More powerful 2023 Genesis G70 coming

There’s a significant model update with a new engine on the way for the 2023 Genesis G70 sports sedan, which carsales understands will arrive in Australia in the second half of this year.

The news is based on overseas reports showing a leaked internal Genesis document, and comes as Kia is preparing to wind down production of the related Kia Stinger.

According to the document, the 2023 Genesis G70 will look identical to the current version beyond some new colours, exterior badging and alloy wheel designs.

However, bigger changes are planned for the interior, where the new-age infotainment system found in the Genesis GV60 will be adopted, along with touch-sensitive climate control buttons and a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Local performance fans grieving the impending demise of the Kia Stinger may be buoyed to hear that the twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 shared with the G70 will be retained in the Genesis model.

What’s more, the 179kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-four will be retired in favour of the more powerful 2.5-litre turbo used in the Genesis GV70 and Hyundai Sonata N-Line.

No powertrain specifics are included in the leaked document, but expect outputs of 224kW and 422Nm.

The familiar eight-speed automatic transmission will be employed to send power exclusively to the rear wheels, however it remains to be seen if a limited-slip differential will be offered as standard.

That isn’t presently the case with the entry-level 2.0-litre (LSD is optional), but the bigger mill has significantly higher outputs than the outgoing powerplant.

Odds are the LSD will remain optional given neither the GV70 2.5T nor the Sonata comes with the performance-enhancing feature as standard.

Genesis also needs to maintain a clear performance gap between the lesser variant and the flagship 3.3T.

Genesis Australia declined to comment on the prospects of a facelifted G70 but has previously confirmed that its BMW 3 Series rival was “secure for years to come”.

The updated model is expected to debut in South Korea early in May, bringing a price increase in line with the extra equipment and engine upgrade.

Expect Australia to follow suit, potentially pushing the G70 out of the dwindling sub-$70,000 rear-drive segment.

The 2.0T currently starts at $63,000 plus on-road costs, while the 3.3T opens at $75,067 plus ORCs.

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