Hyundai reveals new Genesis sedan

Hyundai has revealed its all-new Genesis sedan and it’s likely to be available alongside a redesigned Genesis coupe in Australia within two years.

Two official renderings of the second-generation Genesis sedan were presented at a media preview of the important new model at Hyundai Motor Group's R&D Centre in South Korea.

The actual Genesis sedan will be revealed in the metal at its official launch later this year in Korea and is likely to make its world motor show debut at January’s 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where the second-generation Genesis coupe could also be unveiled.

Concept versions of both cars have already been unveiled and, while Hyundai Motor Company Australia says it continues to study the local business case for the new Genesis sedan, it has already confirmed the next Genesis coupe will be sold in Australia by 2015.

Unlike the vehicles they replace, both new Genesis models have been confirmed for right-hand production. The new Genesis sedan, which goes on sale in major markets outside Korea next year, has been spied several times (undisguised for the first time last week) and Hyundai recently confirmed it will be available with the company’s first all-wheel drive system, dubbed HTRAC.

Little information has been provided for the Genesis sedan, which Hyundai says presents a new exterior design theme it calls ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’, but the company claims an upgraded chassis and interior will bring “class-leading ability”.

“Launched in 2008, Hyundai's first premium rear-wheel drive sedan Genesis surprised the industry with its outstanding product competitiveness,” said Moon Sik Kwon, head of Hyundai Motor Group's R&D Centre.

“The evolved all-new Genesis is the product of Hyundai's best resources and capabilities and we strongly believe it will be a game-changer in the market.”

Following development testing in various locations around the world including Germany’s Nurburgring, Hyundai says the car will bring “premium and distinctive design, best-in-class chassis system, premium European brands' level of driving and ride/handling performance, cutting-edge safety and convenience features”.

Key features will include a new driver interface and improved crash performance, thanks in part to advanced new seatbelt functions such as Emergency Fastening Device system (EFD), which tightly fastens passengers during a collision, and Pre-Safe, “which warns of danger in advance by tightening the seatbelt”.

Hyundai says the new body’s torsional and bending stiffness has been improved by the addition of more ultra-high-strength steel and hot-stamping, a double-section front structure, partitioned engine bay design and improved rear and centre floor structures.

Apart from the option of HTRAC AWD, the Genesis sedan chassis will bring a variable-ratio rack-mounted Motor Driven Electric Power Steering (R-MDPS) system, which is claimed to combine high-speed stability with direct response at low and medium speeds.

“Top-class” ride/handling is also promised, thanks to improved lateral stiffness for the front and rear suspensions, along with “excellent” weight balance and new electronic systems such as Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC).

Hyundai said it invested $A500 million and four years in the development of the new Genesis sedan, a “world-class” rear-wheel drive luxury sedan that will compete directly with leading German rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Hyundai is also understood to be developing a small Genesis sedan to take on the likes of the Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

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