Report: Hyundai Genesis Adding Twin-Turbo V-6 by 2018

A report fromAutomotive Newsdetails Hyundai's plans to bring turbocharged power to the Hyundai Genesis for the 2017 or 2018 model year. The report outlines the plans for a twin-turbo V-6 engine pumping out nearly the same 420 hp of the 5.0-liter V-8 engine in today's Genesis sedan.

In an interview withAutomotive News¸ CEO of Hyundai North America Dave Zuchowksi said the move toward turbocharging was to help meet stricter fuel-economy regulations. "You're going to see smaller displacement, more use of turbocharging. A lot of it is weight-related, all of it is CAFE-related," he said.

Hyundai has already gone to great lengths to add forced induction to nearly its entire lineup, most recently with the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder included on the newly revealed Hyundai Tuscon. The Sonata and Veloster also have turbocharged inline-four engines.

There is no word on the fate of the Tau 5.0-liter V-8 currently available as an option in the Genesis sedan; it is also used as the base engine in both the Equus and the Kia K900, which is related to the last-generation Genesis. If the twin-turbo V-6 can return the same power figures as the V-8 with higher fuel economy and lower weight, the 5.0 may stick around only for the larger Equus.

Rumors have circulated for some time about Hyundai launching a downsized V-6 turbo engine to bridge the gap between the base naturally-aspirated V-6 and the range toping 5.0. It's possible Hyundai could use the Genesis sedan's existing 311-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 as the basis for its twin-turbo engine.

Look for more information on the future of Hyundai turbocharging closer to the debut of the 2017 Genesis.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)