The Demo Site

Like an automotive continuation of the BCS bowls, winners were crowned for the 16th North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year awards at the Detroit Auto Show this morning. Voted on by 50 automotive journalists in various media from the U.S. and Canada (where's Mexico?), winners took home a bit of brand polish and a big lump of crystal.

The award selects "the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar." For a shot at the title, eligible vehicles must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model.

Taking the monogrammed plaque in the car category was the Hyundai Genesis, beating back two other finalists, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Ford Flex. It's the first time a diesel has been a finalist, and it was only beat by a car that is gathering plaudits everywhere and for everything.

The truck field was narrowed down to the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC. With the highest available towing capacity, the highest payload capacity, and class-tying fuel economy -- not to mention being the best selling vehicle for more than three decades -- it's no wonder who won.

2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan

Hyundai made it clear from the onset that the new Genesis sedan would upset the balance in the luxury world, particularly at the expense of Lexus. Consumer Reports' latest round of testing proves that Hyundai has succeeded in dethroning Toyota's luxury arm as the latest credible entry into the "Upscale Sedan" arena. Just as Lexus was once the upstart that ruffled feathers, it's Hyundai's turn, and they are making the most of the opportunity with a win against all comers from the likes of Acura, Lincoln, Saab and Lexus, which had previously held the top overall spot with its ES350 sedan.

Despite the Genesis' win in direct testing, Consumer Reports doesn't have enough data to rate the sedan as "Recommended." The same goes for the ES350, which means that the Acura TL is the only competitor in the segment that officially gets CR's nod. Regardless, consider the gauntlet officially thrown at the feet of the established Japanese players, and we look forward to Round Two when Hyundai sends a shot over the bow of the sportscar world with the Genesis Coupe.

While Hyundai's 2010 Genesis Coupe is going to square off against Ford's muscular selling Mustang, Dearborn's pony will still have the convertible corner of its segment all to itself. Despite early reports to the contrary, Hyundai is insistent that going alfresco was never part of the plan for the GenCoupe. Company spokesman Miles Johnson went on to tell Inside Line that there aren't any convertibles in the works for any of Hyundai's offerings, and that the U.S. market doesn't support the sales numbers Hyundai would require to de-roof the Genesis. At least everyone got to gawk at some nice PhotoChops for a while, and there's always the aftermarket...

[Source: Inside Line, Photo: Nick Wilcox]

This is the sketch that follows an earlier rendering of the third generation Hyundai Equus, due in 2010. As far as sedans are concerned, it looks like Hyundai is moving toward the Aston Martin school of design -- make something everyone loves, and then make it a little different and give it another name. The coming Kia luxury sedan started it, and beneath the cartoonish anger of this Equus sketch there's a Genesis on a bad batch of nandrolone.

Underneath and inside, the car won't be lacking in either power or pleasures. Pushed by the rear wheels this time, an Equus first, initially it will be offered with the Genesis' 4.6-liter V8 and Hyundai's in-house eight-speed automatic transmission. Later, a 5.0-liter V8 will get up to 420 hp, and some speculation hints that the lump will be direct injection and cylinder deactivation. Other chatter suggests that engine will be joined by an optional 5.5-liter supercharged variant.

The bulging sheetmetal on the previous rendering won't be the only thing the car shares with the Mercedes S-Class; it will also be loaded with tech. Features will include a Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety Seatbelt System, and LED-equipped headlights and taillights. Hyundai's newest flagship is expected to be in South Korean dealerships in February.

Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

After discovering that Hyundai would be running two separate commercials during the Super Bowl to introduce the Genesis coupe to the masses, we've been trying to imagine what kind of "precision driving footage" Rhys Millen would provide "matched to a completely distinct soundtrack" from cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The two spots share a single theme, "The Epic Lap."

Rhetorical ads aside, we're genuinely excited about the upcoming Genesis Coupe, which will be offered with either a 210-horsepower (220 with premium fuel) 2.0L turbocharged four or a 306 hp 3.8L V6 driving the rear wheels. Considering how cool Hyundai's other Genesis Coupe commercials have been, we're looking forward to seeing this one too. You can count us among the millions of viewers who'll be tuning into the big game on Sunday, Feb. 1st, regardless of who happens to be playing.

Later, Hyundai will launch a contest where online users can edit their own "Epic Lap" commercials. That sounds like it should get the creative juices flowing rather nicely. Hit the jump to read the press release and thanks to all who tipped in!

Genesis Sedans from SEMA

While the trio of tuned Genesis coupes have garnered their fair share of attention, these three Genesis sedans had a few tricks up their sleeves, beginning with the RKSport model above that benefits from a Hyundai-developed screw-type supercharger mated to the 4.6-liter Tau V8.

With 11 pounds of boost huffed into the bent eight, the RKSport sedan is putting out an estimated 460 horsepower, but with a new cylinder deactivation system, fuel mileage is equivalent to that of the V6-equipped Genesis. Hyundai made it clear that it hasn't made an official decision to offer the supercharger, but expect the cylinder deactivation system to be available in the future.

In addition to the engine mods, the RKSport model receives a custom body kit, composite hood, rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler, along with Enkei LS-5 wheels, Baer brakes, a K&N air intake, Magnaflow exhaust and lowering springs.

Both the RIDES and DUB brought out their Genesis sedans to the show, and you can get up to speed below the fold and peruse the galleries for plenty of live and stock shots.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

In addition to the race-ready RMR Genesis Coupe, HKS and Street Concepts brought out their own rear-wheel-drive two-doors to the party.

The Street Concepts coupe builds off the 3.8-liter V6 model, coating the exterior in a "Stealth Fighter-inspired" paint scheme and matching it to a custom grille, tinted head and tail lights and an APR wing. 19-inch Volk hoops wrapped in Pirelli rubber fill the wheel wells and frame uprated Brembo brakes. The only substantive engine mods are a K&N cold air intake and Magnaflow cat back exhaust. Inside, it's more about show than go, with a pair of Recaro Sportster Topline seats, black suede accents and an Infinity audio system.

HKS received a turbocharged 2.0-liter model to build its masterpiece, and with a GT2835R turbo upgrade, HKS stainless tubular manifold, intercooler, sequential blow-off valve, carbon fiber air box and cat-back exhaust, the HKS Genesis is a good indication of what the first round of modded coupes could look like when it goes on sale this Spring. In addition to the engine upgrades, the suspension has been swapped out with HKS Hipermax III coilovers, along with a functional aero kit designed by Ken Style - HKS's Time Attack partner.

Hit the jump for more details and video of the reveal.