By Derryn Wong

Earlier this year CarBuyer was one of the first to break news that the Hyundai Genesis would be launched in Singapore in 2014, as confirmed by local dealer Komoco. While a precise launch date is still to be announced, Komoco says we can expect the car to arrive sometime in the second half of the year.

Hyundai launching a Genesis here is a big deal – it’ll be the first Korean (well, of two) to debut a luxury model here. The original Genesis appeared in 2008, in both sedan and coupe form, running on an all-new rear-wheel drive platform. It attracted much praise for taking the fight to the Continent and Japan, and was a great showcase for the Hyundai-Kia conglomerate’s ambitions. Following the Genesis were the Equus and Kia Quoris K9, both luxury limousines aimed at car like BMW’s 7 Series.

Hyundai pulled the covers off the second-gen Genesis model at Detroit this year, and that’s the same model that will be coming to Singapore. Here we take an in-depth look at the new Genesis and its huge array of features, as well as what buyers can expect from this brash new kid on the big sedan block.

Platform

The new underpinnings are an evolved version of the first-gen Genesis and boasts up to 50 percent high-tensile steel, which Hyundai boasts boosts rigidity by 16 percent and bending rigidity upped by 40 percent, thanks to techniques such as laser welding and hot stamping.

Chassis

Like many big luxury sedans, the Genesis runs on a multi-link suspension setup, with a five-link unit for both front and rear. Hyundai says the new setup has been improved over the old one, offering more grip, feel and better ride quality. Active suspension, which Hyundai calls Continual Damping Control, will be an optional feature. Another new development is the electric steering, which as a variable gear ratio and rack-mounted motor for better feel and stability, plus less servo drag which improves fuel economy. Hyundai says the Genesis sedan was tested and tuned in collaboration with Lotus Engineering, at numerous places including Yeongam’s F1 circuit as well as the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Drivetrain

Globally, there are similar powertrain options to previous, with the 3.8-litre direct-injection V6, codenamed Lambda, with 311bhp and 400Nm of torque, and this is the version confirmed for the local market thus far. It sees slight tweaks, such as a variable intake system, upgraded cylinder block and oil pump. The range-topping model is the 5.0-litre V8 engine (although it won’t be sold in Singapore, sadly), codenamed ‘Tau’ with 420bhp and 520Nm of torque. Both engines are naturally-aspirated, and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox designed by Hyundai. For the first time the car will be offered with HTRAC, Hyundai’s all-wheel drive system, although it’s doubtful to be a choice in Singapore, it does display where the company’s priorities lie.

Interior

As a luxury sedan, the Genesis boasts a huge amount of convenience and comfort features. In addition to a leather-upholstered interior with different colour and trim combinations (matte wood is apparently an option), the car could pack premium features such as a Lexicon Logic 7 surround sound audio system with 17 speakers, linked to an infotainment system with an 8.0-inch display and navigation. The instrument cluster is a 4.3-inch TFT LCD display, which can be optionally upsized. The infotainment system can also integrate with Apple iPhones and Android phones, as well as Google Glass.

Safety

Hyundai offer a huge range of safety and awareness systems for the Genesis. As expected of a luxury car, ESP, ABS, EBD and TC is all standard, while there are nine airbags, including a driver’s knee, side impact and side curtain bags for both front and rear. Other systems include lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring, a heads-up display, automatic emergency braking, active cruise control, collision mitigation and avoidance, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.