THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET heated in the luxury sports saloon category with the new Genesis G70 set to tackle the “usual European suspects” on their own turf.
The new 2021 G70 sports luxury sedan is now in showrooms.
The G70 introduces refreshed ‘Athletic Elegance’ design headlined by new Quad lamp architecture with chrome and dark chrome Genesis signature Crest Grilles.
It brings advanced new safety and convenience technology including a 10.25-inch infotainment unit, a 12.3-inch 3D digital cluster display for Luxury Package versions, additional Genesis Active Safety Control features and 10 airbags.
The rear-wheel drive dynamics and 2.0-litre turbo and 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo powertrains benefit from a new track-focused Sport+ drive mode and a revised dual-mode variable exhaust that enhances the note while taking the flagship’s output to 274kW.
Luxurious new upholsteries and trims and a broader range of personalisation choices, including an expanded exterior palette, round out a premium medium sedan package.
“We are delighted to introduce new 2021 G70, which ushers in newly sporty, dynamic design, refined performance, advanced technology and uncompromising safety,” Genesis Motors Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said.
Range Overview
The restyled 2021 G70 brings a significantly enhanced specification that delivers greater value across the range, as well as strengthening the technology and performance package in flagship variants.
G70 continues to offer two engines, both paired to an advanced in-house developed eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.
G70 2.0T variants are powered by an efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine producing 179kW of power and 353Nm of torque.
New G70 3.3T variants are powered by a revised 274kW, 510Nm twin-turbocharged petrol V6, with the modest power increase achieved through changes to the dual-mode variable exhaust system.
In addition, every 2021 G70 3.3T comes standard with a Sport package that brings additional styling and performance enhancements.
Key new range-standard safety equipment for 2021 includes rear side airbags and a segment-first front centre side airbag, taking the total airbag count to 10.
An expanded Genesis Active Safety Control package now includes the following systems in addition to an already extensive suite of advanced driver assistance technologies:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (pedestrian/vehicle/cyclist) – now with Junction Turning function
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear
- Blind-Sport View Monitor
- Lane Following Assist
- Surround View Monitor
- Multi Collision Brake
- Safe Exit Warning
- Rear Occupant Alert
Newly standard comfort and convenience features include a 10.25-inch Satellite Navigation Infotainment system, a Panorama Sunroof, an 8.0-inch supervision instrument cluster, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Two optional packages are offered for 2021 G70 – Sport Line Package and Luxury Package.
Luxury Package now incorporates a range of additional features headlined by a 12.3-inch full screen digital Instrument cluster with 3D function.
The package also incorporates additional safety tech in the form of a Forward Attention Warning, as well as an Intelligent Front-Lighting System, a power operated boot, and sound-insulating acoustic laminated front door glass.
Also available is an expanded choice of 15 matte, mica and metallic exterior colours across Sport and standard styling, paired with seven interior luxury trims.
Exterior styling
With our usual proviso that styling is a very personal matter, the G70 makes a bold first impression with a new Quad lamp LED headlight architecture flanking a signature Genesis crest grille featuring a chrome surround and insert.
Below each headlight, air curtain inlets provide definition and well as helping reduce aerodynamic drag.
A long dashboard to front axle ratio and short overhangs emphasise G70’s rear wheel drive and create a subtly cabin-rearwards silhouette.
Air guide exits add visual interest and a sporty touch to the front mudguards while body-coloured door handles with capacitive touch lock/unlock contribute to a smooth and clean look.
Every G70 now rides on staggered-width 19-inch alloy wheels that create a more athletic look compared with the 18-inch wheels previously worn by 2.0T variants.
Bulging rear mudguards filled by broad, 255-section tyres create a muscular stance, while a duck tail boot and Quad lamp taillights, twin ovoid exhaust outlets and a body-coloured diffuser (3.3T models) add the finishing touches.
Sport Line versions further develop the theme through a dark chrome Daylight Opening garnish, black G Matrix air guides, dark chrome and black sports-type crest grille, and 19-inch Sport alloy wheels.
G70’s aerodynamic body design, with help from an almost flat underbody, realises an exceptionally low coefficient of drag (cd) of 0.28, as well as assisting to increase high-speed stability and reduce fuel consumption.
Interior styling
G70’s driver-focused, low and horizontal layout contributes to a sense of width and space in the cabin.
Newly luxurious touches for 2021 include richly tactile G Matrix style quilting and classy geometric patterned trim inserts.
Headlining the tech updates is a 10.25-inch Satellite Navigation and Infotainment unit and, in Luxury Package versions, a 12.3-inch 3D virtual instrument cluster.
Sport and Sport Line styling with Luxury Package bring, in addition, a suede headlining and pillar covers, Sport-style swirl patterned aluminium trim inserts, and sports pedals.
These flagship variants also bring Nappa Leather upholstery in a choice of vibrant Sevilla Red, sophisticated Sandstorm Grey and classic Sport black among the selection of seven interior colours across Sport and standard styling.
Chassis and tuning
The G70 features an Australian-specific tune for the suspension and steering, developed over thousands of kilometres across a range of challenging urban roads, highways, mountain passes, country roads and high-speed closed circuits.
The tune for G70’s suspension carries into the 2021 model from the settings honed when the model was first developed.
Every 3.3T variant features Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension, which allows for the optimum, driver-adjustable balance of comfort and refinement with performance.
The GACS system includes Electronic Control Suspension and Dynamic Stability Damping Control.
Based on vehicle sensors, such as g-force (wheel and body), steering angle, steering velocity and throttle position, as well as the vehicle Drive Mode, ECS provides the optimal damping force for each wheel.
The system can intelligently adjust compression and rebound forces up to 100 times per second using continuously variable dampers, which in practice means an almost instantaneous adjustment of damping force, in response to the slightest application of steering, or as a pre-emptive response to a bump in the road.
To enhance G70’s dynamic handling, all variants now wear 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres – 225/40 front and 255/35 rear.
The G70’s state of the art, responsive, rack-mounted Electric Power Steering system gives the driver heightened feel, directness and road-surface feedback compared to a column-mounted system.
A Variable Gear Ratio steering rack makes the 3.3T models easy to manoeuvre at low vehicle speeds as well as giving maximising stability for small steering manoeuvres at high vehicle speeds.
G70 2.0T Sport Line and all 3.3T variants feature a mechanical limited slip differential (LSD) and larger Brembo brakes – four-piston Monobloc front and two-piston Monobloc rear calipers – with rear brakes upgraded to ventilated discs.
Safety
An advanced monocoque engineered with the extensive use of hot stamped Advanced High Strength Steel gives G70 superb dynamics, immense cabin refinement and excellent occupant protection.
G70 advances its safety credentials with the airbag count increased to 10, with the inclusion of two rear side airbags and a segment-first front centre side airbag.
The ANCAP five-star-rated G70 also brings additional Genesis Active Safety Control advanced driver assistance systems for 2021.
Pricing
2.0 T-GDi 8-speed auto $63,000 (plus on road costs)
3.3 T-GDi 8 speed auto $76,000 (plus on road costs)
Sport Line Package (2.0T only) $ 4,000
Luxury Package (both models) $10,000
Matte paint (only with Sport/SportLine/
and Luxury Package $ 2000
Once we have tested and assessed the new Genesis G70, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.