New York show: Genesis concept previews all-new G70

HYUNDAI has emphatically reinforced its intention to take the fight up to established European premium marques with its burgeoning Genesis luxury brand, unveiling a mid-size sports sedan concept at the New York motor show overnight that previews the all-new G70 series.

To compete against the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 in one of the highest-volume and most competitive premium segments worldwide, the G70 will be built in right-hand drive and will be launched in Australia in the second half of 2017.

The show car – simply dubbed ‘New York Concept’ – has emerged with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-litre GDi direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, generating a combined 180kW of power and 353Nm of torque and driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

GoAuto understands that in right-hand-drive configuration, the car will be fitted at launch with a top-of-the-line twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 engine – as seen in the flagship G90 limousine (not yet confirmed for Australia) in which it produces 272kW/510Nm and can reach 100km/h from standstill in 6.2 seconds. Expect the latter to improve markedly in the lighter G70.

The new model will join the G80 large sedan, currently sold here as the Genesis but to receive a name change (reflecting the expanding range) in conjunction with an upgrade that will bring styling changes and should also mark the first application of the 3.3 twin-turbo six in Australia.

HMCA public relations general manager Bill Thomas told GoAuto: “We see great potential in the car as a BMW 3 Series rival – or perhaps more accurately, a 4 Series GT or Audi A5 Sportback rival, given the concept’s low roofline and coupe-like proportions.

“G70 will be a sedan, though, not a hatch.

“Right-hand drive has been confirmed and we will take the car – second half of 2017 is likely but not confirmed as yet. We won’t be talking about targets or volumes but you could surmise the car has greater volume potential than its big brother (G80).

“This platform will also spawn an SUV and a coupe, neither of which has been confirmed for RHD.”

Vehicle dimensions and other specifications were not forthcoming at the concept’s unveiling, with the Korean manufacturer preferring instead to emphasise in broad terms its design and technology – all of which draw heavily on European influences.

“We have the Italian flair in the exterior, we have the French avant-garde in the interior (and) the fantastic engineering precision from the German team,” said Genesis design general manager Eduardo Ramirez.

Exterior design manager Nicola Danza added: “This is a mix, so you have a good thing from every culture coming together in one car.”

There is some “Korean-ness” in the design, too, according to European chief designer Thomas Buerkle, which is seen with its sharp lines, heavily creased surfaces and “the tension you feel in every line of this car”.

Under the watch of Hyundai Motor Group president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer, and recently appointed senior vice-president and head of Genesis design Luc Donckerwolke, the concept embodies the so-called “athletic elegance” styling creed first seen in the Vision G concept and the subsequent G90 production model.

From an Australian perspective, Mr Thomas told GoAuto: “We love the stance of the car, the fantastic long dash-to-axle proportion and low roofline. It’s not a ‘me too’ kind of car, it seems to be cutting its own niche, and that’s hugely promising.

“(It’s) important to stress that while some details on this car will remain, the concept is just that – a concept for now, with clear hints at the direction Genesis design could take in the future.”

The four-seat cabin is said to express a “hi-tech and sophisticated ambience”, expressed by the use of an advanced information control unit with a large “floating” and distinctively curved 21-inch display that incorporates driver instruments and multimedia functions.

Traditional analogue gauges for the driver are also provided, while a combination of touchpads, rotary dials and gesture control sensors are built in to the user interface.