SPY PICS: Genesis G70 takes shape

Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand is in the final stages of testing its new G70 luxury sedan ahead of an anticipated Australian arrival late next year.

Spy photos obtained by motoring.com.au show the BMW 3 Series fighter is well into its development schedule, months after being revealed in the form of a concept at the New York motor show.

While the concept was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the confirmed right-hand drive production model is expected to be offered with more muscle.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the mid-size G70 will be sold here, positioned below the original Genesis sedan -- the facelifted version of which will be called the G80 when it goes on sale Down Under later than expected in the second half of next year -- as the marque’s smaller, everyday luxury offering to compete directly with the 3 Series.

When it arrives in Australia expect a 3.3-litre turbo-petrol V6 that will make a considerable 270kW of power and 510Nm of torque. There’s also torque of a higher-powered G70 N derivative that will rival the Mercedes-AMG C63 and BMW M3.

Roughly the same size as the 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class but expected to cost significantly less — potentially under $50,000 — the new G70 will be based on a bespoke rear-wheel drive platform packing an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are no plans to offer the limo-sized G90 here, because it’s built as a left-hand drive only vehicle at present, but next year's G70 and G80 sedans should be followed Down Under by a G70-based coupe to rival the BMW 4 Series and two Genesis SUVs.