Aftermarket Blue Link

I was wondering if anyone had heard if Hyundai had any plans to make an aftermarket version of its new Blue Link telematics system? My 2009 Genesis 3.8 isn't equipped with the tech package, so I have always wanted some sort of integrated GPS. I have been looking at the OnStar FMV mirror, which I like but it lacks the auto dimming and Homelink that my current rear view mirror has.

Thanks!!

I strongly doubt it, since some of the features (e.g., remote start and door unlocking) would be expensive to retrofit.

The answer is no. I asked the question when I was given a tour of blue link by an official representative, and I also asked Ricky Lau during a web chat on Hyundai Think Tank a few months back. They both said "no".

All new models released from NOW ON will have blue link. There will be no retrofitting of older models, unfortunately.

Last week I purchased a new Garmin 40LM to replace my 5 year old Garmin. It was on sale last week at Best Buy for $90.00 shipped and including sales tax. It is far better than my old one (which cost me $580.00 on sale when new). Both my old and new unit give the directions via voice speaking of street names and directions, etc. The Garmin 40LM comes with free lifetime map updates (issued quarterly), and it was almost as cheap to by the 40LM as it was to purchase map upgrade for my old one.

They also make the 50LM which is larger, but I thought it was a little too large to place on my dash (I use the Garmin bean-bag mount). I don't use the GPS that often and just take it off my dash and place under black towel (I have a black interior) to hide it. Some people may think that is inconvenient, but I can place it closer to my line of sight than would be the case with factory GPS, and obviously I am saving big bucks over the factory unit (and much cheaper to replace if it breaks). It is also small enough to fit in my pants pocket if I want to take it with me.

Garmin (and others) also make units that respond to your voice commands, but they obviously cost more, but still much cheaper than factory units.

Yea, we bought our Genesis in Aug and (go figure) it has no Blue Link. We have tech/prem package so you'd think we'd be able to upgrade this 40-and something thousand dollar LUXURY vehicle to accomodate Blue Link so that we'd have the same basic crap that even a GM product can get. Load of crap. I'm not wanting to replace my current rear view mirror with an OnStar FMV unit, as well.

I bought my Genesis yesterday and during the final walkthrough, sales manager said that Blue Link was going to be in all 2013 Hyundai's and it could be retrofitted on the Genesis. No info on price, but that is what I was told yesterday.

So, does this mean that the 2013 Genesis sedan will have it (Is there some place we can get official confirmation?), or do we have to wait until the Genesis gets a major "refresh"/re-design? If it will be included, does anyone know when the 2013 sedan will be available for purchase?

I confirmed this with the Hyundai reps at the NY Auto Show last year (and on a chat with John K last year).

Blue Link will NOT be available to any current models. Only on NEW and REDESIGNED models, going forward.

Unfortunately for some of us, mid 2012 is when this went into effect, and as such, our 2012 Genesis sedans will not be getting Blue Link until the NEXT redesign, which, according to John Krafcik, is "a way off".

Below is a summary of the last web chat with John, in case you're interested in some of the other "happenings" from Hyundai.

Sorry for being the bearer of bad news.

=== Summary from last web chat with John Krafcif ===

Ruissimo said:

They released the chat transcript. Here are the highlights I came across:

EQUUS

• When asked about an "R Spec Equus", John responded with "Hmmmmm..." and then said, "S-Class AMG... meet Equus R Spec".
• He had a similar reaction when asked about a Hyundai Convertible model
• Next gen Equus will also have AWD - confirmed

GENESIS

• They talked about the redesigned Genesis Coupe, whether the changes were good or not - everyone was a little more positive on the exterior than I had anticipated...
• Genesis Coupe on the lots in March (they said the same thing about the sedan last year, and it was mid to late summer for the most part - my dealer STILL doesn't have any 2012's!)
• They said the next redesign of the Genesis will have AWD. When asked if the sedan would have AWD, John said "SEDAN FOR SURE AWD"
• According to him, "Next Gen Genesis Sedan a way out..." (good news for me, just bought one last week LOL)
• John is still driving a Genesis R Spec as his daily driver - when asked what his favorite Hyundai to drive was... he said "Genesis R Spec sedan, black on black" - I LOVE THIS GUY!

