Now, when someone asks what type of car you drive, and you answer with
'Genesis', more often than not, you'll receive a puzzling blank stare. However,
one need not to be offended; Hyundai's
entrant into the luxury car segment is still a relatively new player.
Revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, it was
Hyundai's interpretation of a luxury sedan to compete with the Euros. While
sales of the first generation haven't exactly taken the world by storm, those
enthusiastic boffins from South Korea are not waving the white flag just yet.
In fact, they're so intent on making inroads on the luxury sedan market
that they're having a second attempt, with the reveal expected either later
this year or early 2014. While the current Genesis Sedan has a reasonable
amount of kit for the dollar, it struggles to exude a visual statement compared
to its direct competitors.
Hyundai's next
installment hope's to change that; so based on actual spy-shots depicting the
real thing, we at Carscoops are providing an illustrated glimpse of how things
have improved.
The Peter Schreyer-led team has translated a fair chunk of aesthetic
punch from the HCD-14 Concept car that debuted at this year's Detroit motor
show, and infused it into the bodywork of the next Genesis.
Hyundai's Fluidic
Sculpture design language is complemented with smooth surfacing and shorter
overhangs; while the long powerful hood and imposing 'Bentley-like' grill
conceal what is expected to be either a 3.8L V6 or a 5.0L V8. Mated to an eight
speed transmission (with a 10-speed unit to be introduced later on), the
Genesis is also expected to offer both rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive
configurations for those who live amongst the more slippery geography.
Detailed visual highlights start with the LED head and taillights;
tackling Audi where so much design emphasis has been placed in the recent past,
and strategic placing of chrome-work.
Even the shut-lines have been carefully thought out with
fluidic intersecting joins at the base of the windscreen and rear bumper.
Whilst the greenhouse could have been transferred from the latest Toyota Avalon
or Chevrolet Impala, a prominent shoulder crease runs the length of the car
linking head and taillights together in a broad sweep.
Compared with the likes of Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, and
BMW 5-Series, the next Genesis appears to be a strong contender. However, does
it go far enough? One cannot help wonder if staying closer to the HCD-14
Concept in design would have yielded a greater statement. Tell us what you
think in the comments below.
By Josh Byrnes
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