 in the back?
I purchased a 2010 genesis after owning 5 BMWs. I am very pleased with my car and think the extra money can sit in my savings account and I can retire just a little bit earlier. Great job Hyundai.
FUI pecado Muestra this berlina de lujo de Hyundai de de ala compañia de aqui en Costa Rica y AL Eqqus Que le FUE entregado de Instancia de instancia de parte del Dueño del HYUNDAI EMPRESA ALA PRESIDENTA D LA REPUBLICA interioriores viendo Y SUS ESPECIFICACIONES y Exteriores , Con mal Pude corroborar Ojos y Con Toda El Génesis Razón xq le paso Por Encima Una TODAS Las Marcas Premium Europeas El Pasado 09 en Canadá Mas de 50 Periodistas q Eran expertos en EL TEMA de berlinas de lujo de de de .. DEJANDO de Lado A de Marcas de de como Volkswagen , Mercedes Benz y Audi BMW .. acabando ASI Q SE CUIDEN me ESTAS Marcas aqui en Costa Rica xq SE LES ESTA la fiesta jajaja bien " hyundai Por .. mas ante de 50 Periodistas q Eran expertos en EL TEMA de berlinas de lujo de de .. DEJANDO de Lado A de Marcas de como Volkswagen , Mercedes Benz y Audi BMW .. acabando ASI Q SE CUIDEN me ESTAS Marcas aqui en Costa Rica xq SE LES ESTA la fiesta jajaja bien " hyundai Por ..
First of all whoever writes this blog, should have invetigated the American Genesis not the Korean version. Yes there are big differences.
The American car does not have a 5.0 ltr. motor, no new gear shift knob or restyled tail pipes. I owned a 2010 and now I own a 2011. The American car does not come with the Genesis "wings" like the Korean car does.
Hi there,
This was written before the MY 2011 Genesis arrived on dealer lots. Up until then, details were non-existent. We clarified this at the top of our post if you took the liberty of reading it.
However, if the latest spy shots of the 2012 Genesis, caught testing in the US, are of any indication, we will see many revisions such as those in the prototype materialize for even North American models in the upcoming facelift.
Cheers to many happy years in your new Genesis,
William
Had our 2011 Genesis delivered three days ago. Immediately took a 400 mile maden vogage. We have owned several top of the line BMW's and Lexus (745, LS400 & 430). I understand why these companies are so concerned and why Motor Trend labeled Genesis as "the real deal".
Congratulations on your new purchase! Glad to see the Hyundai badge did not discourage you from getting what is a genuinely good luxury car.
Cheers to many years of bliss in your Genesis!
William
The Genesis has so many great and up graded
features that the most expensive BMW & MB have for so much less money. Why would anybody be stupid enough to pay tens of thousands of dollars more for a lower valued auto. Just as Lexus impacted the European Auto Industry 20 years ago so will the Hyundai line of autos.
Get ready Lexus, BMW & MB you are about to get the legs chopped right off the bottom. The sting is going to hurt quite a bit.
I am interested in knowing about car spares. I need your help in this matter. I shall be thankful to you.
Car Spares
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
I think one of your advertisements caused my internet browser to resize, you might want to put that on your blacklist.
I honestly don't understand why they're changing the exterior of the Genesis at all. The only thing it needs is the all of the performance and sports enhancements that the Equus has of the interior and what the Equus offers in it's Power train. Give the Genesis the longer wheelbase of 4 inches that the Equus has, give it all heated and cooled seats with it's AC Features, no rear entertainment package until it's Grip on the road meets or exceeds that of BMW. Needs a new Piano Black Gloss Interior Trim Option in the Cluster around the Copied iDrive Knob and it's shifter.
The Genesis should have everything under the hood that the Equus Ultimate has, but leave it's exterior alone .... it is a better looking car.
Only interior change that's needed inside is AC and It's technology additions that the Equus brings, along with a better looking shifter cluster, black, sleek, simple like a BMW. God I should design this car myself, been planning on buying a Genesis over any other for a long time and they keep screwing themselves.
That Chrome Strip on the rear end above the rear license plate needs to go, leave it exactly as is from the Original 09 Model, it's thinner chrome strip horizontally aligned is much more serious looking.
The front end Grille should remain EXACTLY the same as it's 09 and 2010 Model as well, that anonymous Grille look is one of the major components of what gave it the 09 NA car of the year award with a BMW look alike Rear end, only good change I've seen so far is the Rear tail lamps, everything else is going to drive away consumers due to it's failing looks now.
Genesis with V8 4.6 = Not enough to compete with BMW 7 Series V8's along with MB's but with IMAGINE This.
2009 or 2010 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 V8 429BHP with 376LBS Torque / 8-Speed Auto Transmission maintaining 18/26 Fuel Economy with A Much Sleeker updated Shifter Knob Cluster .... Goodbye BMW and MB.
GM Designers that just moved in to Hyundai are killing the company designs making them look like the Lincoln MKS ( Equus ) which has all the power train and drive train features better suited for the better looking Genesis. The 2012 Genesis Should look exactly the same as it's 09 and 2010 Model on the outside, But it needs all the CDC, VSM and all that magic the Equus has for Suspension control and Traction control advancements they've made. Forget the Equus, the Genesis is better looking and everyone knows it. Just get what makes the Equus drive well over bad roads and in snow in the 2012 Genesis and keep it looking as Beautiful as it's Current and Previous Exterior Models.
Don't Fix what isn't broken or you lose your install base !