SPY PICS: More shapely new Genesis G80 outed

First images of the next-generation Genesis G80 have surfaced months before the large luxury goes on sale in Australia.

In a first for the Korean car-maker outside its domestic market, Hyundai will launch its Genesis premium brand as a standalone marque in Australia via three retail outlets in central Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in November.

The world’s first independent Genesis outlet, Genesis Gangnam, opened in Seoul on January 6.

Genesis will launch here with two rear-drive sedans, followed post-2020 by the GV70 medium SUV and GV80 large SUV.

The new BMW 3 Series-rivalling Genesis G70 mid-sizer will open the range, which will be topped by the much older BMW 5 Series-size G80 -- a facelifted version of the second-generation (DH) Hyundai Genesis sold in Australia between November 2014 and mid-2017.

Australia’s G80 will be available in two model grades – Luxury and Sport – powered by the same 3.8-litre petrol V6 (the only engine the right-hand drive G80 is produced with). Available technologies will include electronic adaptive damping and 17-speaker Lexicon by Harman sound.

In other markets the G80 is offered with a 5.0-litre V8 and the Kia Stinger’s 272kW 3.3-litre turbo V6, which will power the G70 along with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder.

According to Genesis Australia’s public website, both models will come with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty, plus a five-year/75,000km free scheduled service plan, setting a new benchmark in the luxury segment. The Genesis Service Concierge will even collect your vehicle for service and leave you with a replacement Genesis model.

However, given the big Genesis has now been in production since November 2013, making it almost five years old (even if the facelifted and renamed G80 was only launched in Korea last year), a third-generation Genesis/G80 is now due.

Enter the third-generation G80, which as you can see from these spy shots taken in the US, is currently undergoing hot-weather durability testing before its global launch in 2019 – potentially within months of its predecessor’s launch here in November.

These images show the new G80 will wear a bolder grille and slim headlights and tail-lights inspired by the Essentia concept, plus a much rounder roofline and glasshouse that bring it more into line with the newer G70.

But while the plunging rear bootline suggests more of a fastback design, the next G80 will retain its classic long-bonnet, rear-drive proportions in order to poach traditional customers of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6.

It remains unclear what engines will power the 2019 Genesis G80, but 3.3-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 petrol units are likely to continue, alongside an expected plug-in hybrid version that would appeal to hire car buyers in lieu of a diesel option.