No bigger 2.5-litre turbo engine for 2023 Genesis G70

Australian examples of the upcoming 2023 Genesis G70 will miss out on the bigger 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine now available for the upgraded mid-size luxury sedan in other markets and instead will retain the familiar 179kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder seen in the current model.

The revelation comes several months ahead of the updated sports sedan’s arrival Down Under in the fourth quarter of this year, courtesy of Australian Design Rule compliance data that lists the existing 2.0-litre four and 3.3-litre turbo V6 as the only available powertrains for this market, despite the Sonata N-Line’s bigger 2.5L turbo engine being offered in the bigger G80 sedan as well as the GV70 and GV80 SUVs.

Genesis Motors Australia is yet to confirm anything about the new model’s local specifications or pricing, but carsales understands the 2.5-litre engine hasn’t been engineered for right-hand drive versions of the G70.

This shouldn’t come as any great surprise to Hyundai Motor Group fans, given the local Kia Stinger range missed out on the torque-rich four-banger for the same reason, and the two models share the bulk of their DNA.

Therefore, Aussie buyers of the upgraded G70 won’t be treated to the same significant power bump seen in other markets – 179kW/353Nm versus 224kW/422Nm – if they opt for the entry-level powertrain rather than the flagship 274kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6.

Judging by the official government homologation data, no changes have been made to either of the carryover powertrains, and it remains to be seen if 2.0-litre G70 variants end up scoring the same uprated Brembo brake package as the new 2.5-litre does overseas.

The rest of the upgrades included in the G70’s second facelift – including refreshed wheel designs and an overhauled interior comprising an updated infotainment system – should all be fitted to Australian examples regardless of their powertrain.

The familiar eight-speed automatic transmission is being retained across the board, as is the single G70 Shooting Brake wagon derivative and two trim choices for the flagship V6.

Local pricing and full specification details will be announced in the lead-up to the updated G70’s local launch next quarter, but the 2.0-litre’s local continuation should at least bring less of a price increase compared to other markets in which the 2.5L G70 is sold.

Odds are Korea’s answer to the BMW 3 Series will retain its sub-$70,000 starting price (just), thereby continuing as a beacon of hope for those still in the market for a vaguely affordable rear-drive sports sedan.

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