Hyundai Rohens launched in China at $58,267

Shanghai, September 23 (Gasgoo.com) The Hyundai Genesis goes on sale in China  today as Hyundai Rohens, with prices ranging from 398,000 yuan ($58,267) to 520,000 yuan, Beijing Hyundai announced this morning.

The car was initially scheduled for launch in July but was then postponed to late September because of the Beijing Olympic Games in August and China's implementation of consumption tax on big cars.

The Hyundai Rohens is a rear-wheel drive, full-size car available in China with a 3.3L V6 producing 262 horsepower, and a 3.8L V6 producing 290 horsepower. Both V6 engines are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Another model equipped with an all-new V8 'Tau' engine will also enter China later this year. A high-output six-speed ZF transmission deals with the higher power Tau V8 unit.

Hyundai reportedly benchmarked the BMW 5-Series sedan during the Rohens' development; the Genesis body-in-white exceeds BMW's in torsional rigidity by 14%, and has more interior volume than the Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 7-Series.

Hyundai Rohens'body shell is rich in ultra-high-tensile steel. The Hyundai Rohens coupe is lighter than the Infiniti G37, and its chassis is also 24 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than the BMW E46 M3. The rear-wheel drive provides a 55:45 front/rear weight distribution.

The automaker plans to sell 3,000 units of Rohens in China in 2009. Globally, Hyundai targets 55,000 units in sales of the Genesis in 2008 (35,000 in Korea and another 20,000 overseas) and 45,000 in 2009.