Hyundai To Take On BMW M4 with N-tuned Genesis Coupe

[jayyp]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Here's a short article about Hyundai's next gen "N performance" led by former M executive Albert Biermann.

Hyundai To Take On BMW M4 with N-tuned Genesis Coupe

Nobody can accuse Hyundai of lacking ambition. Not only will the newly announced upmarket Genesis range consist of six models by 2020, but we’ve also learned that Hyundai’s recently launched “N” performance division will be developing a model aimed at the BMW M4.

The company’s recent hiring strategy makes clear where its ambitions lie. It poached Albert Biermann, formerly chief engineer for BMW M, to head up the N division. The first product to emerge from that division will be an N version of the front-drive i30 hatchback, primarily aimed at Europe; but after conversations with Biermann and other senior Hyundai executives, we expect that the second will be an N-tuned version of the upcoming Genesis G70 coupe.

The G70, of course, is the smaller (and as yet unseen) sedan that will slot below the existing G80 and the recently launched G90 in the Genesis lineup, and which will spawn a sportier two-door sibling. Biermann describes the G70 as being a “whole new animal” compared to the other cars, sharing their rear-drive layout but with a new platform and “different axle concepts.” He adds, “This will be more on the sporty side already in the normal version, so you [can] expect [a] really nice-handling car. . . . That platform is good for a lot of power.”

Where might that power come from? Genesis has the Tau 5.0-liter V-8 to call upon, but Biermann indicates it’s unlikely to be used in the G70. Instead, the newly launched 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 is more likely, although tuned to deliver considerably more than the 365 horsepower claimed for it in the G80; we’d be surprised if it couldn’t either match or beat the M4’s 425 horsepower.

Hyundai is determined to add excitement to its reputation for value and dependability. A Genesis G70 N coupe could certainly do that.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/hyundai...genesis-coupe/

[04cobra]

GENNY ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[08TUNDRA]

Its kind of sad they feel the need to knock off the bmw name literally going one letter down the alphabet, ///M stands for motorsport, what are they going to claim n stands for? Nockoff? Half the people if not more buy bmw for the name that theme continues with the ///M models so this most likey will be a failure bacause the brand name people wont want it and the real car enthusiasts dont want it bacause its a hyundi, does not really matter if its cheap at this point. Only person who this would seem appealing to would be the guy who bought the genesis and got some money to upgrade or move on, like many of us with the 335i to the m3 or m4.

[auf Deutsch]

Ahh yes, Genny zone issued hardware is on the horizon.

[Bahn360Photo]

yeah just like they aimed at 7 series and s class with the large sedan...ehh not any time soon

[mkoesel]

This does not surprise me at all. I certainly won't count them out of the game. With the strides the brand has made in recent years plus the help from industry veterans, they have the potential to make some noise.

I am skeptical we'll see this on the market until near the end of the F82 run at the earliest though, so hopefully they are targeting the next M4 or its just going to be another RC-F.

I'd like to see a G70N sedan to go with the coupe, too. The more competition the better.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo

yeah just like they aimed at 7 series and s class with the large sedan...ehh not any time soon

Originally Posted by mkoesel

This does not surprise me at all. I certainly won't count them out of the game. With the strides the brand has made in recent years plus the help from industry veterans, they have the potential to make some noise.

I am skeptical we'll see this on the market until near the end of the F82 run at the earliest though, so hopefully they are targeting the next M4 or its just going to be another RC-F.

I'd like to see a G70N sedan to go with the coupe, too. The more competition the better.

Here is the thing, I think they can create a car of similar class (performance, luxury and so forth) but not really similar stature... Hyundai needs to build a different brand or brand name that would take years. That is what is killing them in the luxury game and that is what would kill them in the M4 luxury sports coupe market as well. I think they have the ability to build a similar performer but at this point, this would take up to 10 years. Not a chance this is happening this generation and when it does happen, I feel its doomed to fail due to brand name. Lexus is even having issues w creating a viable alternative to the M4 and Cadillac is hurting because of image and name.. what makes Hyundai think they can do this within any near term? Albert Biermann didn't create a brand or vehicle, he was part of it.

