Hyundai Genesis could get a diesel

HYUNDAI is considering more efficient turbocharged engines for its Genesis luxury sedan.

But work has not begun on them yet, suggesting the earliest they could arrive is 2017.

Speaking to Wheels at the launch of the $60,000-plus Genesis, Hyundai Australia chief executive Charlie Kim said there was a chance the large rear-drive sedan could get a choice of more affordable four-cylinder engines.

“We are reviewing some of our engines,” Kim said.

“It is not finalised yet, but we are starting [to look at] a turbo,” he said. “We are thinking [that], but there is no plan.”

It’s unclear whether a turbo would be a four-cylinder, with another option being a turbocharged version of the regular Genesis V6 – either the 3.3-litre available overseas or the 3.8-litre available locally.

Kim also said a diesel engine was being evaluated for the Genesis.

“Same thing [with the diesel],” he said. “But it is not finalised yet.”

Kim said the viability of new engines for the Genesis would depend on demand.

In particular, it’s understood that if Australian volumes aren’t high – sales are tipped to be “up to 1000” a year – the chances of engineering a diesel engine for right-hand-drive markets is slim.

While the 3.8-litre petrol in the Genesis is powerful enough – it produces 232kW and 397Nm, pushing the near-two-tonne limousine to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds – it’s also thirsty.

Claimed fuel use is 11.2 litres per 100km, which is more than the smaller, lighter Grandeur that Hyundai sold from 2006.

That also makes the Genesis thirstier than all of its luxury rivals, including the locally produced large cars that have been criticised for high fuel use.