Audi is considering taking legal action against Hyundai after the South Korean manufacturer used an A8 in its domestic TV advertising for its new Genesis saloon model.

Hyundai has been airing the commercial since late December which shows a slow-motion video of a head-on collision between the two cars. A subtitle says the test was conducted in November at the Hyundai R&D center in Namyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Audi Korea said it is somewhat surprised to see it on TV without any prior notice from Hyundai.

A spokesman for Audi Korea said: "We are trying to find out what happened and are considering taking legal action."

Hyundai Motor only refers to the victimized car as a "European luxury car" in the advert but internet users immediately identified it as an Audi A8.

A Hyundai Motor spokesman said the ad was not intended to show that Genesis was structurally stronger than an A8.

He said: "We didn't say which one ensures more safety. We intended to give the message that Hyundai Genesis is now level with European luxury cars and that it can match them face-to-face."