Hyundai: No future in V8 Supercars

Hyundai has confirmed it will not compete in V8 Supercars. Despite rumours that the Korean brand was keen to consider the racing category, this week company officials have again stated there is no future in the cetegory for the brand.

Hyundai has a rear-drive sedan that would seem to suit V8 Supercars. Dubbed the Genesis, its appeal for Australians is that it takes a formula we know very well and delivers it with the choice of a number of engine options — including a direct-injected 5.0-litre V8.

From having driven the V8-engined Genesis in Korea this week, we can testify that it's a ripper of a powerplant, coupled to a highly capable eight-speed automatic transmission designed in-house by Hyundai.

Originally designed for the North American markets, the Genesis is now programmed for Australia once its second generation successor comes to market (see separate story). Unfortunately, we won't see the sedan version, which would make a strong rival to the Commodore and Falcon sedans sold here.

And we certainly won't see the sedan competing in V8 Supercars, our favourite touring car category in this country. Even with the 'Car of the future' strategy throwing the competition open to manufacturers other than Holden and Ford, Hyundai will be politely declining the invitation to take part.

Hyundai Australia's Senior Manager for PR and Events, Ben Hershman, told the Carsales Network earlier this week that, contrary to speculation in the press, the importer has no plans to enter the Genesis in local touring-car events.

"We haven't had any face-to-face meetings with V8 Supercars," Hershman explained. And just in case there was any doubt, he put the matter to rest in terms that leave little wriggle room for interpretation.

"Our position... is we are not interested in being involved in V8 Supercars."

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