Hyundai Motor Co.'s luxury sub-brand Genesis unveiled its entry-level G70 sedan Friday to tap into the fast growing segment, which is currently led by premium European marques, such as BMW's 3 series and the Mercedes-Benz C-class.

The G70 is the latest model in the luxury lineup and slots in under the larger G80 and G90 executive sedans, the South Korean automaker said.

"We launched the G70 to complete the Genesis sedan lineup and meet growing customer needs in the market," said Yang Woong-cheol, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor in charge of research and development, in a press briefing at the carmaker's Namyang R&D Center, southwest of Seoul. "We will focus our investment and R&D efforts on adding various SUVs and eco-friendly models to the Genesis lineup in the next two to three years."

Models pose in front of G70, a midsize luxury sedan by Hyundai Motor's sub-brand Genesis, during a launching event held in Hwaseong on Sept. 15, 2017. (Yonhap)

The G70 is priced at between 38 million won (US$34,000) and 52 million won, and will go on sale in the domestic market next Wednesday.

The new sedan comes in three versions, giving a choice of a 2.0 gasoline turbo engine, a 2.2 diesel engine or the top-of-the-line 3.3 petrol twin-turbo, and measures in at 4,685 millimeters long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,400 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,835 mm, giving the car a very well-planted and aggressive stance, especially if customers 17~18 inch low profile times.

The 2.0 gasoline direct injection (GDI) turbo engine can pump out a max 252 ponies and 36 kilogram-force meters of torque, and the 2.2 diesel variable-geometry turbocharger engine can generate up to 202 horsepower and 45 kilogram-force meters of twist.

The top 3.3 GDI turbo can do zero to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds, faster than Kia's Stinger sports car, which was released earlier in the year and can hit the same speed in 4.9 seconds. This twin turbo is capable of 52 kilogram-force meters of torque with horsepower peaking at 370 horses.

The G70 also incorporates numerous advanced driver assist systems such as, a color head-up display, Highway Driving Assist (HDA), best-in-class safety with nine standard airbags and active hood function, and a high level of connectivity with server-based voice recognition technology, using Kakao Corp's artificial intelligence platform.

With its advanced sensor system, the G70 can detect a bicycle in front of it and automatically bring the vehicle to a halt if the driver fails to brake.

G70 will hit the North American market in March and go on sale in Middle East, Russia and Australia in early 2008, the company said, setting the sales target in the initial year at 15,000.

Adding to the three models, Genesis will launch a fully revamped G80 sedan, three luxury SUV models and even an eco-friendly model by 2021. The first SUV model is expected to reach consumers in 2019.

Manfred Fitzgerald, who takes in charge of leading the Genesis brand, said the new lineup with a dynamic body and elegant interior design shows the fledging sub-brand's efforts to adapt to the changing customer needs in the luxury segment.

"You have to have a great brand and a great product. Development of a great brand is definitely as important as developing a great product. One cannot live well without the other," Fitzgerald told reporters.

"We are the new kid on the block, so we have enough room for improvement in each and every area," said the former director of brand and design at Lamborghini. "I was challenged, but what is not a challenge?"

While the Stinger, the new sports car launched by Hyundai's sister company Kia, may share the same platform and components in some areas, he said it's up to customers on which brand they choose.

"As a corporation, it is normal and economical in a sense to share the platform and components," he said. "It's all about how do you bring that across to the customers so that they don't feel they are driving the same car."

Genesis, meanwhile, said along with the "Athletic Elegance" styling cue being adopted across the line of its models, capped with its signature "Crest Grille" up front, depending on the engine, two-wheel drive or all wheel drive (AWD) configuration chosen and tires, the G70 will get different levels of fuel economy that can meet variety of needs. The most fuel efficient is the 15.2 kilometer per liter rated for the 2.2 diesel driving two wheels with 17-inch rims, while the thirstiest is the 8.6 kilometers for a liter of petro for the 3.3 twin turbo AWD driven on 19-inch threads. (Yonhap)

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