2012 Hyundai Genesis Video - 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Numerous changes are in store for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, highlighted by mild styling revisions, a new direct-injected 3.8-liter Lambda V-6 and—best of all—the arrival of the sporty new 5.0 R-Spec model, which boasts a 5.0-liter V-8 with 429 bhp, making the sedan the most powerful production Hyundai ever.

First, the visuals. On the stand at the Chicago Auto Show it’s easy to see the new grille, replete with a more aggressive front fascia with larger air intakes and redesigned headlamps now fitted with LED accents. On the side, new 17-in. alloy wheels are complemented by brushed aluminum trim for the windows, plus more pronounced rocker panels that flow back into a new rear fascia with dual asymmetrical exhaust tips and redesigned taillamps.

Under the hood, the Lambda 3.8-liter has been significantly improved. Thanks to direct-injection technology and a raised compression ratio, this 4-cam 24-valve aluminum V-6 now puts out 333 bhp, a gain of 43 horsepower with no increase in displacement. What’s more, peak torque has increased from 264 lb.-ft. to 291. As before, this Lambda engine has variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides, plus a variable intake manifold and a steel timing chain. And thanks in part to a new variable-vane oil pump, the engine is also 7 percent more efficient than before, which equates to impressive highway fuel economy of 29 mpg, a 2 mpg improvement.

Also significant, all the new 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans will be fitted with a Hyundai-developed 8-speed automatic transmission. That’s two more ratios than before, in the interest of increased smoothness and efficiency. Hyundai says this new transmission is 6 percent more efficient than the former 6-speed, and will offer Shiftronic manual shift capability. Moreover, all 2012 Genesis sedans will benefit from larger brake rotors (4-piston calipers on all V-6 models) and suspension calibrations that are said to minimize the traditional compromise between handling precision and ride comfort.

Although we haven’t driven the sporty new 5.0 R-Spec model yet, we already know it’s our kind of car. To begin, it has a great new engine, a direct-injected 5.0-liter Tau V-8 that produces 429 bhp at 6400 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. It’s a bored-out version of the 4.6-liter V-8—which is still available in theGenesis—also boasting a raised compression ratio and direct injection. To help cope with the new power, the Tau’s V-8 block has a revised bed plate for added rigidity, as well as camshaft carriers to improve valvetrain stability. With continuously variable valve timing on intake and exhaust, plus low-friction coatings and a variable induction system, the engine—which will be standard equipment on the large 2012 Equus sedan—gets nearly the same fuel economy (16/25) as last year’s 4.6-liter V-8 (17/26).

As you’d expect of a sporty new Genesis, the R-spec has more aggressive chassis tuning. To that end, the anti-roll bars are 1-mm larger front and rear, and the car is available with optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires on 19-in. wheels with a premium machined finish. Moreover, the steering calibration has been tuned to match the improved performance of the car, which also boasts the larger front brake rotors of the 2012 Genesis V-8 (13.6 in. versus the 13.0s on the 2011 Genesis 4.6).

In addition to all the new styling cues for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, the R-Spec has unique headlights with dark chrome inserts, plus a badge on the trunk and specially embroidered floor mats. The R-Spec will be offered in only three colors: Black Noir, Titanium Gray and Platinum Metallic. All three will be offered with a black leather interior and a black-leather steering wheel to help differentiate the R-Spec from the standard Genesis 4.6 model.

Besides daytime running lights, which are standard on all the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans, the 3.8 Premium Package model is available with a new lane-departure warning system, power-folding outside mirrors, heated rear seats and a rearview camera. Also adding a pleasant technological twist on that particular Genesis model is a thin-film-transistor (TFT) gauge cluster and readout.