Despite previous reports to the contrary, Hyundai is reportedly still considering launching a premium sub-brand.

The plan would be to branch-off the Genesis name plate into its own marque, creating a mental gap between disparate products, that range from the $12,545 sub-compact Accent, all the way to the $59,000 Equus.

This latest rumbling is more than a rumor too, with the source being none other than Hyundai Motor America sales boss Dave Zuchowski. According to Zuchowski; “There’s a conversation going on within the company that says, ‘Does having the Hyundai badge on the premium vehicles sell more vehicles, or does it restrict us from selling more vehicles?

While no decision has yet been made, the plan would be to branch off the rear-drive models, including the Genesis Sedan, Genesis Coupe and Equus, removing the “H” badge from the cars and swapping out their current names for alphanumeric designations. The proposal, however, does not go as far as a new dealer network, with the cars continuing to be sold within the current dealership structure.

If Hyundai does move ahead with the plan, it could be implemented as early as late next year, when the first of the second-generation Genesis models arrive.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s anything but a secret: more gears mean better gas mileage. Mercedes-Benz packs a seven-speed automatic into many of its cars, Lexus uses an eight-speed transmission in its LS sedans, but these amply geared boxes are generally the things of luxury cars— until now.

We were the first to report that Hyundai had a 10-speed transmission in the works, having announced it at a tech briefing in Michigan. Hyundai has now confirmed that the transmission is under development, and will be in production as soon as possible, though details are still murky about which vehicles will get the technology. Given how aggressively automakers are pushing for better mileage year over year, it might make sense that the new gearbox would fall into Elantras or Accents rather than or alongside the luxurious Genesis and Equus. No doubt the transmission is being designed with the CAFE fuel economy regulations in mind that will come into effect fully in 2025 and expect a 54.4 mpg average rating.

We’ll keep you up to date as more emerges.

Now that we know what the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is going to look like, our speculation as to what will be under the hood can also end. Hyundai has officially announced that the new Genesis Coupe will come with a 2.0 TCI base engine and a direct-injection version of the Lambda 3.8. The 2.0L turbo will pack 275-hp while the 3.8L GDi will come with 350-hp – even more than the Genesis Sedan, which is rated at 333-hp.

Both engines will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual option. What is most impressive is that the V6 Genesis Coupe will pack more horsepower than the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

These details, while official, are for Korean-spec models. Official US specs won’t be announced until the Detroit Auto Show in January.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Last week we were treated with what was believed as a photoshop of the upcoming 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, but now official photos have slipped out and it looks like the supposed photoshop wasn’t far off. Thanks to a teaser posted up on the Korean Hyundai blog, we can now get a much better look at the highly anticipated refreshed Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Not much is a surprise, after seeing so many leaked photos and teasers of the new Genesis, but it’s nice to finally see it in its production flesh – with it’s Veloster-like snout.

The 2013 Genesis Coupe will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January and is expected to keep it’s two engine options, although with a significant bump in power. Look for the 2.0T engine to increase from 210-hp to 274-hp, while the 3.8-liter V6 should gain direct injection to offer 333-hp.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

[Source: Blog.Hyundai.com via Autoblog]

Despite being confirmed a Photoshop fake by Hyundai themselves to Jalopnik, we’re pretty confident that the production 2013 Hyundai Genesis will look very close to this render. We’ve already seen some spy shots here and here, which gives us reasons to believe that this Photoshop isn’t far off from the real thing.

Nonetheless, if this is what we’re to expect from Hyundai’s 2013 Genesis, it’s obvious that the coupe will be borrowing some styling cues from the Veloster, giving it quite the more aggressive stance. What we still don’t know is what will lie underneath the hood, but after checking out Rhys Millen Racing’s SEMA creation, one can only hope that Hyundai will offer a 5.0L V8 Genesis coupe somewhere in their model lineup.

[Source: Autoblog]

We’ve seen sneak preview shots of Enjuku Racing’s Hyundai Genesis project, and now it’s sitting happily at the BC Racing booth showing off its supercharged LS1 engine swap. The swapped Genesis is sitting on a new set of white BC Racing  wheels sporting a perfectly aggressive fitment. The LS1 swap is clearly executed well, sporting a Chase Bays wiring harness and a fancy supercharger.

