Now, when someone asks what type of car you drive, and you answer with ‘Genesis‘, more often than not, you’ll receive a puzzling blank stare. However, one need not to be offended; Hyundai’s entrant into the luxury car segment is still a relatively new player.

Revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, it was Hyundai’s interpretation of a luxury sedan to compete with the Euros. While sales of the first generation haven’t exactly taken the world by storm, those enthusiastic boffins from South Korea are not waving the white flag just yet.

In fact, they’re so intent on making inroads on the luxury sedan market that they’re having a second attempt, with the reveal expected either later this year or early 2014. While the current Genesis Sedan has a reasonable amount of kit for the dollar, it struggles to exude a visual statement compared to its direct competitors.

Hyundai’s next installment hope’s to change that; so based on actual spy-shots depicting the real thing, we at Carscoops are providing an illustrated glimpse of how things have improved.

Hyundai-HCD-Genesis-Concept-b2[2]The Peter Schreyer-led team has translated a fair chunk of aesthetic punch from the HCD-14 Concept car that debuted at this year’s Detroit motor show, and infused it into the bodywork of the next Genesis.

Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design language is complemented with smooth surfacing and shorter overhangs; while the long powerful hood and imposing ‘Bentley-like’ grill conceal what is expected to be either a 3.8L V6 or a 5.0L V8. Mated to an eight speed transmission (with a 10-speed unit to be introduced later on), the Genesis is also expected to offer both rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations for those who live amongst the more slippery geography.

Detailed visual highlights start with the LED head and taillights; tackling Audi where so much design emphasis has been placed in the recent past, and strategic placing of chrome-work.

Even the shut-lines have been carefully thought out with fluidic intersecting joins at the base of the windscreen and rear bumper. Whilst the greenhouse could have been transferred from the latest Toyota Avalon or Chevrolet Impala, a prominent shoulder crease runs the length of the car linking head and taillights together in a broad sweep.

Compared with the likes of Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5-Series, the next Genesis appears to be a strong contender. However, does it go far enough? One cannot help wonder if staying closer to the HCD-14 Concept in design would have yielded a greater statement. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright: Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

PHOTO GALLERY

2014 Hyundai Genesis