Genesis sure is getting a lot of headlines lately. That wasn’t always the case.
Yesterday, we told you of spy photos showing a compact hatchback/crossover vehicle that’s destined to become the fledgling premium brand’s new electric vehicle. What name it will bear, and what type of performance and range it can offer, is unknown, but Genesis will most definitely benefit from Hyundai’s new e-GMP dedicated EV architecture and its fast-charging 800-volt electrical system.
Then another electric Genesis appeared, this one looking quite familiar.
Familiar, yet mysterious.
As revealed by Britain’s Autocar, the model spotted humming along near the automaker’s German technical center was a next-generation G80 — a vehicle we’re all familiar with. Sporting a brace of turbocharged engines, the 2021 should arrive in dealerships soon, with European customers offered the choice of a diesel engine. However, this particular G80 seemed to carry neither propulsion source.
The grille is blocked off, implying that the vehicle’s powerplant requires little in the way of airflow. Exhaust tips cannot be seen out back, and if there’s a fuel door, it’s well hidden (and not in the typical spot). Of course, the same can be said for a charge port, but the first two pieces of evidence implies there’s some form of electron portal in the vehicle’s envelope.
Genesis hasn’t said anything about a looming EV variant of its G80, but, assuming the updated model is capable of shoehorning a sufficient battery load into its bowels, such an addition would help the brand make inroads into the emissions-averse Euro market. The automaker has talked up its ambitions for the UK market before, and that’s a country that would like to ban gas-powered vehicles yesterday.
[Image: Genesis Motors]
Up to this point I have seen a handful of reviews for it although limited at least three of them stated that the engine bay of the car is pretty large and appears to be big enough for a variety of engine choices. This would be a pleasant surprise. I dont think that they are willing to invest in an full EV in this size class so if they made this from the beginnings as something that they could do with it that would make alot of sense.
Never enough grille these days.
I thought we hit peak grille with the woodchuck garbage going on with what was the Ultimate Driving Machine.
I was wrong!
This is nothing compared to the Avalon, which can only be challenged by other Toyotas like the Crown and the Alphard.
I seem to recall the Focus RS requiring some plastics blocks in the car because there was too much airflow. I can’t recall the precise rationale and want to say it had something to do with the intercooler freezing. However, that doesn’t make intuitive sense and I can’t quite wrap my head around why it would be.
In the Genesis/Hyundai/Kia lineup, I’d have to say the Kia face is the least obnoxious. With that said, I personally find the Tiger Nose to be a bit played out. Obviously, some cars wear that mode better than others, but…
Modern cars have developed a problem with breathing, EV even more so. How about EVs with a supercharger? How about Genesis EV with shaker hood scoop?
How about naming your EV “turbo”?? :)
Twin turbo is even better.
Wait… There was a first Genesis EV?
In the beginning God created the Hyundai and Kia. And God said: “Let there be EV”, and there was EV. God saw that the EV was good, and he separated the EV from the Hyundai and called it “Genesis“.
The 1st Genesis EV will be the eG80 and not the smallish one on a dedicated BEV platform, and the 2nd one will likely be the eGV70.