Genesis, the Hyundai Motor Group’s premium luxury brand, is adding a sportier model to its G80 range. To be known as the G80 Sport, it will be launched in the third quarter of this year. No doubt, this model will be an important one for the European market which the Korean brand has just begun entering.
Genesis design identity
The G80 range was launched last March and the G80 Sport uses the same Genesis’ design identity of ‘Athletic Elegance’ but has its own front end design. Additionally, the radiator grille has a dark glossy chrome, and a 3-dimensional wing-shaped front bumper accents the intake grille. Black bezels around the LED headlamps also contribute to the bold and sporty look.
Lower down, the G80 Sport will have exclusive 20-inch dark sputtering alloy wheels with their G-Matrix Pattern and two additional caliper colours offered in black and red.
There is also a unique bumper design at the rear to give a powerful and aggressive appearance. The Genesis designers adjusted the colour of the bootlid molding too, while adding a new diffuser design to the bumper.
The G80 Sport will be available in Cavendish Red, an exclusive new colour. The name is inspired by a cliffside on the north coast of Prince Edward Island in Canada, while the colour was drawn from the area’s famous red cliffs.
Sport-specific equipment
Inside, the G80 Sport receives the Sport model-specific 3-spoke steering wheel, and the dashboard garnish comes in 3 different designs including Sport-exclusive real aluminium, real carbonfibre, and a diamond-patterned hybrid weaving pattern, which will debut for the first time ever in the G80 Sport.
Customers will also be able to choose exclusive seat quilting designs based on their choice of a diamond or V pattern. They have a choice of three interior colour themes, including black monotone with a choice between grey or red stitching, and Sevilla red.
Technical details are likely to be similar to the G80 sedan with additional emphasis on driving dynamics. The G80 Sport will also have Rear Wheel Steering to enhance cornering capabilities. The petrol powertrains available for the sedan are a 304 ps 2.5-litre turbocharged Inline-4 and 380 ps 3.5-litre turbocharged V6, as well as a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 210 ps.
The Genesis story
Genesis initially began as a model name, used for high-end luxury sedan under the Hyundai brand. However, in 2015, the carmaker decided that it should become a standalone brand. This followed the same sort of approach taken by Honda (Acura), Toyota (Lexus) and Nissan (Infiniti) when they wanted to move higher up in the market.
Until this year, Genesis has focussed on the Korean, North American and Russian markets. This year, it has entered China and since last month, it started its entry into Europe. The first European markets are the UK, Germany and Switzerland. Since 2015, Genesis has sold more than 500,000 vehicles, with the G80 accounting for more than half of that number.
