Hyundai to launch luxury Genesis in NZ

Hyundai's Genesis sedan will take the fight to luxury market players like BMW's 5-Series when it arrives in New Zealand next year.

Hyundai is taking aim at New Zealand's luxury market with the introduction of the Genesis sedan.

Genesis will compete with established performers in that segment and as Hyundai's flagship will help cement Hyundai's place in the New Zealnd top three.

Already a hit in its home country of Korea and a big seller in the US, the high-spec Genesis is positioned to compete with BMW's 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus GS.

Hyundai Motors' vice president of international sales Edward Lee let slip at a presentation in Seoul that we'll be seeing the second generation Genesis sedan by this time next year.

Hyundai New Zealand general manager, Andy Sinclair, confirmed to Driven that the Genesis will be heading the company's line-up of vehicles though he is still unsure of details.

"There is no pricing whatsoever and no specification or drivetrain details as yet," said Sinclair, although he did admit to favouring the V8 engine over the V6.

The Genesis was designed by Hyundai as a "progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive sports sedan" and launched internationally in 2009.

The new left hand drive version goes into production in Korea in October, followed by production for right hard drive markets.

A J.D. Power survey earlier this year found Genesis owners reported fewer problems than drivers of other vehicles, naming it the 'highest initial quality in the midsize premium car segment.'