The Genesis project is lowered on a set of BC Racing coilovers, while the LS1 has some goodies from ISIS Performance, SPEC Clutch and Quaife. A brake upgrade came courtesy of Wilwood while the carbon fiber goods are from VIS Racing.

You can check out a video of the Genesis here.

GALLERY: Enjuku Racing Supercharged LS1 Hyundai Genesis

Enjuku Racing’s SEMA Hyundai Genesis project is looking ready to roll into this year’s SEMA Show with its supercharged LS1 V8 engine swap. We first broke the news about their swapped project earlier last month, and now the folks over at Enjuku sent over photos of the completed Genesis along with a short video of the supercharged LS1 firing up and sounding healthy while taking its maiden voyage.

We’ll be checking out the project in person at the BC Racing booth at this year’s show, where it’ll be showing off its coilovers that gives this Genesis the stance it needs to show off the new Work Wheels VS-XX that now adorns each corner of the project. SPEC Clutch pitched in some help on the project while ISIS gives the LS1 swap some go-faster help. Wilwood also pitched in with a brake upgrade for the Genesis, while Quaife hooked Enjuku up with a high quality limited slip to get all the power to the ground. With the help of Chase Bays, the swap looks as clean as ever and Enjuku Racing will be offering a swap kit for those Genesis owners interested in doing a swap themselves.

GALLERY: Enjuku Racing Hyundai Genesis

Check out the video after the break and see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

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Even though its official North American debut is quite a ways off at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, several photos have surfaced throughout the Internet revealing the 2013 facelifted Genesis Coupe. Now we’ve spotted the most revealing photo of the Hyundai Veloster-influenced Genesis, featuring a much bolder front end while the rest of the body looks traditional Genesis-esque. We have little reason to believe that the actual production vehicle will stray very far from these leaked photos.

We’re still confident that Hyundai will equip the 2013 Genesis Coupe with a more powerful base 2.0L turbocharged engine with 274-hp, while the 3.8L V6 from the Genesis Sedan with 333-hp will be available as an option. The only thing that would make the next-generation Genesis Coupe killer would be a 5.0L V8 option with 429-hp – just like on the Genesis Sedan R-Spec model.

[Source: Hyundai-Blog.com]

Two weeks ago, Kia officially confirmed that it would unveil a rear-wheel drive four-door sports sedan at this month’s Frankfurt auto show.

Today, sources have revealed that Kia may call the sporty sedan, the Veredus. Kia has filed for a trademark on the Veredus name, and sources have also explained that the concept is the only vehicle in the company’s short-term product plan without a name.

The concept has sleek and muscular proportions, and will likely slide in between the Hyundai Genesis and Equus in terms of size. Kia’s future product plans also include an electric vehicle and a sedan based off the forthcoming Hyundai Azera.

GALLERY: Kia Veredus

[Source: Car and Driver]

Enjuku Racing, best known for campaigning several Nissan S13 chassis through Formula Drift and capturing the NOPI Drift championship one year, is turning towards a whole new chassis for SEMA this year. Starting with your run-of-the-mill Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the crazy minds at Enjuku Racing have decided that a supercharged LS1 powerplant would look much better in the engine bay.

The completed project will be unveiled in the BC Racing Suspension and Wheels booth at this year’s SEMA show and will feature BC Racing’s BR-Type coilovers and an aggressive set of 19×10-inch front, 19×11-inch rear BC Racing TA02 wheels. Enjuku also mentioned to us that they’ll be working their hardest to not have to cut away any of the car’s chassis or frame while doing the swap, giving them the ability to swap back in the factory motor if they wanted to. Helping to make sure that happens easily are the masterminds at Chase Bays, designing a wiring harness that’ll make everything seamless and adaptable. Enjuku Racing will also be custom fabricating their own headers and exhaust system for the swap.

Though this probably won’t turn into another Hyundai Genesis drift car joining Formula Drift alongside Rhys Millen, it’s nice to see more tuners out there looking for new ways to make the Genesis Coupe more popular amongst enthusiasts.

GALLERY: Enjuku Racing Supercharged LS1-Powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe