Why the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Debuts Week Earlier than Planned

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The 2015 Hyundai Genesis, which was supposed to make its North American debut at the Detroit Auto Show will instead pop up one week earlier at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which shows you how important that show has become in the automotive world.

Hyundai announced that the 2015 Genesis would be heading to PepCom’s Digital Experience to premier Hyundai’s next generation Blue Link telematics platform and infotainment system prior to its debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. PepCom is a company that debuts new technology to technology journalists around the world through media-only events like Digital Experience, which takes place on Mon., Jan. 6, 2014, the evening before the CES show opens at
7:00 to 10:30 p.m. PT.

CLARIFICATION - Hyundai PR says only the interior of the car will be unveiled at CES. The exterior of the car will be camouflaged in such a way that attendees can't tell what it looks like precisely.

Two of Hyundai's top Connected Car gurus will be at the program: Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, Customer Connect and Service Business Development for Hyundai Motor America; and, Michael Deitz, senior group manager of Connected Car at Hyundai Motor America.

So, why is any of this important? It demonstrates more and more how auto manufacturers around the world are manipulating the news. PR folks are learning from The White House and other politicians on how to drive the news. Is it a bad thing? Automotive journalists hate it but it's a highly effective way of getting a message out on your own terms.

Also, by debuting the 2015 Hyundai Genesis a week earlier in Las Vegas, Hyundai is giving itself exposure in a whole new environment to sell the near-luxury sedan: the technology journalism world. The big challenge is getting the tech journalists to pay attention because that night PepCom is also featuring new technology from more than 200 leading tech companies such as Acer, AMD, Canon, Chevy, GoPro, HP, Lenovo, LG, Nikon, Samsung, Sony, TiVo, Toshiba, and WD.

Did you see the other automotive name in that list? Hyundai is going to be competing against Chevrolet for attention, too. That's in addition to the main show, which has a strong presence by Audi.

Time was an automotive company coming to CES was big news. Now, in recognition of the sheer profit that is made from technology, OEMs are becoming more and more of a presence the first full week of January in Las Vegas.

Here is what the new 2015 Hyundai Genesis will feature when it comes to new technology:

* Next-generation Blue Link with destination search engine powered by Google
* Genesis Intelligent Assistant app
* aha, SoundHound and Pandora integration with smartphone
* Hyundai Assurance Connected Care powered by Blue Link
* All-new infotainment system with:

  • Advanced Voice Recognition (AVR)
  • Completely redesigned touch interface and navigation
  • Swipe gestures for quick access to core features
  • HD Radio technology

Lets look at some of the latter technology first. The all-new Bluelink infotainment system is going to be amazing from early indicators. Reliable advanced voice recognition will see the Korean manufacturer apart from high-end luxury vehicles if the system works and quickly learns your voices. Ford has had some notable voice recognition disasters with its MyLink system like Boston Globe writer Craig Fitzgerald noted in a great video.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis, in addition to being a technology showcase, also promises to be the best Genesis yet. The new 2015 Hyundai Genesis is going to have a standard head up display for the driver. It looks like it is going to have speed, navigation and cruise control combined. Expect it to be configurable in different ways based on how the Genesis is equipped.

Blind spot detection is also going to be offered on the 2015 Hyundai Genesis. Consider this one of the few trickle downs from the Hyundai Equus. It's surprising that the Genesis didn't offer this before but it could be a nod towards the older, more affluent buyers who are attracted to the Genesis sedan.

Another feature being handed down from the 2014 Hyundai Equus is around view monitoring. The multi-camera system lets you see what is happening on all sides of the car. It's immensely helpful in a wide variety of situations.

There will be a choice of two engines: the 3.8-liter DOHC V-6 or the 5.0-liter DOHC V-8. The former produces 333 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 291 lb-ft of torque @ 5100. The V8, according to estimates, will have 429 hp @ 6400 rpm and 376 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm.