Hyundai made waves when it unveiled a V8-powered luxury saloon at the
New York Auto Show. The new rear-wheel drive Genesis concept hints at the future styling direction for the company and demonstrates its ambitions in the luxury vehicle segment.
With stylish details such as LED lighting both front and rear and a recurring prong design used in the wing mirrors, tail lamps and wheel design, the exterior shape is pleasing to the eye, but many of these elements will undergo revisions before the concept hits the showroom.
"The taillight and headlight shapes will change before production starts and the grill execution will be different, but what's between the wheels is what you'll see on the road," Hyundai Chief Designer, Joel Piaskowski, told
The Car Enthusiast.
The reason for these changes lies beyond the common cost issues. Though the concept was penned at Hyundai's design studios in California (in collaboration with the Korean studio), the final production version will be created entirely in Korea, where the interior will also be finalised.
The all-new V8 engine that powers the car will remain the car's strong suit. Producing over 300bhp and more than 300lb.ft of torque, the powerplant is mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with manual control capability. This combination is claimed to propel the concept to 60mph in less than six seconds.
Hyundai's new rear-wheel drive architecture underpins the Genesis concept car, which boasts a 53/47 front/rear weight distribution and a multi-link suspension all-round. Four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated at the front) scrub off speed.
Piaskowski was hushed about interior details, but did say that it "will be very premium." The production version of the Genesis concept will replace the Korean automaker's Dynasty model in its home market and is expected to be launched in the US by mid to late 2008. It has not been determined when it will become available in other markets or whether it will be sold in the UK at all, but there is no doubt that Hyundai has the established luxury car makers in its sights.
Eric Gallina - 7 Apr 2007