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Hyundai Genesis: first look at Korea’s new E-Class rival

The all-new Hyundai Genesis has been spied undergoing testing in Germany ahead of the Korean luxury sedan's anticipated launch in 2013.


The second-generation Hyundai Genesis will benefit from a lighter, heavily upgraded platform than its predecessor cloaked by entirely new sheet metal and packed with fresh technologies.

Hyundai’s goal with the new car is to tackle the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the premium large class across Asia, Europe and North America.

CarAdvice’s spy shots confirm the next Genesis (codenamed ‘DH’) will feature the brand’s new ‘Storm Edge’ design language first seen on the latest Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, which is distinguished by the prominent hexagonal grille with horizontal chrome slats, bold headlights with LED lamps and running lights, clean panels with tighter lines, and narrow, dark-tinted horizontal tail-lights.

The Genesis’s rear-wheel-drive underpinnings, while not completely new, have been upgraded and are rumoured to be more than 100kg lighter than the outgoing model’s, likely through the use of lighter-weight metals in its chassis. While contributing to increased fuel efficiency, the car’s lighter weight will also combine with a revised suspension set-up as Hyundai targets improved ride, handling and engine efficiency.

The second-gen Hyundai Genesis is expected to launch with updated versions of the naturally aspirated six- and eight-cylinder engines used to power the existing car, sending the ‘Lambda’ 3.8-litre V6 north of its current 246kW and 395Nm and bumping the ‘Tau’ 5.0-litre V8 beyond 316kW and 510Nm. Given the new model’s lighter weight, it is also a good chance to borrow the Genesis Coupe’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘Theta’ engine for a more fuel-efficient 520i, E200 entry-level rival.

The existing eight-speed automatic transmission will be the only option initially, although the much-rumoured 10-speed auto is expected take its place sometime after next year’s launch.

Hyundai Australia says it has limited information about the new Genesis sedan and is unsure at this stage if the luxury model will be produced in right-hand drive.

One model that has been confirmed for our market is the next-generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which remains on-track to reach our shores in 2015.

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