Genesis guns premiums

HYUNDAI

Genesis guns premiums

After unveiling the production version of the Genesis saloon in Detroit this month, Hyundai will unleash the coupe' version at the New York Auto Show in April.

Although the coupe' body you see here is a concept car first shown at the LA motor show late last year, sources say it's virtually the article you'll see in the showrooms minus the carbon hood and garish air intakes. The market-ready saloon also evolved practically unchanged from the teaser version shown in New York last year.

The Genesis has been conceived as a cut-price alternative to luxury cars like the BMW 3-series and Infiniti G, albeit with more metal and interior space.

The Genesis gets rear-wheel-drive, V8 and V6 petrol engines producing between 300-375hp and six-speed automatic transmissions.

Also on the cards is a 2.0-litre inline-four turbo unit producing around 200hp.

Although Hyundai has embarked on a campaign to shore up its shoddy image in Thailand, it won't have the chance to sell the Genesis in the country yet. Hyundai still has no plans of building right-hand-drive versions of the Genesis as its primary markets are Korea, America and continental Europe.

The Genesis coupe' is not to be confused with the next generation Coupe', aka Tiburon in other markets, which is a smaller front-wheel-drive two-door Hyundai.

However, factions supporting right-hand-drive markets are requesting from the parent firm to supply the new turbocharged 2.0 for the all-new Coupe' since the current 2.7-litre V6 only appeals to the American market.

The Coupe' currently on sale in Thailand uses a normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine to attract 30% excise tax. In turbocharged form, the Coupe' would still be able to enjoy the same rate.