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Hyundai drops its sporty Genesis coupe, plans new luxury model instead

Stephen Edelstein
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2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
As Hyundai turns its Genesis luxury sedan into the basis for a separate brand, the sportier Genesis Coupe is being put out to pasture.

Hyundai confirmed that 2016 will be the last model year to the Genesis Coupe to Autoblog and other media outlets. It will be replaced by a more luxurious coupe sold under the new Genesis brand name, although Hyundai has no timeline for that model’s arrival.

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When Hyundai launched the first-generation Genesis back in 2008, it sought to make the luxury car’s newly-developed rear-wheel drive platform by building a less-expensive coupe with a sportier bent. In size and price, the Genesis Coupe was close to cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, although it offered V6 and turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains only, rather than a V8. It’s by far the sportiest production car Hyundai has ever offered.

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The successor model will retain a rear-wheel drive platform, and could take styling cues from the Vision G concept Hyundai unveiled in 2015. A previous rumor suggested it could get a 480-horsepower  3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. The next coupe may also share a platform with Genesis’ upcoming BMW 3 Series-fighting G70, positioning it to compete against the 4 Series.

The Genesis brand currently includes two sedans. The G80 was previously sold as the Hyundai Genesis, while the G90 is an all-new model that replaces the Hyundai Equus. In addition to the G70 sedan and the Genesis Coupe replacement, the luxury brand is expected to launch at least one SUV in the next few years.

Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Hyundai will get a new performance model to replace the outgoing Genesis Coupe. That model’s departure leaves only the lukewarm Veloster Turbo and Elantra Sport to shore up Hyundai’s performance credentials. The Korean carmaker’s nebulous “N” performance brand may eventually introduce sportier versions of existing models, but Hyundai won’t say when that will happen.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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