Hyundai will be taking on its German and Japanese rivals in the luxury saloon market with its new Genesis, revealed at the Detroit Motor Show this week.

The Genesis is built on Hyundai’s new rear-wheel drive system, which will also underpin a new Coupe later this year. Available engines include a 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre V6, plus Hyundai’s new 375bhp 4.6-litre Tau V8.

Tony Whitehorn, managing director of Hyundai UK, said: “There is no doubt that the Genesis will be as good – or better – than any other luxury saloon in the class. The i30 and Santa Fe have already proved that Hyundai can build world-beaters in the C-segment and 4x4 sector, and now Hyundai is showing it can do the same in the luxury sector.

“The British luxury car buyer has proven resistant to entry by new marques in the past, especially when there is no diesel-engined version available, but we are sure to see technology from the Genesis reaching UK Hyundai models in the future.”

There are currently no plans to launch the Genesis in the UK.

The Genesis will be priced to compete with the Chrysler 300 but Hyundai said the new saloon was benchmarked against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series and Lexus GS.