The electrified Genesis G80 maintains the elegance of its predecessor with beautiful design, colors, and material, remarkably quiet cabin
Major Luxury car brands are gearing up with their electrification plans to capitalize over the market trend world over. Genesis, the Hyundai-owned luxury brand which entered the market of late, has no plans to waste time in the run towards an electric tomorrow. The electrified G80, an all-electric version of the Genesis G80 luxury sedan is the second product in their electric vehicle lineup, after GV60, a crossover SUV, designed and developed from scratch as an EV.
In simple terms, the difference between the electric and the gasoline versions is in the engine. The G80 Electric is powered by two permanent-magnet motors that combine to produce 365 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The motors are fed by an 87.2kWh battery, giving the Electrified G80 a WLTP range of 323 miles. It uses the same 800V charging tech as the GV60, allowing for fast-charging at up to 240kW, or 10-80% in 21 minutes.
There is a drop of 10 hp of power with respect to the twin-turbo V-6 from the G80 Sport. At the same time, the electric version produces an additional torque of 125 lb-ft which is a great improvement on the performance front. Power is delivered to all four wheels through AWD, a standard feature. The vehicle achieves 0-60 mph speed in 4.1 seconds.
Genesis G80: Conventional attitude, electrified persona
The Genesis G80 EV’s road behavior is smooth like a conventional cruiser. Ready availability of power contributes abundantly in this process and the delivery of power in a refined fashion also adds to this. Noise reduction, thanks to the laminated glass and an active noise cancellation technology is indeed a great achievement in the overall refinement department of the vehicle. But the ride quality could have been better for a luxury car like the G80 which means that there is a clear lack of sophistication in suspension tuning. Overall driving experience isn’t much inspiring for enthusiasts.
Exterior design is almost identical in nature with the regular sedan. Stylish, closed-off grille neatly hides a charging port placed off the center, towards the driver’s side. The standard 19-inch turbine-style wheels aren’t quite as striking as the G80 Sport’s larger 20s. Matira Blue paint and reshaped bumpers add elegance to its design, no doubt.
White leather upholstery against dark green interior panels underlines the creativity with which the passenger space is defined. Many interior elements including the carpet and the headliner are made from recycled plastics. The presence of ‘Forged Wood’ finish all around also reinforces the sustainable approach in the making of this car.
The cabin is spacious and has ample legroom. There is option for infotainment touch screens with controls for rear passengers. Headroom is a bit compromised when compared to the regular G80, largely due to the addition of the battery pack. Trunk space also shrinks by two cubic feet. Still, the interior is a great place to live in, with a posh-looking design and premium material throughout.
Features galore to charm the EV enthusiast
A 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, 3-D digital gauge display, and glass shift knob are some notable features available inside the Genesis G80. The infotainment system features over-the-air updates and services. You can also control it with the touchscreen, voice control or a dial mounted on the central control panel. The powerful Lexicon audio system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The buttons and switches are of feel-good quality.
From the driver-assistance technology package, Smart Park deserves a special mention. The system allows the driver to maneuver the car in and out of tight parking spots without actually using the controls. Key safety features include standard automated emergency braking, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist and standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.
The electrified G80 maintains the elegance of its predecessor with beautiful design, colors, and material, remarkably quiet cabin and of course, with ample electric power and familiar sedan dynamics. It brings forth a perfect blend of a luxury sedan with the spirit of the electric future.
