Genesis sort of took the wraps off the new G80 midsize luxury sedan with a set of design renderings that look pretty much production-ready from where we are sitting. The new G80 marks the third generation of the car that’s supposed to steal customers from the likes of Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Can the G80 destabilize the German trio, though? Let’s try to find out, based on what info we have right now.
What’s so special about the new Genesis G80?
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To start with, not much is out of the bag yet. Genesis still has a lot of details un reveal, so for now we’ll make do with the few bits of info the carmaker made public.
More specifically, the main body of the logo gave birth to the downward-pointing grille, while the two lines of the wings helped designers create those neat-looking headlights that continue over to the side of the new G80. The same cluster graphic is continued in the rear with the taillights, pretty much like we’ve seen previously on the GV80, the first SUV built by Genesis.
Of course, Genesis could not help it and instilled a coupé-ish roof shape on the sedan, but we’re fine with it as long as they’re not calling this a four-dour coupé. The G80 rides on 20-inch wheel although we’re sure other sizes will be offered as well.
What’s the 2020 Genesis G80 like on the inside, then?
Genesis also mentions that it focused a lot of its attention towards reducing the thickness of the A-pillars and increasing the size of the rearview mirror, with the aim of “giving the driver a relaxed and panoramic view when seated.” Expect the G80 to flaunt the same elegant steering wheel as the GV80, together with the all-digital instrument cluster, a noise-cancelling system, cabin air-purifying, and quality materials.
What will power the 2020 Genesis G80?
That’s a mystery for now, but at this point, it’s same to assume that Genesis will simply use the same engines available for the GV80 SUV.
In South Korea, the GV80 can be had with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit good for 274 horsepower. In the U.S., however, customers might get two options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter entry-level engine churning out 290 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque and a 3.8-liter V-6 that cranks out 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of twist.
Genesis GV80 specifications
Engine | turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder | 3.8-liter V-6 | 5.0-liter Tau V-8 |
|---|---|---|---|
Horsepower | 290 HP | 311 HP | 420 HP |
Torque | 310 LB-FT | 293 LB-FT | 383 LB-FT |
Genesis is also rumored to be working on a new-generation V-6 with more power and more torque, so this too could be dropped under the new G80’s hood. The new mill is said to develop 350+ to 400 horsepower, but we’ll have to wait for official info to confirm or deny our guesstimates.
Last but not least, the range-topping G80 could get a V-8. If that’s the case, we expect the powerplant to produce around 420, maybe 450 horsepower and as much as 385, maybe 400 pound-feet of torque.
Genesis plans to fully reveal the 2020 G80 this month, so stay tuned.
