Autoblog Confirms Hyundai Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus to Get All-Wheel Drive
Don’t look now, but there is no doubt Hyundai is on a roll. The brand’s products are highly competitive entries in their respective segments up and down the spectrum.
Perhaps most startling though has been Hyundai’s upmarket ascension. It began with the Hyundai Azera and really came into its own with the Genesis.
CarThrottle experienced it for ourselves with our review of the Genesis Coupe earlier this year. The next step in Hyundai’s product blitz is the Equus. Hyundai isn’t content to rest on its laurels though, as word has come of further improvements.
Perhaps one of the greatest things to enthusiasts and those looking for a true luxury experience is the fact that Hyundai has offered up a credible rear-wheel drive platform.
This platform underpins the Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus. Rear-wheel drive has been a big differentiator over wannabe luxury pretenders.
For the next-generation, these platforms will be getting another option though – all-wheel drive. Many buyers, especially in luxury segments, opt for all-wheel drive. It is a profit-enhancing availability for the manufacturer, and as a safety and performance feature, enticing to buyers.
Autoblog contacted Hyundai president and chief executive officer John Krafcik, so the news is directly from the source. A potential possibility that has us salivating is a V-8 in the Genesis Coupe.
The current car is in the $20K range as a competitor the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. We could see the next car move upmarket. A V-8 could be just the way to help do that. That is an exciting prospect, as long as the car maintains its value proposition.

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This is exciting news. Hyundai stands to truly dominate in the future.
They will probably make the AWD an option only on their V6 (V8) models, as it seems most manufacturers limit engine/transmission combos, but if they were to offer the AWD in their 4-cylinder models, they would instantly become the leader in the sport compact segment.
Consider the L4 found in the Genesis Coupe is a derivative of the Mitsubishi 4B11T found in the latest Lancer Evolution. Hyundai has been using less robust versions the venerable Mitsubishi turbo-fours for many years now. They even had their own version of the 4G63.
If Hyundai allows customers to order up AWD, turbocharged 4-cylinder versions of the Genesis Coupe, they will sell like hot cakes. Not only would they steal market share from the likes of the Mustang and Camaro, but they would also be impacting sales at Mitsubishi and Subaru.
$40,000 for a loaded Evo X or $30,000 for a loaded Genesis Coupe?
$1000 invested into either under the hood would result in a 400hp weapon.