DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Genesis launches G80 Sport

Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, has revealed a hotter new version of its large sedan at the Detroit motor show.

Called the G80 Sport, the new model variant has been created to become the new performance flagship of the luxury sedan's line-up.

Originally beginning life as the Hyundai Genesis, the Korean car-maker rechristened its large sedan G80 when it launched its premium brand.

The new 'Sport' trim is the brand's first attempt to rival BMW and Mercedes-AMG's recently launched '43' models.

That's why, under the bonnet the G80 Sport, the big sedan gains a more powerful twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 delivering 272kW and 510Nm.

Claimed to be all-new, the powerful turbo petrol engine is shared with the Kia Stinger GT that was also unveiled at this year’s North American car show.

Compared to its less powerful V6 sibling the G80 Sport comes with larger 19-inch alloys, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a mesh grille in place of the standard G80's slatted version and a subtle body kit.

Inside, instead of wood trim there's carbon-fibre and instead of large armchairs there's sport seats and a sportier steering wheel.

The new engine comes combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission that's been tuned for sportier, quicker shifts.

Handling, meanwhile, is said to have been improved by sports suspension.

Both rear-wheel and all-wheel will be available.

Genesis hasn't released performance figures, but it's thought the G80 Sport's light weight will see the sedan out-perform the powerful V8 available in the US and hit 100km/h in less than 5.0 seconds.

It's already been confirmed the Genesis G80 will arrive in Australia in the middle of the 2017. It's not known if Hyundai Australia plans to introduce the fast Sport later on.