Report: New Hyundai RWD Sedan Could Challenge BMW 3-Series

Sources say Hyundai’s much-anticipated answer to the BMW 3 series and other compact RWD sports sedans should arrive in 2016, though precise timing is unclear. 

The rear-wheel-drive compact sedan, known inside Hyundai by the code-name RK, should be slightly larger than the BMW 3 series and share design cues and driving characteristics with the Genesis Coupe.

Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said the Korean brand may have room for a premium model to join its Equus and Genesis sedans. “That’s one of the conversations,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say that within a couple of years there may be another premium nameplate.” “That’s a space where we think there’s some opportunity.”

The executive declined to say what the third model could be but the RK’s codenamed model is developing to fight with BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. Powertrain details are scarce, but it would make sense for the sedan to be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDi engine, likely the 2.0-liter used in the Genesis Coupe or the 3.3-liter V6 used in the Azera.

Source: [AutoNews]