Category Archives: GENESIS

GENESIS, Motoring, SUV/4X4

Genesis GV70

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Premium motoring at a sensible price

The luxury arm of Korean giant Hyundai, Genesis is continuing to gain attention from curious car buyers, not least because of its eye-catching, sometimes dramatic styling and a more than passing resemblance to a Bentley with the winged badge and crest grille.

It also comes with a bargain, relatively, price. At just over £46k for this model, it undercuts similarly specced German rivals significantly, although like those models the optional extras can be eye-watering.

Offers a range of models, including internal combustion and electric with the focus on high-quality engineering, four-wheel drive, premium interiors, and advanced technology.

Smaller and more affordable than the GV80 but maintains quality, practicality and pace, in this case through a powerful 299bhp turbocharged petrol engine.

Mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this impressive all-wheel drive model can hit 60mph in just about six seconds. Hot hatches beware.

How does it look?

This is a smart looking SUV with a high riding position, stylish design, and alloy wheels. It has a luxurious interior with leather, aluminium finish, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials.

Central is a  14.5-inch HD infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and notable technology includes AI, autonomous driving, and calendar synchronisation.

It is packed with standard equipment including neat touches like the two main binnacle dials turning into cameras to show the road when the indicator is activated or the winged-style logo fading from view when the ignition is switched off.

Performance:

The turbocharged petrol engine provides rapid performance and acceptable economy hovering around 30mpg. It has three drive modes, eco, comfort and sport and effortlessly races to 60mph in 6.1 seconds in the latter mode.

In addition, the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system has three terrain modes to provide maximum stability and  variable power distribution for different driving conditions.

Ride and Handling:

It also offers excellent ride and handling characteristics, with ride preview technology and electronically controlled suspension, making it comfortable, but still agile, even on rough roads.

What about safety?

Safety kit is impressive with blind spot monitoring, evasive steering assist, smart cruise control, lane following assist, driver attention warning, forward collision alert with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus advanced airbag technology.

 There are 10 airbags with front centre airbags that are deployed if there is a side impact and these prevent the front occupants colliding with each other.

Cargo Space:

The powered boot lid opens to provide 542 litres of space, expandable to 1,675 litres , just in case you need to carry the kitchen sink, with the seats folded while the usual array of cubby holes, bins and holders are arranged throughout the cabin.

Extras:

 Various packages and options available to customise the vehicle, potentially increasing the price and can include advanced safety features, Nappa leather seats, and more.

The GV70 is a well-equipped, stylish, and performance-oriented SUV with a focus on luxury and advanced technology. It offers a real alternative to German dominance for those seeking a premium vehicle in this segment.

Factfile

GENESIS GV70 2.5T Luxury 8AT AWD

Price: £46,470

Mechanical: 299BHP, 2497cc, four-cylinder, turbo petrol engine driving all four wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 145mph

0-62mph: 6.1 seconds

Combined MPG: 27.9-29.7

Insurance Group: 48

C02 emissions: 218g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/62,000 miles

AWD, Executive saloon, GENESIS

Turbocharged to the maximum

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Genesis G80 2.5 T

By Bill McCarthy

GENESIS is brand that is beginning to capture the imagination of those looking for a premium alternative to the usual suspects.

Unusually, I had one park next to me recently in a car park, so it was a bit like buses. Nothing for ages and suddenly two come along at the same time.

This particular model is the saloon flagship has a huge road presence with its low-slung almost predatory look.

It looks expensive, but for just a smidge under £50k for this range-topper it offers exceptional value when compared like-for-like with the potential opposition.

There are two turbocharged engines available, a 2.2 litre diesel and a 2.5 litre unit driven here, delivering a stonking 305bhp and blistering acceleration.

Both are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission that slips seamlessly through the gears with no fuss.

An electronically controlled all-wheel drive system is standard on all 2.5-litre petrol models. In normal driving conditions, it is rear-wheel drive, switching to 50-50 when prevailing conditions demand extra traction.

It is spacious and well-equipped with a premium interior and a raft of high-end technological goodies. It also features artificial intelligence that learns about the driver and builds on existing state-of-the-art advanced autonomous driver assistance.

Clever touches include the two main binnacle dials turning into cameras to show the road it is turning into when the indicator is activated.

It is a roomy car with plenty of space to accommodate five adults and featuring a high-end leather interior with aluminium trim and inserts, customisable ambient lighting and 12-way power adjustable standard seats.

Dominant is a central 14.5-inch touchscreen which features a sophisticated array of graphics which can also be utilised through a circular touchpad on the central console. It can even be used to display relaxing ambient driving themes like a forest or seascape.

This is even replicated in the rear, using the same method via tablets mounted on the back of the front seats.

On the road the 305PS, petrol engine delivers exhilarating performance. It races to 60mph in just six seconds and on to a top speed, where permitted, of 155mph.

The ride and handling are excellent, with tuned suspension and electronically controlled adaptive dampers soaking up the worst of the potholes, while delivering agile handling for such a big car.

The latest ADAS safety technology includes blind spot monitoring, evasive steering assist, smart cruise control, lane following assist, driver attention warning, forward collision alert with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus advanced airbag technology.

The boot is large, shallow, but long with 335 litres of space, the usual array of cubby holes, bins and holders are arranged throughout the cabin.

With economy of around 32mpg and emissions of 210g/km, it is thirsty and expensive to tax. It won’t be a cheap company car option either. But that’s not really the point with a car like this. It is designed to take a chunk out of the premium sector.

And, like its German rivals it comes with a full range of optional goodies, in this case around £12k worth, taking the overall price just short of £62k.

Factfile

GENESIS G80 Sport 2.5T

Price: £49,450

Mechanical: 305PS, 2497cc, four-cylinder, turbo petrol engine driving all wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 6 seconds

Combined MPG: 32

Insurance Group: 43

C02 emissions: 210g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: Five years/unlimited