DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Genesis sedan confirmed for Oz

Hyundai will launch its Genesis large car Down Under – it's official. An open secret, awaiting only final confirmation now delivered, the large four-door rear-drive sedan will go on sale in Australia in July. That's just months after its on-sale date in the sedan's key marketplace, the United States, where the car was launched today at the North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Hyundai Australia is yet to announce equipment or pricing details of the new car Down Under. In the USA, the car is priced at similar levels to the Commodore-based Chevrolet SS and another key competitor both Stateside and in Australia, Chrysler's 300 sedan.

One thing is set – Australian Genesis fans will need to settle for the rear-drive direct-injected V6 powertrain option. Although Hyundai offers an all-wheel-drive R-Spec 5.0-litre V8-engined Genesis in left-hand drive markets, so far only the six-pack is engineered for right-hand drive.

The wait for a V8 and/or all-wheel drive could be considerable. There is currently no timeline for the engineering required to produce a V8 for right-hand drive markets.

The Australian Genesis' 3.8-litre V6 will, however, pack a healthy 248kW and 397Nm. This compares favourably to the top Commodore V6's 210kW/350Nm and the 300C's Pentastar V6's 210kW/340Nm.

Like the latest 300C, the Genesis features a multi-mode eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Australia's first Genesis and the brand's 2014 Detroit star, is in fact the second generation of Hyundai's flagship. Hyundai promises significant improvements in this all-new car, not least of which is a major step forward in refinement and safety equipment.

In size terms the Genesis neatly splits VF Commodore and the Chrysler 300. At 4990mm it’s 40mm longer than the Holden but 76mm shorter than the 300. The wheelbase (3010mm) is a hefty 95mm longer than the local car, but 42mm shorter than the Yankee.

Hyundai Australia claims the Australian market Genesis sedans will be "tuned by HMCA’s engineering team to suit the unique demands of local roads".

"Genesis is the Hyundai brand's flagship car globally and we are delighted that for the first time, it will be engineered in right hand drive, allowing us to sell it in Australia,” said John Elsworth, Chief Executive Officer, Hyundai Motor Company Australia.

“This high-tech machine is the ideal showcase for what Hyundai can do, and is a superbly-engineered car, fit to rival the best from Europe at a substantially more accessible price point."

Pricing is arguably the key part of the Genesis story. At this stage, Hyundai Australia is still to confirm the local model walk, standard specification and sticker price. It maintains, however, it plans to release the Genesis at an affordable price.

Says the company: "the new Genesis sedan will bring luxury-class dynamic ability, quality, technology, equipment and refinement within reach of many Australians."

Hyundai promises a high level of equipment. The US-market Genesis boasts standard equipment including Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind Spot Detection with Head-Up Display, Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning and a 9.2-inch high-definition touchscreen controlled audio, ventilation and satellite-navigation system. The company also equips Genesis with a Volvo CitySafe-style autonomous braking system.

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