HYUNDAI previewed its cutting-edge future technologies and a classy new design direction at this week’s Detroit motor show with the HCD-14 Genesis concept., , The concept points to the design of Hyundai’s next-generation Genesis luxury sedan, which will debut at Detroit in a year’s time and has a chance of eventually going on sale in Australia as it will be engineered for right-hand drive., , Hyundai Australia public relations general manager Bill Thomas told GoAuto the local operation is looking at the business case for importing the rear-wheel-drive sedan., , “We are considering the four-door (Genesis) but are not in a position to confirm that yet because we have to look at it in some detail,” he said., , Based on its lack of luxury brand image, Hyundai would have to significantly undercut similar-sized rivals from the established premium brands in Australia to stand a chance of selling the Genesis here., , In the United States, the Genesis line-up starts at $US34,200 ($A32,390) with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, topping out at $US46,800 for the 5.0-litre V8., , For comparison, the similar-sized Lexus GS starts at $US47,250 with the 3.5-litre V6 ($A89,400 in Australia). With Hyundai’s most expensive model in Australia being the top-spec Santa Fe at $49,990 plus on-road costs, Hyundai Australia is looking at a significant step up in price for the Genesis., , Further complicating things, being a premium niche model with unique drivetrain, the Genesis would probably have to be sold through a limited number of specialist dealerships, as Holden does with the Volt range-extender EV., , In the US, Hyundai has quickly gone from a 1.4 per cent share of the premium vehicle market in 2008 to 9.0 per cent in 2012, and the Genesis has recorded some of the segment’s strongest resale values., , Hyundai Motor America president and CEO John Kracik said the Genesis success story “paves the way for a new generation of rear-wheel-drive premium products”., , “HCD-14 Genesis gives a hint of the design direction we’ll be taking, and an indication of the focus we’re placing on driving dynamics and technology,” he said., , The HCD-14’s bluff nose with huge Chrysler-like chrome grille and LED lighting is juxtaposed by a sleek coupe-like roofline similar to that of the Audi A7, while the rear fascia is dominated by complex surfacing and tail-lights shaped to give the impression they are folded into the metalwork., , Reflecting the shape and position of the front bumper-mounted LED daytime-running lights are cooling fins surrounding the oversized exhaust outlets in the rear bumper., , In contrast with the relatively busy front and rear detailing are clean sides with no visible doorhandles, subtle scalloping and a single sharp crease running the length of the car., , The rear doors are of the rear-hinged ‘suicide’ variety and open to reveal a lack of B-pillars and a sumptuous interior of leather and hand-crafted curved wooden features., , Switchgear is conspicuous by its absence because Hyundai has used the concept to showcase three-dimensional “gesture recognition technology” that includes eye-tracking and touch-sensitive thumb controls, and is claimed to reduce driving distractions, backed up by a head-up instrument display projected onto the windscreen., , The driver sits in an almost compartmentalised wraparound cockpit-style environment, where an optical recognition system authorises them and allows the engine to be started., , Behind the steering wheel is a traditional instrument pack comprising a mixture of analogue dials and digital displays, with what Hyundai describes as “aviation-derived design cues”., , Under the skin is an “ultra-rigid” chassis using high-tensile steel to provide a “vault-like platform for the rear-drive powertrain configuration”., , Front and rear suspension is of a sophisticated five-link layout designed to reduce changes to wheel angle as they move up and down through the suspension’s travel, improving cornering grip., , Hyundai says these chassis advancements enable its much-awarded Tau V8 engine – linked to the eight-speed automatic transmission it developed in-house – to be “fully exploited”., , A replacement for the current LHD-only Genesis Coupe will also be built in RHD and is confirmed for Australia, but Mr Thomas said that car is still up to two years away., , Shortly after Kia design boss Peter Schreyer was appointed president of the company following a successful reshaping of the brand by making some of the world’s most stylish cars, he has also been given responsibility to oversee design and styling for both Hyundai and Kia., , It is unclear whether Mr Schreyer had any input to the HCD-14 project, but he will have some influence over the production Genesis replacement, its coupe namesake and future premium and mainstream Hyundais.
