Testing of Hyundai's highly-anticipated Genesis rear-drive, V-8-powered sedan continues, with the latest prototypes of the vehicle spotted recently in both California and Michigan.
Motor Trend reader Chaz Stevens recently caught a Genesis mule outside a Huntington Beach hotel, with KGP's spies snagging another in the Detroit area, scoring the first snaps of the prototype's updated interior.
On the inside, the overall dash design is similar to those spied on earlier prototypes, although there have been several interior changes that have centered on updating the Genesis' electronic functions.
A dial setup similar to systems that have been popping up on several luxury brands is now evident below the transmission selector and will more than likely control numerous features in the large navigation screen setup. It remains to be seen if Hyundai has learned lessons from systems such as iDrive and has made its system easy-to-use and understand.
The wood rim steering wheel features multiple controls, the stereo dials have been revised, and according to the KGP spies, the instrumentation will use an electroluminescent display similar to that pioneered on Lexus vehicles.
On the exterior, the car's profile and greenhouse appears to be about the same as the show car that debuted at this year's New York Auto show, along with lighting features still evident in the rear view mirrors. A shark fin antenna now sits at the rear of the roof.
The grille looks to have undergone several changes, with the concept's oddly shaped round-cornered rectangle arrangement now a more traditional five-slat setup. The prototype's headlights are also more conventional -- losing the LED accents of the show car -- but appear pointed and stretch back into the front fenders. Integrated turn signals are expected to be a part of the lighting package. Along the bottom, the fog lamp and lower intake also appear to have been toned down as well. The rear is still heavily camoed, but there's a bulge along the rear of the trunk lid that could be hiding a spoiler. The dual chrome tailpipes have been retained.
Expect to see the Genesis, which will be powered in base trim by a 3.8-liter V-6 with the 4.6-liter V-8 optional, hit U.S. streets sometime in 2008, with next January's 2008 Detroit show a solid bet to see the final production version.