Genesis details Aussie-bound G80 sedan range

BY CALLUM HUNTER | 30th Oct 2020

GENESIS has detailed the local pricing and specification details of its G80 premium sedan with the big four-door due to touch down here next month from $84,900 plus on-road costs.

Set to be offered in both four- and six-cylinder guises, the G80 line-up will consists of two variants and wade into the local premium large sedan market up against established heavyweights including the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF.

It should come as no surprise that the range is kicked off by the four-cylinder variant – dubbed the 2.5T – which as the name suggests, is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine good for 224kW/422Nm.

Drive is sent exclusively to the rear wheels while gear shifting duties are catered for by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Under the bonnet of the flagship 3.5T ($99,900) meanwhile resides an equally fitting twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine developing 279kW/530Nm.

Unlike its lesser counterpart, the six-banger channels its power to all four wheels however it does employ the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

Not only does the 3.5T AWD boast more firepower than the 2.5T, it also comes as standard with beefier hardware under the skin including bigger and more powerful brakes (four-pot front callipers gripping 360mm rotors vs single pistons acting on 345mm discs), a bigger fuel tank (73L vs 65L), bigger alloy wheels (20-inch vs 19-inch) and stickier tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Pilot Sport 4).

The 3.5T AWD’s biggest trump card however is the standard inclusion of Genesis’ Road-Preview adaptive electronic suspension which scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension characteristics accordingly – the 2.5T makes do with a conventional system.

While the mechanicals of the two variants may be very different, the standard equipment lists read virtually word-for-word with the interior design also remaining the same.

Based around the ‘beauty of white space’ philosophy, the G80’s cabin is minimalistic, headlined by the 14.5-inch Genesis infotainment touchscreen, rotary gear-selector and 12-inch head-up display.

Other standard features include wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, panoramic sunroof, 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio system, dual-zone climate control with independent temperature control for the rear seats, DAB+ radio, power adjustable steering column, remote start, power boot with hands-free opening and retractable rear door sun-shades.

Further to this, a $13,000 Luxury Package adds a Nappa leather-appointed interior, luxury quilted seat pattern, suede headlining and pillars, three-zone climate control, 12.3-inch full instrument cluster with 3D function, smart parking assist, remote smart parking assist, 18-way adjustable driver’s seat, ergo motion massage function for driver’s seat, heated and ventilated rear outboard seats, power-adjustable rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, power rear-window sunshade and dual 9.2-inch rear seat entertainment touchscreens.

According to Genesis Motors Australia CEO Jun Heo, the G80 “takes the Genesis Athletic Elegance philosophy to stylish new heights, while introducing an array of advanced safety and luxury technologies”.

“In Genesis G80, appealing design, advanced technology, exceptional dynamics and superb comfort complement an unprecedented luxury experience, courtesy of the Genesis To You concierge service and all-inclusive ownership experience,” he said.

As with previous Genesis models, the G80 comes as standard with an “unmatched” abundance of active and passive safety features including forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision avoidance-assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assist, blind-spot view monitor, driver attention warning, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, multi collision brake, safe exit assist, smart cruise control, high beam assist, pre-active seat belt for front seats, pre-active adjustment safe seat for the passenger seat, rear occupant alert and surround-view monitor.

Genesis has sold just 35 examples of the outgoing G80 so far this year ending September, accounting for 2.2 per cent of the $70,000-plus large car segment, a far cry from the 36.3 and 32 per cent shares occupied by the E-Class and 5 Series respectively.

2021 Genesis G80 pricing*