[mkoesel]

Well, the Genesis has been around for two generations now. Presumably it has been a profitable product or they would not have stepped up their game and created a whole separate brand with plans for more models.

So for me the question isn't whether or not they will be successful with the Genesis brand, the G70, and the N Performance in-house tuning shop, but whether or not the products will be appealing to enthusiasts. I would agree the jury is still out on that. But let's put this in perspective. Even cars like the GT350 - which is objectively a home run in the performance category as well as the price/performance category still has its share of detractors. Yet, that does not change the fact that it has been a successful product. Ford knew they would not convince everyone, and they knew they didn't need to either. Hyundai is no doubt similarly very aware of what they can and cannot do. And I'm sure they are not trying to become the new standard for luxury performance cars. They just need to be carve out their own niche, which I would say they are very capable of doing.

Also I will say this: I'd rather be in Hyundai's shoes right now than either Cadillac or Lexus. Reason is, Hyundai is working with a clean slate for the most part, while the other two have such baggage to deal with.

[M3ZING]

LOL.

[Vectors2final]

[dkhm3]

they're going for the market at exactly the wrong time.

i think there will be a decline in auto sales in the next few years, we are expecting a global slowdown, and a pretty dramatic one at that.

the market cannot sustain a MB C63S, M3/M4, ATS-V, GUILA, Hyundai all at once.

we've seen this before- Supra, 3000GT VR-4, 300ZX, RX-7, all at the same time... they took away sales from each other, and at the end of the day... well, you know the rest.

[Warranty P]

Originally Posted by dmikhael619

Its kind of sad they feel the need to knock off the bmw name literally going one letter down the alphabet, ///M stands for motorsport, what are they going to claim n stands for? Nockoff? Half the people if not more buy bmw for the name that theme continues with the ///M models so this most likey will be a failure bacause the brand name people wont want it and the real car enthusiasts dont want it bacause its a hyundi, does not really matter if its cheap at this point. Only person who this would seem appealing to would be the guy who bought the genesis and got some money to upgrade or move on, like many of us with the 335i to the m3 or m4.

I would rather have a Genesis than E92 335.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Warranty P

I would rather have a Genesis than E92 335.

nah dude


there is nothing good about a Genesis, nothing

i know plenty of owners of all specs... and the answer is nothing

It may be a good sports car for Hyundai at mid 20k but it ends there.

[Maddict3]

LOL!

[trey100]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

Ahh yes, Genny zone issued hardware is on the horizon.

Well yeah, as long as your ready to pay the Genny tax.

[MPerformance211]

Originally Posted by Warranty P

I would rather have a Genesis than E92 335.

you................ and another 1 in every 100. No thanks. I had an E92 335 and drove the Genesis...they are worlds apart.

[BoosTonian]

Is this thread for real? Hyundai has made it onto Bimmerpost.

[x.shell]

genny......

[Sassicaia]

"N"ope.

[Warranty P]

Originally Posted by ASAP

nah dude


there is nothing good about a Genesis, nothing

i know plenty of owners of all specs... and the answer is nothing

It may be a good sports car for Hyundai at mid 20k but it ends there.

I was referring to Genesis sedan, those start at around $50K. I know it's a larger class car but I would without a doubt take one over any 3-series BMW with exception of M3/4.

[JN1]

Next time I'm in the OC I'll have to drop them a note. "Good luck"

[BRBM]

Originally Posted by Warranty P

I would rather have a Genesis than E92 335.

Hate to pile on here (no, I don't), however.......good luck wishes from me, too. I'm thinking: Hmm. Might just get my sins forgiven in hell loooooong before going to Los Koreans for my hi-performance coupe' needs. That would be ridiculous.

But, using Tsing's grandma's S. Korean recipe, I can still make the hell outta some KimChee. Some good-ass native grub, true enough, but it won't get me from point A-to-B. Just has garlic & scallions coming out of my pores for days.

I know. Yuck. Never mind.