Hyundai Genesis saloon news - Land of confusion - 2008

Sometimes, when a new car crops up that represents a bit of a departure from a company's usual styling philosophy, we play the hilarious office game of covering up the badge and getting people to guess the manufacturer. 

Thing is, even that's not necessary here. Click on the first picture and tell us what car this is. No point in looking for a badge, because there isn't one. And that might just be your best clue: who would build a good-looking car but refuse to put their own badge on the front? 

Any guesses? No? It's a Hyundai. The Genesis, to be precise, due to be formally launched in Detroit next week and set to go on sale in the US soon after. Looks good, doesn't it? OK, a bit Lexus-derivative, a bit Merc-ish around the grille, but that's no bad thing. 

The Genesis is part of Hyundai's big effort to 'do' the US and, judging by the numbers alone, it's got a good chance. Prices start at under $30,000 for the 3.3-lite V6 version, but it's the 4.6-litre V8 that we really like the sound of. 

Driving the rear wheels through a six-speed ZF auto' box, it'll see the Genesis to 60mph in under six seconds thanks to 368bhp of distinctly un-Korean power. It should get round corners too - Hyundai says the Genesis is 14 per cent stiffer than the BMW 5-Series, and has kitted it out with five-link front and rear suspension for good measure. 

There's tons of kit on board, from cooled seats and a reversing camera to an eight-inch satnav screen and radar cruise control. In fact, if you can get past the badge - or lack thereof - the Genesis looks like a rather tempting prospect. 

Problem is, it's not coming to the UK. A Hyundai spokesman said there are currently no plans to release the Genesis in Europe and, even if there were, none of the current markets are right-hand drive. 

More likely we'll see a coupe version of the Genesis, similar to the concept we saw in Las Vegas, some time in 2009. If it keeps that big V8 - and, even better, the £15,000 price tag - we'll be happy.