By Paul Rachwal
Tuesday, Aug 14th, 2012 @ 2:35 pm
 
The BMW 3-Series has long had a bull's eye target painted on its hood, with many Japanese brands and even other German automakers trying to unseat it as a favorite entry-level luxury sports sedan. Now, it seems even the Hyundai and Kia conglomerate are taking aim at the BMW roundel affixed to the best-seller.

The Korean automakers already have a rear-wheel drive platform that could compete, with the architecture that currently underpins the Genesis and its sportier Genesis Coupe. A source speaking to Automotive News revealed the 3-series fighter, which is reportedly being referred to by the RK moniker internally, won't come to market until 2014 at the earliest.

At the same time, the existing Genesis sedan is due to be re-engineered and restyled for the 2014 model year, arriving late next year, the same source indicated. The flagship Equus will get a refreshed exterior next summer as a 2014 model.

The tightly-linked Korean brands are consistently moving upmarket, with Kia having launched a large rear-wheel drive sedan, the K9, in South Korea earlier this year. It's based on Genesis underpinnings as well.