Genesis unveils third-gen G80 sedan, H2 Oz launch

GENESIS has unveiled the third generation of its G80 executive sedan in a series of new renderings ahead of its South Korean launch later this month, while an Australian launch has been slated for the second half of the year.

Following in the footsteps of the GV80 SUV that was unveiled in January and scheduled to launch in Australia mid-year, the new G80 has been designed in accordance with the Genesis “Athletic Elegance” design language.

Given they follow the same design language, many parallels can be drawn between the design of the new G80 and its SUV counterpart, chief among which is the prominent “Crest Grille” flanked by the same quad headlights.

Hyundai Motor Group executive vice president and chief design officer Luc Donckerwolke said this combination has become a signature design element for the Genesis brand going forwards, creating an unmistakable identity for the cars.

“The crest of the logo becomes the Crest Grille and the two lines of the wings become the Quadlamps,” he said. “In other words, the design starts with the brand, and design is the brand.”

Compared will its second-gen counterpart, the new G80 features a lower, more coupe-like roofline – reminiscent of an Audi A7 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz CLS – and rides on an all-new platform and powered by a new range of engines.

Apart from confirmation that drive is sent to the rear wheels, few details have been released as to the G80’s powertrain options – although subtle ‘35T’ badging strongly suggests it will share the GV80’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is rated at 283kW and 529Nm.

Logic would also dictate it be paired to the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

Viewed from the side, a prominent parabolic line runs from the top corner of the grille all the way down the flanks of the car to the base of a subtly integrated rear lip spoiler.

Laying between the double stacked headlamps are two LED daytime running light strips with a line that can be traced down the side of the car below the parabolic line by matching side indicators and matching tail-lights that creep around from the rear of the car.

Rolling duties are left to five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels similar to those found on the GV80, complimented by matching silver trim around the glasshouse.

At the rear there is the aforementioned “Quadlamp” tail-light arrangement sitting below a notably low boot line and spanning a concave rear panel.

Between the tail-lights is the badging, all of which sits flush with the would-be lines of the tail-lights.

Fitting snuggly into the rear bumper are a pair of chrome exhaust tips loosely mimicking the shape of the front grille.

Inside the cabin, designers have once again utilised the “Beauty of White Space” theme to create a minimalist but elegant interior full of leather and wood-finish trim.

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

Similar to the GV80, the centre console is mostly occupied by storage, the rotating gear selector and a handful of buttons.

Genesis senior vice president and head of design Sang Yup Lee said the interior strived to find the “perfect balance between personal space and state-of-the-art technology”.

“Technology should not dominate and only present itself when necessary,” he said.

The door trim and armrests reflect the swooping curves of the exterior and rise up to meet the dashboard while a thin, singular air vent runs all the way across the interior from the bottom of the instrument cluster to the driver’s door.

Genesis has sold 15 cars to the end of February this year, 10 of which were sold in January with the current generation G80 making up eight of the 15 sales so far.