Hyundai Vision G Concept revealed

In a world turning to turbochargers, Hyundai is pointing to the future by sticking with natural aspiration and big V8 sizzle for its first luxury coupe.

The Hyundai Vision G is the second two-door concept from the Korean brand in as many years, with the HND-9 coupe shown in 2013 being a more compact, V6-engined concept designed for European tastes.

This Vision G is aimed squarely at the American market – it will be rolled out for public display at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, the same state in which it was designed.

With a Genesis-labelled spread-wing badge atop a five-point mesh front grille borrowed from the current Genesis sedan, Vision G clearly points to the likelihood of a next-gen two-door version focused on large luxury.

The current US-only Genesis coupe is smaller and more overtly sporting, very different to the luxe-barge sedan.

The body surfacing of the concept appears taut and tough, almost like a Bentley Continental, while the B-pillar-less turret, sloping roofline and vertical slim-line tail-lights could be seen as like that of a Mercedes-Benz CL.

According to Hyundai’s president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer, the Vision G focuses on, “The idea that you don’t need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues … no glaring examples of luxury, but rather elegant lines and finishes.”

A proven 5.0-litre direct injected V8 engine – which sadly we don’t see here in Genesis sedan as it is left-hook only – makes 312kW at 6000rpm and 519Nm at a peaky 5000rpm, sending drive to the rear wheels.

If we had to put money on whether the HND-9 or Vision G concepts would more closely translate to the next Genesis, we’d bet on this big boy, as Stateside tastes rule the roost with Korean decision makers when it comes to large cars.

Sadly, that is also likely to fuel the decision to keep V8-engined Hyundais a left-hand-drive-only program, leaving Australia with the next-gen V6-engined Genesis sedan or possibly coupe at best.