Hyundai shows the world it knows about luxury with ‘Vision G’ concept coupe

It looks like Hyundai’s trying to shed its reputation of sensible mid-range family cars. The South Korean automaker recently unveiled its “Vision G” concept to a select group of US journalists and, apart from a gaping fish-mouth of a front grill it appears to be everything you could possibly want from a luxury coupe.

According to a press release marking the occasion, the Hyundai’s team of designers centered their work on the notion of “chivalry” when putting the Vision G together. This, they felt, best defined the idea that one doesn’t need to shout to be noticed and respected.

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According to Hyundai president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer:

“The design is our interpretation of the idea that Hyundai breathes into all of its vehicles – a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don’t need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues.”

That design ethos apparently also includes building in technology that automatically opens the door as the driver approaches “as if being opened by a valet”. We’d call that a bit flash, but we don’t tend to operate on an ethos designed for Medieval knights.

“In keeping with a design that speaks to the owner rather than ‘the spectators’ who might see the car on the road, Vision G appears dynamic and in constant motion,” said Christopher Chapman, head of Hyundai’s US design center and leader of the coupe’s design team. “After all – and if all is right in the world – the only time an owner sees the exterior of the car is when it’s standing still.”

Under the lid, the Vision G comes with a 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine producing 420 horsepower at 6 000 rpm and 383 lb. ft. of torque at 5 000 rpm.

All in all, it looks like something you wouldn’t be ashamed to drive (although we’d probably disable the automatic door). You don’t even have to worry about the badge, because Hyundai’s labeled it a Genesis.