Genesis: After it debuts at the Detroit auto show in January, the second-generation Genesis is scheduled for a late-second-quarter launch next year. The Genesis' 2015 model year re-engineering will include new sheet metal, cab-rearward proportions, a bigger back seat and a fresh and more-contemporary interior design. The 2015 Genesis will also be the first Hyundai car to offer all-
wheel drive. The sedan's rwd platform has been modified substantially from the current version, with a stretched wheelbase that pulls the front wheels forward and moves the cowl further back.
Hyundai engineers have worked to improve the Genesis' ride and handling to be more competitive with German models. The current Genesis' 3.8-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 will be carried over into the 2015 model year.
Read more:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130812/carreviews/130819978#ixzz2bnC7D28I
Well, a late 2Q or early 3Q NA launch was what I was expecting - would give the
KDM Genesis a 4-5 month start (that is, unless Hyundai launches the Genesis in Korea prior to the NAIAS).
Even more rear passenger room (tho headroom might be compromised a bit); can pretty much stick a fork on the RLX.
Genesis Coupe: Roughly a year after the Genesis sedan's debut, a re-engineered Genesis Coupe will arrive with new sheet metal in the second half of 2015.
Like the sedan, the re-engineered coupe's platform will be reworked substantially for an improved, more luxurious ride than the current coupe's stiffer, sport-tuned setup. The coupe's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V-6 are expected to carry over as well.
As I had stated before, the next gen Genesis coupe (probably will no longer be called that) will be going upscale and be paired w/ the new RK sports sedan (see below).
Let's hope it retains much of the sheetmetal from the Venace concept.
RWD sedan: Sources say Hyundai's much-anticipated answer to the BMW 3 series and other compact sports sedans should arrive in 2016, though precise timing is unclear. The rear-
wheel-drive compact sedan, known inside Hyundai by the code-name RK, should be slightly larger than the BMW 3 series and share design cues and driving characteristics with the Genesis Coupe.
Sources say the rakish HCD-14 concept seen at the 2013 Detroit auto show is the basis for RK's overall design. That should mean it will have a dramatic fastback roofline, short front and rear overhangs and a bold front end. Powertrain details are scarce, but it would make sense for the sedan to be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, likely the 2.0-liter used in the Genesis Coupe or the 3.3-liter V-6 used in the Azera.
Interesting that the coupe will launch before the sedan (tho, there is a good chance that Hyundai will have the coupe as a separate model like what Audi has done w/ the A5 and what BMW and Lexus will be doing).
Hope the front end of the RK looks more like the Venace concept (so the sedan and coupe have some similarity) than the HCD-14 which is more likely the basis for a Genesis-based
4-door coupe.
In the near future, Hyundai's luxury lineup will consists of the Genesis sedan, coupe (new name?), the new RK and the Equus.
Added to that will be an upmarket FWD sedan (based on the Azera) and likely at least 2 CUVs.
I can see the smaller compact RWD CUV being RWD-based, but for the midsize CUV, would not be surprised if Hyundai went w/ FWD.
Once Hyundai builds out its luxury lineup, they need to launch a luxury sub-brand (despite all the talk now to the contrary).
Not all Hyundai dealerships should be awarded the sub-brand; just those in certain locales and with the financial wherewithal to build-out a separate showroom (using the same service bays is no big deal as long as there is a separate waiting room).
