Report: Hyundai’s new Genesis luxury brand wants to chase after plug-in hybrids

AutomotiveNews recently sat down with Hyundai Motor America’s Dave Zuchowski, who confirmed that Hyundai’s new Genesis brand will soon start to produce some models with plug-in hybrid powertrains, because, ya know, electrification is the new wave these days.

“We believe alternative-propulsion engines are going to be really important – even more important in the luxury market than they are in the mainstream market,” Zuchowski said to AN.

However, Mr. Zuchowski obviously kept the specifics away from the press, but speculation hints at either the G80 or G90 as the recipients for the plug-in hybrid powertrains. This is in a move to better compete with the plug-in hybrid models already available on sale from German rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. More are due from Audi, Cadillac, and even Infiniti.

That said, as an aspiring luxury brand, Genesis has to follow suit.

Details for their system are also unavailable, but for now, Genesis has Hyundai’s latest twin-turbo 3.3L V6 with 365hp and 376 lb-ft of twist, and their 5.0L 420hp V8 with 383 lb-ft at their disposal.

The G80, formerly the Hyundai Genesis sedan, still gets the naturally-aspirated 3.8L V6 as the six-cylinder option.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutomotiveNews

Chris Chin

Chris Chin is the Editor-In-Chief of egmCarTech and is a regular contributor to Automobile Magazine.

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