Genesis previews its GV70 and G80 electric vehicles

After a slow start to its Australian market introduction, this luxury brand is banking on a new product onslaught to turn things around.

An electrified version of the GV70 SUV will spearhead an EV onslaught from Genesis. Picture: Supplied.

Hyundai’s luxury offshoot, Genesis, is going all in on electric cars.

The prestige car maker is preparing to launch three EVs in quick succession in the coming months. We had the chance to briefly get up close and personal with the electrified versions of the G80 sedan and GV70 SUV.

Both are pre-production prototypes and aren’t legally allowed to be driven on the road, but we headed to a small driver training centre in Sydney’s north for a bite-size drive.

The build quality isn’t as good as the final products that will appear in showrooms and some features are missing.

The Electrified GV70 is a modified version of the petrol car. Picture: Supplied.

Neither EV is built on the company’s purpose-built electric car platform that spawned the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. That will debut on the upcoming GV60 SUV.

Instead, Genesis has shoehorned an electric powertrain into vehicles initially designed to accommodate internal combustion engines.

Both feel more conventional, which may appeal to some buyers who don’t want the futuristic design and layout of some EVs.

The GV70 is due to arrive in the second half of this year with prices sitting somewhere between $105,000 and $115,000 plus on-roads. The current petrol powered range-topper with a similar level of kit is priced at a little less than $100,000 drive-away.

The Electrified GV70 is powered by electric motors on the front and rear axles. Picture: Supplied.

The electric SUV is geared towards delivering a sportier drive. A pair of 180kW motors – one on each axle – provides all-wheel drive. Together they make a combined 320kW and 605Nm in normal driving.

Press a “boost” button on the steering wheel, though, and outputs jump to 360kW and 700Nm for a 10-second period.

This makes for extremely rapid acceleration, as maximum torque is delivered instantly.

There has been no bespoke local suspension tune, but the GV70 displays good body control and bump absorption through corners. We’ll reserve final judgment until a drive on open roads, though.

The dash houses a giant 14.5-inch centre screen. Picture: Supplied.

Drivers can change the character of the car by choosing between three driving modes – Sport, Comfort and Eco. These alter the car’s throttle response, steering feel and suspension firmness.

The GV70 is impressively quiet, with minimal tyre roar and just a hint of an electric hum. Genesis says the 77.4kWh battery is good for more than 450km of driving range.

Multistage regenerative braking helps charge the battery on the go. At its most aggressive level, the system will slow the vehicle dramatically if you lift off the accelerator pedal, bringing it to a halt without the need to press the brake pedal.

The GV70 can accept up to 350kW of charge, refilling the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes.

It also has vehicle-to-load capability, allowing the driver to power appliances from the car.

The cabin is a luxurious place, with plush carpet and quality materials throughout.

Front seats are heated and ventilated, as are the rear outboard seats.

The dash houses a giant 14.5-inch touchscreen, while there’s a classy digital instrument display in front of the driver. A booming 16-speaker Lexicon by Harman stereo provides the entertainment.

The G80 has less power than the GV70 EV but more range. Picture: Supplied.

GREEN LIMOUSINE

Due to arrive at roughly the same time as the GV70, the G80 electric sedan exudes more of a luxe cruiser vibe.

It uses a pair of 136kW electric motors in the same layout as the GV70 to make a combined 272kW and 700Nm.

The G80 benefits from a bigger 87.2kWh battery that boosts driving range to more than 500km. Rapid charging can get the battery from 10 per cent to 80 in about 22 minutes.

The roof is covered in solar panels that provide enough juice to power some electrical items such as aircon.

Genesis expects it to be priced between $140,000 and $150,000.

It scores plenty of premium features such as heated and ventilated front seats wrapped in plush Nappa leather. The rear window seats are heated and there are 9.2-inch displays on the back of each front seat. A 21-speaker stereo and a giant central screen add to its appeal.

Originally published as Genesis previews its GV70 and G80 electric vehicles