Genesis has unveiled its new BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival, the G80, ahead of an Australian arrival in the second half of 2020.
Following in the footsteps of the GV80 SUV revealed in South Korea earlier this year, the G80 sedan rides on a new platform, features a more upmarket interior, and adopts the distinctive looks of its SUV big brother.
At 4995mm long and 1925mm wide with a 3010mm wheelbase, the G80 is a handy 59mm longer and 57mm wider than a BMW 5 Series, with a 35mm longer wheelbase.
Not that the G80 looks like a conventional large luxury sedan.
With its unique grille and headlamp treatment, racy roofline, and sloping rear deck lid, there’s more than a hint of Bentley about the design.
Inside, the driver sits behind a 12.3-inch digital display, backed by a head-up display and the 14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen.
Unlike the current Genesis G70 sedan, which shares its infotainment system with Hyundai, the new G80 appears to feature a more unique setup in keeping with its luxury billing.
The driver display is actually designed to project information in 3D, no cinema glasses required. Drivers can swap to a more conventional 2D setup if they’re feeling cross-eyed, however.
Also unique to the Genesis range is the rotary gear selector and touch-and-write infotainment controller sitting on the transmission tunnel.
Under the skin, the G80 rides on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the GV80 SUV, complete with an all-wheel drive option for the first time.=
Hyundai says it delivers a lower centre of gravity and incorporates more lightweight materials than before, helping slash 125kg from the previous model’s kerb weight.
It also allows for a lower seating position, which means that rakish roofline shouldn’t kill interior headroom.
Three engines will be offered: a 223kW/421Nm 2.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, a 279kW/530Nm 3.5-litre turbo petrol V6, and a 154kW/441Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
Genesis hasn’t confirmed which engines will be coming to Australia, but it’s likely the G80 sedan will be offered with a full range of engines locally like its GV80 sibling.
Regardless of powertrain, the G80 features improved door seals, better sound insulation in the engine bay, and acoustic glass to keep the cabin quiet.
A full suite of semi-autonomous safety assists is likely to be standard in Australia, ranging from Hyundai’s latest highway driving assist to adaptive cruise control that learns the driver’s style and tries to match it.
Remote Smart Parking Assistant, dubbed Smart Park in the regular Hyundai range, can pull in and out of tight parking spaces with no driver on board.
“The core of our brand lies within the G80,” said William Lee, executive vice president and global head of Genesis.
“This segment represents where we started and we’re pleased that our newest offering achieves a perfect balance of discerning luxury and inspiring performance for our customers.”
