Joined
·
42,300 Posts
In the Beginning, Hyundai sold the Tiburon, which was a coupe version of the Elantra sedan, with a naturally-aspirated four cylinder in the nose and resale values which would halve by the time that the car got its first Fly on A Windshield.
But Feeding the Fire of the Korean automaker's lineup overhaul in the United States is Hyundai's new RWD architecture, which is the basis for a premium luxury sedan and the Tiburon replacement, which is being referred to as the Concept Genesis Coupe. "Genesis" is the name being applied broad-brush to all models being spun off its new RWD architecture. It's part of Hyundai's whole brand-building campaign — the Genesis of a new Hyundai!
Although the name can change — we've heard that "Tiburon" isn't quite set in stone — the concept, when it's released, is basically what we'll be getting with some ground effects and a different hood. Strip those away, and you'll be looking at the production car. The concept will be revealed at the L.A. Auto Show on November 14th, but until then Hyundai's sent us some teaser sketches of the new car, descending rear window line and all.
Some see Hyundai's move into rear-drive cars as following the Way of the World, that they're taking years of brand equity as good, value-packed cars and Throwing it All Away, but we feel that Hyundai's product lineup is being crafted with a deft but Invisible Touch, and look forward to the company expanding into new markets.
