Hyundai reveals concept to tackle BMW?s 3-Series

• Breaking News: 2016 New York motor show
• Hyundai's Genesis to be reborn as solo brand
• Hyundai plans six-model Genesis range

Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis has given a tantalising glimpse of how parts of its upcoming range will look with a stunning new concept vehicle at this week's New York auto show.

Dubbed the New York Concept, the mid sized four door sedan with coupe-like proportions gives a preview of a Mercedes C-Class sized luxury car from the Korean manufacturer.

While the concept gives the best clue yet to the look of the upcoming G70 sedan that Genesis is aiming at European luxury rivals, don't expect it to be translated directly into metal that will be seen on the street.

With its wide hips, rakish nose and futuristic interior the NYC is more a design study than an actual production car, according to design chief Luc Donckerwolke.

"This is a development phase of the brand Genesis, so this is not a production car," he said.

"We have already announced we are building the brand around six models and this is basically showing a way of moving the brand in terms of DNA."

Those models will include sedans, crossovers and SUVs on a smaller scale to the latest G90 large luxury car.

Described as a "luxury performance vehicle" the NYC is powered by a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre direct injection engine with electric motor.

Although engineering details are scarce, the engine is said to produce 180kW, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

No vehicle dimensions have been released, but Genesis designers say it is slightly longer than a BMW 4-Series coupe.

Inside, the driving environment is dominated by a 21-inch display made by LG electronics that incorporates gauges and multimedia displays.

While it is difficult to see elements such as that huge display, let alone 21-inch wheels and door handles raised from the waistline as details that will ever see production, what the NYC does show is that Genesis is determined to go beyond the somewhat conservative look of its production G90 sedan.

That means that when a smaller BMW, Mercedes and Audi rival arrives, it will have a completely different look.

"You won't see a clone or a scaling of, for instance, the G90," Mr Donckerwolke said.

"The different segments will all have their own identity."

"What we want to do is simply get the DNA right which is the stance on the wheels, the type of elegance we are promoting. These are the elements you will see in the car, a mixture of sporting and elegance."

It follows a new flagship model in the Genesis G90 that debuted at the Detroit motor show in January.

The compact new car is likely to be part of a broad model range that will include a choice of luxury sedans, coupes and SUVs.

Hyundai confirmed in January that its next-generation Genesis coupe will be a rival to luxury cars such as the Audi A5, rather than a sports car to tackle Nissan's 370Z.

- with David McCowen