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"  On Sale Date: Now Price: $39,850 - $47,350  Competitors: Mercedes Benz E-Class, Infiniti M series, Lexus GS, BMW 5-Series, Chrysler 300, Cadillac CTS Powertrains: 3.8-liter V6, 333 hp, 291 lb-ft; 4.6-liter V8 385 hp, 333 lb-ft; 5.0-liter V8, 429 hp, 376 lb-ft; 8-speed automatic with manual mode, RWD  EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 16-19/25-29  What&amp;#039;s New: The Genesis R-Spec sport sedan\u2014the cream of the 2012 Genesis crop\u2014gets Hyundai&amp;#039;s most-powerful engine ever, a gasoline direct-injection (GDI) 5.0-liter V8 pumping out 429 hp, coupled to an all-new, proprietary 8-speed automatic transmission. Versions of the transmission appear throughout the Genesis sedan range; this is the second time it&amp;#039;s been freshened up in only four years on the market. The base Lambda V6 gets GDI as well, and even with a 15 percent gain in power to a best-in-class 333 hp, the car&amp;#039;s fuel economy rating improves by 1 mpg city and 2 mpg highway. Product planner Ricky Lao says that the previous 4.6-liter Tau V8 continues in the Hyundai sedans, though it has previously accounted for only 20 percent of sales, and the new R-Spec version with GDI will cut into that further.  Tech Tidbit: The 8-speed transmission that Hyundai developed in-house carries 130 patented technologies, including direct-control solenoid valves. These yield smoother shifts with a 40 percent reduction in pressure variations compared with previous hydraulic control systems, and they replace the functions formerly served by various body control valves. The transmission can skip shifts as the electronics deem necessary, has an enhanced torque converter lock-up strategy and employs Shiftronic to let the driver shift manually. And each car in the line has its own specially tweaked transmission, with gear ratios tailored to each engine&amp;#039;s power delivery characteristics.  Driving Character: The R-Spec we sampled over two-lane roads and interstate highways outside Las Vegas (including the Valley of Fire) was a real rocket, reminding us of German autobahn cruisers with its abundant power and extra-long overdrive, which lets it lope quietly across the countryside. With more than 300 lb-ft of torque on tap beginning at 1500 rpm and a maximum curb weight under 4200 lbs, the Genesis doesn&amp;#039;t really need 8 speeds\u2014it gets up and runs in any gear. The R-Spec also gets sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and shocks as well as a larger hollow-tube antiroll bar. The steering and transmission are tuned for crisper response. In truth, even the uprated 3.8-liter V6 (which we also sampled on the same drive) has ample power, and the added cogs in the transmission improve fuel economy without compromising performance. Favorite Detail: Among other subtle exterior upgrades, Hyundai added LED accents to the headlamps. Unlike other automakers that expose bare LEDs as if to boast about the technology itself, Hyundai uses a frosted panel to create a distinctive signature.  Driver&amp;#039;s Grievance: Hyundai has paddle shifters behind the steering wheel in the Genesis coupe, but they&amp;#039;re nowhere to be found in the sedan. The sporty R-Spec version of the sedan should at least offer them. While we&amp;#039;re grousing, the dashboard indicator light that shows you what gear you&amp;#039;ve selected with the console shifter could be larger or a different color to make it easier to pick out at a glance. The Bottom Line: It seems that during the economic downturn, buyers in the near-luxury segment have been more willing to give up owning a prestige brand than to accept a smaller or less powerful car. That&amp;#039;s helped Hyundai&amp;#039;s near-luxury car break in: Genesis sales are up 33 percent between 2010 and 2011. Adding power and technology while improving fuel efficiency for 2012, Hyundai still wields a huge price advantage when compared with those prestige brands; the Genesis 3.8 liter is $12,000 less than an Infiniti M37, and the R-Spec is more than $17,000 cheaper than a less powerful BMW 550i. Genesis has been gaining market share for 23 consecutive months, but with two significant engineering upgrades (not mere facelifts) in 2010 and 2012 on a car introduced only in 2009, it&amp;#039;s clear Hyundai is not content to rest on its laurels. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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