Genesis debuts sleek new G80 sedan

GENESIS has released full international details of the all-new third generation of its G80 executive sedan, which is said to embody the very core of the Hyundai-owned luxury brand.

Due to launch in Australia in the second half of this year, the latest G80 bears virtually no resemblance to its predecessor other than its approximate size, with the all-new model featuring many of the styling cues first seen on the related GV80 SUV.

This was anticipated given Genesis is now a standalone brand and that this is the first fully redesigned G80 under the new regime. The previous version was a facelift of the model formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis.

Designed using the same ‘Athletic Elegance’ design language, the G80 shares the GV80’s sunken quad-headlight arrangement, the so-called ‘crest grille’ and matching quad tail-lights, while a similar parabolic line runs down each flank – the main difference being the G80’s swooping roofline as opposed to the SUV’s wagon body style.

Chrome trim and subtle ‘power lines’ have been incorporated to enhance the elegance and muscularity of the new G80’s stance, with the whole package looking more purposeful than before.

According to Genesis design boss Sang Yup Lee, the new G80 is the centrepiece of the brand’s model line-up with a perfect balance of “athletic and elegant” characteristics.

“This represents the clearest interpretation yet of the Genesis brand identity,” he said. “Our goal is to offer unique, design-inspired experiences for our customers.”

Not only does the vehicle look more purposeful and elegant than before, it is also lighter, with Genesis claiming a 19 per cent weight reduction over the outgoing model, equating to a 125kg saving on the base model.

While Australian specifications are still to be confirmed, three engines have been developed for the new G80: a 223kW/421Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol; 279kW/530Nm 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 petrol; and 154kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Transmission duties are taken care of by the same in-house-designed eight-speed torque-converter automatic as the GV80.

With an emphasis on luxury and refinement,

Genesis has not yet provided performance or economy figures, but said the emphasis was on luxury and refinement – and that “performance doesn’t mean acceleration to everybody”.

Refinement measures include the use of acoustic glass and high levels of engine compartment sound insulation.

The doors and windows also score improved sealing while the electronically adjustable suspension uses ‘road preview’ technology that Genesis says can scan the road surface ahead and adjust the damping rate to suit.

“The all-new G80 brings all the existing strengths from the previous generations, all the while upgrading the powertrain, platform and communication system with state-of-the-art technologies,” said Hyundai Motor Group president and head of research and development Albert Biermann.

“It’s a true, authentic Genesis.”

As per the GV80, designers have again applied the ‘Beauty of White Space’ theme to create a minimalist but elegant interior adorned with leather and wood trim with the door sills/armrests swooping upwards to meet the dashboard, creating the illusion of an immersive and wraparound cockpit.

A widescreen 14.25-inch infotainment screen sits atop a clutter-free dashboard, which has only a handful of infotainment shortcut buttons and the climate-control interface.

Similar to the GV80, the centre console is mostly occupied by storage facilities, the rotating gear selector and relevant switchgear.

Overall interior space has increased compared to the previous model, in part due to an extra 40mm in overall width, while rear headroom and legroom in particular improve with the use of lower-mounted seats.

Drivers are greeted by a multifunction leather-clad steering wheel behind which lies a 12.3-inch instrument cluster featuring both analogue gauges and digital readouts.

Leather upholstery is standard across all variants in the Korean domestic market, as is the head-up display and the ‘touch-and-write’ infotainment system.

Other standard equipment includes an automatic posture-correcting powered driver’s seat, ambient mood lighting, Lexicon sound system, front seat heating and ventilation, Active Sound Design for petrol models, dual rear seat touchscreens, twin-filter air purification system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Remote Smart Parking Assistant, AR navigation, Genesis QuickGuide, valet mode, Home Connect and over-the-air wireless updates for the navigation system.

Safety duties are taken care of by a wealth of active and passive systems including 10 airbags, Highway Driving Assist 2, intelligent cruise control with machine learning, pre-active safety seat, forward collision-avoidance assist and blind-spot mitigation.