Hyundai Confirms a Twin-Turbo V-6 for the Genesis

2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan (Credit: © Hyundai)

The mpg race is on once again in the automotive world, as manufacturers are performing whatever voodoo they can to squeeze some extra miles from each gallon of fermented dino blood. One direction some automakers have gone is to reduce displacement and add in turbocharging, and it looks like this is the path Hyundai will take with its Genesis sedan.

This report comes courtesy of Dave Zuchowski himself, the CEO of Hyundai America, via Automotive News. Zuchowski told Auto News that he expects to see the twin-turbo V-6 engine in the Genesis in 2017 or 2018. In addition, he announced that its output will approach the 420 ponies that the 5.0-liter Tau V-8 produces. This likely spells the end for the engine I fell in love with when I tested the Kia K900.

The Hyundai chief also stated that turbocharging will become the new trend for the brand moving forward. This is no more evident than in the 2016 Tucson, which traded its 2.4-liter four-cylinder for a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot that is down a few ponies but up a full 5 mpg across the board.

While the old saying “there’s no replacement for displacement” may be in many of your thoughts, I am here to say that it’s being replaced by forced induction. Modern turbocharging is a beautiful thing. Gone are the days of huge turbo lag and winding out the engine to get any sort of power from it. Modern turbos tend to spool up in the 1,500 to 2,500 rpm range, putting their max torque just off idle. This immediate torque makes for a much better drive, and it helps prevent mashing of the pedal to get the car up to speed.

There are no additional details to give on this new turbocharged V-6, but keep it locked here and we’ll bring you all of the juicy details as they become available.