Genesis EQ900

Genesis, once used as Hyundai's premium saloon, has now spawned into a standalone luxury brand in the same way Citroen did with DS Automobiles, showing that it's the ideal moment to separate the men from the boys when it comes to cars. Yep, separating luxury cars from the mainstream line of cars in the pursuit of dominance. With the so-called "Genesis Motors" now a luxury car brand for Hyundai Motor Company, the first Genesis car in the lineup is the flagship replacement to the Hyundai Equus. It's called the EQ900.

2016 Genesis EQ900

Known to be South Korea's take on MB's S-Class and BMW's 7-Series, the new Genesis EQ900 emphasizes sovereignty over style, and from every angle, you can see that its sovereign feel as a flagship saloon truly matches the dynamism similar to European premium full-size saloons. You can really tell whoever has one does mean business on the city streets and on the open road. Because it focuses on Genesis' "Human-Centered Luxury" philosophy, the new EQ900 promises to breathe a new life out of the luxury car stakes, delivering cutting-edge technology and a more lively driving feel to indulge with.

2016 Genesis EQ900 interior

So, what to expect about the EQ900's design? From every angle, the design looks rather excellent for a premium saloon made by the Koreans and while you can expect a hint of Hyundai on the front side, the rear side is somewhat similar to the S-Class or rather a Cadillac XTS but anyway, that design adds a striking feel to the EQ900 and as for the interior, it's well crafted and well luxurious. From an array of gadgets implemented on all sides, a Nappa leather, wooden trim, Lexicon Sound System, and many other conveniences in store, the EQ900 is well-qualified to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle if you can afford to hire a driver as well as being a car to be driven by yourself. No one can resist the temptation of the EQ900's comforts once you step inside.

2016 Genesis EQ900

The Genesis EQ900 is available with three different engine choices ranging from V6 3.3-liter T-GDI (370PS); V6 3.8-liter GDI (315PS); or V8 5.0-liter GDI (425PS), all mated with an 8-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. The V8 model (which is also used on the Quantum model of the Kia K9) can go to 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds thanks to its massive power and torque, but the first-ever 3.3L V6 T-GDi engine is what really keeps the EQ900 very amused and because this is turbocharged, it will take 0-100kph in 6.2 seconds and capable of 80-120kph overtaking maneuvers in 13.0 seconds. That sounds like a lot but with the automatic gearbox at hand, looks like it's going to be a tough slob on the long drive ahead.

Of course, this is still a rear-wheel drive saloon, but the EQ900 is also offered with HTRAC all-wheel drive system, which electronically controls torque split between the axles depending on which driving conditions the driver is on, providing a well-stabled ride on slippery conditions and allows the driver to select different driving modes, Smooth on rainy weather we're having but not brilliant in terms of thrashing about because of being too grippy.

Like newer Hyundais of today, the new EQ900 is well-honed at the Nurburgring to deliver unprecedented handling similar to European premium saloons and thanks to its multi-link suspension paired with either High-Performance Dampers or the Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension system, the EQ900 feels livelier to drive with and well suitable enough for escaping conflicts while having a wealthy client at the back seat. Sounds fit for a car chase scene in a spy movie but not now because let's move on to safety.

Because of the "Human Centered Luxury" ideology, the safety features offered on the EQ900 promise to be less compromising from its rigid body frame, which is the strongest in its class, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Active Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Driver Attention Alert, to Smart High Beam Assist and Around View Monitor.

2016 Genesis EQ900

The EQ900, the first of the Genesis luxury brand from Hyundai, starts at 71,700,000 to 114,900,000 Korean Won (estimated $61,000 to $97,200), which sounds very expensive for a Korean-made car of that size but it's surprisingly less expensive than the recent BMW 7-Series.

This is just the start because, by next year, it will be sold as the Genesis G90 overseas, including in major markets like North America, China, and the Middle East. The Genesis lineup will be expanded next year with the facelifted second-generation Hyundai Genesis rebranded as the Genesis G80, made to compete against the next BMW 5-Series and MB E-Class, as well as Genesis' take on BMW's 3-Series and MB's C-Class called G70. A luxury crossover and a replacement to the Genesis Coupe will come out later and all Genesis models will be launched by the end of the decade. This is going to be one heck of an ambitious goal set up by the Korean automotive giant and we can't hardly wait what surprises will pull on the sleeves of Hyundai's luxury Genesis Motors brand.

Available colors: Marble White, Platinum Silver, Gold Scent, Fine Titanium, Cosmo Grey, Neptune Blue, Tan Brown, and Onyx Black.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company