#genesis

Hyundai’s upscale 2012 Azera sedan will debut at the Los Angeles auto show this November. The redesigned Azera will feature the brand’s “fluidic sculpture” design, a vast improvement over the tame current design.

Before there was Rhys Millen tearing up Pikes Peak, there was Rod Millen claiming records capturing the Unlimited crown fives times in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. But now that he has successfully handed the motorsports torch to his son Rhys Millen, Rod has taken more of a backseat approach since 2000 from Pikes Peak. Sure he followed in his son’s footsteps trying his hand at drifting a Mazda RX-8 briefly, but it’s been over a decade since we’ve seen Rod Millen at the infamous Hill Climb.

Hyundai’s new U.S marketing chief wants to improve customer perception brand by improving quality and design to enhance the consumers on a more emotional level.

Red Bull has made a name for itself with crazy motorsport antics. The latest stunt is profiled in a video of their drifters, Rhys Millen and Ryan Tuerck, piloting Red Bull-sponsored machines sideways through Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. The tandem street drifting was part of a promotion for the Formula Drift event in Atlanta and even gave the mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, a ride-along.

Rhys Millen was piloting his Hyundai Genesis Coupe while Ryan Tuerck was in his Pontiac Solstice Coupe, which is now retired from competition – Tuerck is now competing with a Chevrolet Camaro. Needless to say, Red Bull did a fantastic job capturing it all on video for us to enjoy.

Check out the video after the jump:

With Hyundai‘s recent sales success, the Korean automaker is considering expanding its product offerings to include new models in the luxury segment that would rival the most popular and high-volume vehicles currently offered by Japanese and German competitors. While Hyundai already offers the Genesis Sedan and the new Equus flagship model, the two vehicles being studied include a direct rival to the BMW 3 Series and as well as a crossover that would target the Lexus RX350.

Hyundai‘s new Accent was the star of the companies exhibit at this year’s Beijing Auto Show, but the debut of two new engines and a new automatic transmission will have broader implications for the rest of the company’s lineup.

The Genesis appears to be the right car for the times, a well-priced luxury sedan from an automaker known more for well-built entry-level economy cars. In other words, the Genesis is all about value.

With a V6 and optional 380 hp V8 powerplant the Genesis is the new flagship of the Hyundai lineup and is the Korean manufacturer’s first true luxury vehicle.

In fact, initial reviews of the Genesis state that Hyundai might have out-Lexused Lexus with this ES350 killer.

While it certainly isn’t a sign of the times that a luxury car has won the North American Car of the Year award, it is a sign of the times that the luxury sedan is an economical one with a starting price of just over $32,000.

It should be pointed out that not only is this the first North American Car of the Year win for Hyundai but it is the first time a Korean car manufacturer has won.

Official release after the jump:

Every year Ward’s announces its “10 Best Engines” list for the upcoming year and the document reads as you might expect with entries from Audi, Lexus, Honda and BMW. But this year there was one very large surprise… Hyundai!

That’s right, the Korean manufacturer is already getting respect for its surprisingly powerful V8 engine that is offered in the new Genesis Sedan.

The 4.6-liter V8 engine makes 375hp at 6500 rpm and 333 ft-lbs of torque at 3500 rpm (using premium fuel), enough to propel the Genesis to 60 mph in an astonishingly quick 5.7 seconds. (Yes…. This is a Hyundai we’re talking about).

See the full 2009 Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, the official release and a gallery of Genesis pictures after the jump: