True to the rumours, Hyundai has officially made Genesis its luxury division.
Similar to Infiniti and Lexus, Genesis will differentiate itself from Hyundai with new models, different platforms, and unique model names and styling.
The current Hyundai Genesis sedan, as we know it, will likely be the first model under Hyundai’s new strategy. Following a refresh reportedly scheduled for next year, it will be renamed the Genesis G80. The Equus, meanwhile, will be called the G90 when the next-generation model possibly debuts at the same time as the refreshed Genesis sedan.
Following the G80 and G90 will be a BMW 3 Series fighter of sorts, known as the Genesis G70. There’s a good chance Hyundai will also add a G60 sports coupe inspired by the Vision G Coupe concept, along with two proposed SUVs.
Luc Donckerwolke, who joined Hyundai earlier this year after penning cars under the Volkswagen umbrella – including the Lamborghini Gallardo, Murcielago and the Bentley Flying Spur – will head the Genesis division. Hyundai chief design officer Peter Schreyer says Genesis will focus primarily on rear-wheel-drive platforms, with optional all-wheel-drive, in order to achieve classic luxury-car proportions.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, Genesis will likely be sold through existing Hyundai dealerships – for the time being – across North America, South Korea, China and the Middle East, with expansion plans pegged for Asia and Europe later on.
