Hyundai Genesis Coupe previewed in HND-9 concept

HYUNDAI has released sketches previewing the next-generation Genesis Coupe that is destined for Australian showrooms in 2014, ahead of its official unveiling at the Seoul motor show next week.

The South Korean car-maker said the striking concept is an evolution of the Fluidic Sculpture design language that has rolled out across the Hyundai range.

Described by Hyundai as “a modern interpretation of a classic premium sports coupe”, the concept has an elongated nose, gaping grille reminiscent of the Jaguar F-Type and a long wheelbase to emphasise the coupe shape.

It features butterfly doors, bulging wheel arches and a snubbed rear end with angular tail-lights sitting underneath a defined crease in the shoulder line.

A dual exhaust and strong lines give the HND-9 the requisite aggressive look of a modern sports car.

The images released by Hyundai also give a peek at the concept’s interior, showing a sporty-looking futuristic cockpit with limited switchgear and a bulbous steering wheel, although it is unlikely the production version will keep the same look.

Under the sculpted bonnet of the rear-wheel drive concept is a turbocharged version of Hyundai’s 3.3-litre GDi petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and punching out 270kW of power.

The local arm of the Korean car-maker has already confirmed the next generation Genesis Coupe will launch in Australia after the current model was denied a local berth as it was not produced in right-hand drive.

Highlighting the importance of the premium sedan market in the US, the next-generation Genesis sedan was previewed at the Detroit show earlier this year in the form of the coupe-like HCD-14 concept.

Like the Genesis Coupe, the next-generation Genesis sedan will be produced in right-hand drive and Hyundai Australia public relations general manager Bill Thomas has previously told GoAuto the Genesis sedan was being considered for the Australian market.

Timing for a local launch of the Genesis Coupe is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be sometime in 2014.

The current US-spec Genesis Coupe was given a mid-life makeover in late 2011 to bring it into line with Hyundai’s design philosophy and now features Veloster-like front-end styling.

Meanwhile, sales of Hyundai’s premium range in the US, which includes the Genesis sedan, have grown substantially, with the company’s market share in the premium segment increasing from 1.4 per cent in 2008 to 9.0 per cent in 2012.

Hyundai said it will reveal more technical details about the HND-9 concept at the unveiling at the Seoul show on March 28.