(I learned about these two vehicle models while looking for ways to improve my beloved Tony. I may be replacing Tony sooner than planned. Heh, just kidding :P)
Many world-famous auto makes are based in Asia or Europe. Asia is home to reliable auto makes such as Toyota and Honda, while performance-oriented auto makes like Jaguar and Maserati hail from Europe. Of course, import cars from either continent have their unique edges and strengths.
But the auto world seems taken with two import cars in particular– the 2009 Ferrari California and the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. As dissimilar as these two vehicles are, they’re both designed to give consumers worldwide utmost performance and luxury.
2009 Ferrari California
Let’s take a brief look at the 2009 Ferrari California. I’ve always thought of a European import car as the bad boy or the bad girl you just can’t resist falling for. Attractive, powerful, and built to thrill - what’s not to like about a European GT?
The 2009 Ferrari California, in particular, is the stuff many drivers’ dreams are made of. The 2009 Ferrari California can go from zero to 60mph in less than 4 seconds, thanks to a V8 engine that produces as much as 460 horsepower. And you don’t have to worry about safety when you’re speeding down the highway. Auto engineers at Ferrari equipped the 2009 California with a high-performance traction control system and an equally high-performance braking carbon-ceramic braking system.
Leather upholstery, leather-trimmed interior, and a retractable hard top makes this Ferrari serious eye candy, too.
In my opinion, however, the coolest thing about the 2009 Ferrari California is its keyless ignition feature. All you’d have to do to get the California’s engine running is step on the brake pedal and press a button on the dashboard. (Of course, you have to have the key fob on your person.) How’s that for convenience?
2009 Hyundai Genesis
If a European sports car or GT is like that mysterious bad boy you just can’t forget, an Asian import vehicle is more like the boy or the girl you settle down with. Of course, that’s not to say that European imports are undependable. Asian import vehicles just come with more easily-usable features, and more attainable price tags. Priced at around $30,000, “Genesis provides a potent combination of performance, luxury, and value” (according to John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America VP for Product Development and Strategic Planning).
Hyundai currently offers three engines for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis: a 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 engine, and a 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine. The Tau V8 engine promises a zero-to-60 mph sprint under 6 seconds, and produces around 368 horsepower. Perhaps not as speedy as a sports car, but certainly fast enough to satisfy a speedster. And if the Genesis’ price tag alone doesn’t save you enough money, an overdrive lock-up torque converter allows you to cut back on fuel.
Apparently, Hyundai hadn’t scrimped on creature comforts from the 2009 Genesis, too. The front seats can be heated or cooled according to your fancy. And aside from a cruise control feature, 8 ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear bumpers help you park quickly and easily.
Can you imagine how tough it would be if you had to choose between these two magnificent import cars? The 2009 Ferrari California and the 2009 Hyundai Genesis each have pros that can easily win any driver over.
Well, I, for one, am glad I don’t have to make that choice anytime soon. 
