Watch out BMW, the Genesis G70 is here to challenge your 3 Series



Genesis (no longer Hyundai Genesis), the luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group, has just unveiled its all-new Genesis G70 sedan – a premium compact sedan from the Korean carmaker that squares off against the likes of BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

Positioned as an athletic premium sedan, the G70 boasts razor sharp design, dynamic performance, elegant interior and best-in-class safety. The G70 completes the Genesis brand’s sedan line up with the G90 flagship sedan and G80 premium executive sedan. Is the G70 enough to take on the mighty German-trio? Let’s find out.

Visually, the G70 gets a prominent “crest-type” front grille flanked with sleek headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Strong bold lines across the hood and side profile gives the G70 more muscular proportions especially with those multi-spoke alloy wheel. Around the back, the raised trunk lid and intricate bumper design gives the G70 a wider and muscular stance. The LED combination tail lamps were inspired from the G80 but have been stretched to highlight its planted stance.

Inside, the designers have prioritised on the overall user experience as well as fit and finish. The interior architecture is a driver-focused one with a secluded driving position and intuitively laid out buttons across the centre console. The cabin is available in five colour themes – Obsidian Black, Sandstorm Gray, Velvet Burgundy, Tobacco Brown and Vanilla Beige. Higher grades of the G70 has the option for Sports Grey and Sports Red.

Interior features are abundance as expected of a premium sedan such as powered front seats, heads up display, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Kakao voice recognition, 15-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system and many more.

At launch, the G70 sedan will be powered by three powertrains – two turbo petrol and one turbo diesel. The most potent mill comes in the package of a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 GDI that produces 365 hp and 510 Nm of torque. From standstill, the V6 mill will sprint to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with a limited top speed of 270 km/h.

For the less casual driver, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder GDI with 248 hp (252 hp with Sports Package) and 353 Nm of torque and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 199 hp and 441 Nm of torque are available as alternatives.

Regardless of engine choice, the G70 can be had with a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive layout. Other performance enhancing technologies include Launch Control, Motor-Driven Power Steering, multi-link rear suspension, Dynamic Torque Vectoring System and a Mechanical Limited Slip Differential.

Equipped with advanced driver assist systems such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Driver Awareness Warning (DAW) on top of nine standard airbags and active hood function, the G70 boasts to have the best in class safety features.

The Genesis G70 will go on sale in Korea from 20 September 2017 onwards while North America, Russia and the Middle East are scheduled to receive the G70 in 2018. So, what do you think dear readers? Does the design, performance and safety features enough to sway you away from your usual choice of premium compact sedan?


IMAGE GALLERY