Hyundai's
upscale Genesis brand has big plans to expand its lineup. With the G80 and G90
sedans already in showrooms, recent trademark applications give us an idea of
the direction in which the Korean automaker plans on heading next.
Motor
Authority uncovered several of these applications with the US Parent and
Trademark Office, suggesting that both coupes and crossovers are in the works –
or at least under consideration.
The
applications include a series of GT nameplates, among them GT60, GT70, GT80,
and GT90. Though they clearly follow in the brand's nomenclature pattern, and
are sure to take a more luxury/touring approach than a pure performance
direction, we can't help but recall Ford's legendary Le Mans-conquering GT40
from the 1960s and the GT90 concept from 1995, with its Bugatti-baiting
6.0-liter quad-turbo V12. We won't hold out breath for something that
stratospheric, though.
For
sport-utes, Genesis apparently plans on deploying the letters GV, as we saw
with the GV80 concept at the New York Auto Show – the V ostensibly standing for
“versatility.” The applications include a GV60, GV70, and GV80 – but no GV90 to
put the brand in contention with the likes of the Mercedes GLS and forthcoming
BMW X7.
We're
also expecting G70 and G60 sedans to join the expanding lineup as well, moving
the brand from an intriguing but limited prospect to a full-line luxury
automaker.