Genesis EV supercar spells end of V8

It’s no secret that Genesis is plotting a high-performance electric supercar, as previewed by the Genesis X concept.

But comments from the head of Genesis in Australia, Connal Yan, have thrown fuel on the fire that the Korean brand has no plans to renew its ageing 5.0-litre V8 and that its high-performance future lies in a mix of six-cylinder turbo and full-electric powertrain options.

Recent reports out of South Korea have suggested that the axing of the ageing ‘Tau’ V8 will be demonstrated by the new-generation Genesis G90 luxury sedan appearing later this year without an eight-cylinder engine in sight.

While the current G90 hasn’t been sold in Australia – deemed a bridge too far for Hyundai’s fledgling luxury brand in Australia – the new Genesis G80 has also failed to materialise in any market with a V8 to date, despite its availability overseas in the previous generation.

In an interview with carsales, Yan said a flagship high-performance car from Genesis wouldn’t necessarily need a V8 engine.

“Even if we need something to top up this missing part, the creme-de-la-creme, probably an EV would be a more suitable product to fill that gap instead of coming up with a new V8 for example,” he said.

Yan added that Genesis is not seeking to charge head-first into a power war with Mercedes-AMG, BMW M and Audi Sport, nor is it planning to develop a high-performance sub-brand along similar lines to the German brands.

“First of all, we have not confirmed any plans in that direction – and personally I think it’s too early for us,” he said.

“For what we’re offering now via the 3.5-litre turbo-petrol [279kW] engine, you can easily benchmark that against an AMG 43 or 53 in the Merc, or a 40i with the BMW, or the S models in the Audi.

“For people who are really into driving, you are more after a balanced setting rather than just pure power [these days]. Because the power game is no longer the trend – anyone can produce a very powerful engine nowadays.”

Instead of a traditional V8-powered BMW M5 rival that would upgrade an existing model, Genesis is expected to spruik its performance capabilities via a two-door electric sports car – at least initially.

“If we have to go in that direction to be symbolic in the premium space or be regarded as a serious player, normally we would look into a super sports [car],” said Yan.

“Honestly speaking, sedans are pretty much dying, especially in our market here. Super sports is more what really drives, let’s say, a brand shaper.”

All eyes are on the performance Genesis and the broader Hyundai-Kia group will extract from electrified powertrains.

The Genesis X concept went without details on its powertrain, and while the Essentia GT concept that preceded it was similarly short on detail, the car-maker did claim acceleration of 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds.

More instructive are the specs of the forthcoming Kia EV6 GT, which can churn out 430kW/740Nm from its dual-motor powertrain and hit 100km/h in 3.5sec.