New-look Genesis G70 misses out on new engines

The incoming facelifted Genesis G70 will brandish a bold new exterior design and carry extra equipment but sticks with its current turbocharged petrol powertrains, leaving out newer and more powerful engines found in sister models for the time being.

The Korean brand’s updated mid-size premium sedan will feature a built-in dash-cam, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, a larger 10.2-inch touch-screen infotainment system and a louder exhaust system for V6 models when it rolls into Australian showrooms in the first half of 2021.

The high-tech additions are expected to push up pricing across the range, which currently opens at $59,300 plus on-road costs for the 2.0T and tops out at $79,950 for the 3.3T Ultimate Sport.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo (185kW/353Nm) and 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo (272kW/510Nm) engines will carry over – and there is no sign yet of the newer, more powerful 3.5-litre turbo-petrol V6 (280kW/530Nm) from the G70’s bigger brother, the Genesis G80.

It also seems unlikely the updated Genesis G70 will be offered with the GV80 large SUV’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

However, Europhiles will be appeased when a wagon version of the G70 emerges in 2021.

Importantly, the Hyundai-owned premium brand’s BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS rival features a heavy rework of its exterior styling that draws on the so-called ‘athletic elegance’ design language, with trademark twin-slit headlights and large trapezoidal ‘crest’ grille.

It follows the introduction of the all-new Genesis G80 and GV80 which will debut the new design language in Australia when they launch here early next month.

Genesis revealed the mid-life update for the G70 more than a month ago but has now confirmed that top-spec 3.3-litre V6 will be paired with a variable exhaust system, which creates a more aggressive exhaust “signature”.

While all-wheel drive models are sold overseas, and now feature a dedicated drift mode, Australian models are likely to continue to be rear-drive only.

Genesis is yet to confirm local specifications, but the Aussie range is expected to offer a host of new advanced driver assist systems now available on the G70 including:

Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA)
Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Multi Collision Brake (MCB)
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
Back-up guide lamp

While the interior design largely carries over, a larger 10.25-inch infotainment system will be standard across the range and enable over-the-air wireless updates to the navigation system.

The cabin will also include a more powerful wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and a new ‘Home Connect’ feature.

Improved voice recognition, a valet mode that limits top speed, birds-eye 360-degree parking cameras, an intelligent front lighting system and even a digital key using NFC (near-field communication) will be available as well.

Genesis says 14 exterior colours will be offered, including two new metallic options and three matte finishes. Sedona Brown and Tasman Blue are the new metallic paint choices, while Verbier White, Melbourne Grey and an all-new G70-exclusive colour, Bond Silver, make up the matte-finish options.