AZERA

• Talked about the redesigned Azera. 29mpg highway, ultra-competitive in the market, etc.
• Hyundai Circle pricing on Azera will be slow to roll out due to shortage of volume initially

VELOSTER

• John asked if Hyundai should do a Veloster R Spec. What do you think the answers were? LOL
• VT in showrooms in the summer
• (TOP SECRET) VT will start at $22,000 - includes std leather, heated seats, 18" wheels, led taillights, headlights accents, 450 watt dimension audio, push-button start

ELANTRA GT

• Lots of talk about the Elantra GT, and how every family type will be able to buy an Elantra to fit their needs (GT, Sedan, Coupe, 5-door)
• No plans for a turbo in the GT

BLUE LINK

• Blue Link remote start STILL not available - they're working on it and "feel really bad they're so late with it, but they want to get it right"

OTHER

• No plans for a new plant in the US (officially) - when someone said, "John is waiting for approval from Korea" he responded with "No comment"
• Someone brought up Tesla, and John said, "Tesla needs a lifetime warranty on their electric/hybrid batteries, like we have" - good to see that's here to stay
• NY Auto Show debut for 2013 Santa Fe confirmed - that chrome grill is in fact REAL. He confirmed it has "a bit of bling" and "looks great in person, trust me" and that it is "stronger and more masculine than the current gen" - FYI, that grill screams Ford Edge to me... I guess we'll have to take him at his word
• No plans for a Luxury Division
• May hold a Think tank reception at the NYAS - yay!
• No plans for a minivan...
• Gadgets: Cooled seats will be a focus going forward. Lexicon is here to stay (at least in the Genesis and Equus). And they're "big fans of Pandora..." - I took that to mean full integration with Blue Link (eventually), but that's just me

==========

That's about all I got from it. Some new info, but not much.

Click to expand...

Ruissimo said:

Blue Link will NOT be available to any current models. Only on NEW and REDESIGNED models, going forward.

Unfortunately for some of us, mid 2012 is when this went into effect, and as such, our 2012 Genesis sedans will not be getting Blue Link until the NEXT redesign, which, according to John Krafcik, is "a way off".

Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, Ruissimo. That's a shame for sure. I've been quite interested in the Genesis Sedan for a while now and recently had a dealer show me the nav and voice commands. All works well (Although slow/cumbersome) until you get to the street level where it seems to become very inaccurate.

Seeing as you own a 2012 R Spec, I was hoping you could tell me your experience with the voice commands and nav? I'd hate to get such a nice car and still have to rely on my smartphone sitting next to me when there is a perfectly nice display right in front of me. Is there some trick to it?

Thanks

Unfortunately, I haven't even began using voice commands in my car (I've only had it for a little over a week).

I input the navigation destination twice so far, and input it manually before driving. It worked perfectly, and I found the interface very easy to use - on par with my wife's Garmin. The destinations were exactly where the system said they'd be. I will be honest... it took me a little while to "learn" the timing of the system and turns - it is different than the Garmin - the Garmin seems to warn me faster, or at least that's my impression. But no complaints so far.

I plan on spending a few hours learning all the voice commands this week - I believe most of them were included in that little supplement booklet that came with the manual. I don't really need them for the audio - mostly for the phone and nav.

PS -> Don't feel too bad about Blue Link - though it is a really cool system (which I've already had hands-on experience with), it isn't something I think I'm gonna miss for the next 3 to 5 years.

• ASSURANCE was not something I was interested in - sure, the vehicle report would be nice, but I know cars well enough to know when something is wrong, and the dealer can give me details when that happens... for free.

• GUIDANCE is also something I can live without. I don't live in a big city, and I don't travel a lot outside my home base. This feature is wasted on me. Besides, I don't do a lot of "on the fly" driving - I make my plans beforehand, and those features are all on the internet before I leave my house/work.

• ESSENTIALS I will miss a little. It would be awesome to be able to start my car from my phone - though that feature isn't working yet - and the other features are sort of cool. But do I NEED those features? I could buy a remote start system that would let me do most of those things nowadays... for a couple hundred bucks!

Yes that's true. I was at my local Hyundai dealer this past Saturday getting free oil change #2 of 4. I'm good friends with the parts manager and I had asked him about the Blue Link for my 2012 Genny. He spent quite some time looking and making some calls, but couldn't find a "kit" or a retrofit kit or anything related to it. Just seems rather, well, gauche' that Hyundi would not see fit to BlueLink the Genny. Such is life.

Well, after reading this, maybe it's just as well that my car remain an internet-less idiot.

http://www.networkworld.com/slidesh...?source=NWWNLE_nlt_security_2012-03-12#slide1

I have been told no during a chat on think tank. I'll be meeting with John K at the NY auto show and can confirm or deny. That said, feel free to throw out any questions you want answers on...

Yea, like I said, in light of all the recent car hacks in the news, it's just as well the car cannot be 'connected' to the net.

More info on 'hacking internet equipped vehicles'..

http://www.simplysecurity.com/2012/02/09/car-electronics-could-be-next-cybersecurity-frontier/

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20085131-48/remote-unlock-and-start-for-cars-hacked/

http://phys.org/news/2011-01-successfully-hack-automobiles-passive-keyless.html

https://www.technologyreview.es/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=39563

does the 2010 4.6 is compatible with blue link

No - Blue Link will only be available on the next generation Genesis. Model Year 2014.