Frankfurt show: Hyundai's Vision G unlikely for Oz

THE next-generation Genesis Coupe, previewed by the Hyundai Vision G Concept Coupe unveiled in Los Angeles today, is unlikely to be sold in Australia as it will most probably remain a left-hand drive-only proposition.

While the Genesis sedan has surprised local Hyundai officials with 327 sales since its launch late last year, the projected low volumes for a large luxury coupe in right-hand-drive markets such as Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Japan would likely make the expense of re-engineering it for these countries prohibitive.

The BMW 6 Series (from $177,900 plus on-roads) has only recorded 111 registrations to the end of July, while the cheaper E-Class Coupe (from $80,900) has cracked 500 units. It is understood that a Genesis Coupe would probably be positioned up against the latter, even though its size and performance puts it more on a par with the Bavarian coupe.

Another pointer to the likely production car’s non-starter in Australia is the use of the 5.0-litre Tau V8, which in the Vision G Concept delivers 312kW of power at 6000rpm and 519Nm of torque at 5000 rpm.

However, it has been speculated that V6 versions using the Genesis sedan’s 3.8-litre unit will also be offered, in both rear-drive and all-wheel drive applications, as well as variations of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. No diesel engines are expected.

Designed under the leadership of Hyundai Motor Company chief design officer Peter Schreyer – the ex-Audi stylist who has transformed Kia’s model range in recent years – the Vision G Concept was penned at Hyundai’s Californian Design studio. This, more than anything else, underlines the most important market that the production version will be sold in.

As well as offering a taste of the next-gen Genesis Coupe, the Vision G Concept Coupe - which will appear at the Frankfurt motor show next month - also previews Hyundai’s latest design language, according to Mr Schreyer.

“The design is our interpretation of the idea that Hyundai breathes into all of its vehicles – a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don’t need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues,” he stated in the accompanying press release.

The Vision G carries the Genesis logo on the exterior and interior, and features a front-end design that is reminiscent of the Ford Mondeo, while the tail end has a high-end Euro feel.

The concept varies greatly from the striking HND-9 coupe concept that Hyundai revealed at the 2013 Seoul motor show.

The Korean car-maker is yet to reveal anything further about the Vision G, aside from the engine specs. Expect more info to come to light when it is shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance over the weekend.

Launched in North America in late 2008, the first-generation Genesis Coupe was met with some buyer resistance due to its ‘in-betweener’ positioning, where it is seen as too large to take on the likes of the Toyota 86 and too small to be viewed as a properly spacious flagship.