Most every top tier brand has a either an in house performance division, or at least a performance moniker to differentiate the performance models from the lessor models.
BMW has the "M" performance line, Mercedes-Benz with the AMG division, Audi's special division produces The S and RS lines and Lexus models are defined by the "F". All of these are top manufacturers in their own right and clearly want to express their technical prowess.
Even the mainline companies such as Mazda (MazdaSpeed), and Toyota (G) either are currently creating performance variants of their own or will be in the near future.
Face it guys, even while the automotive sector is clearly focusing on fuel economy, these divisions will be there focusing on the performance fan. While performance is not dead, it is also clearly changing from big and brawny engines to smaller yet equally powerful alternatives that will showcase the best facets of current technologies.
The future is on the wall and it is becoming increasingly apparent that if you want to run with THESE big boys, then you need to produce the big boy toys too. So with this in mind, shouldn't Korean juggernaut Hyundai have a performance division? Do they even need one? If so, what would it be like, and how would you define their direction?
2010 New York Auto Show
2011 Ford Mustang Photo Gallery
Geneva Motor Show Photo Gallery
2011 Hyundai Sonata Launch Photo Gallery