The 2020 Genesis GV80 has
arrived as the company’s first-ever SUV after weeks of leaks and teasers. It
joins the G70, G80, and G90 in the company’s current range. Genesis offered the
world a glimpse of the GV80 with the launch of a concept back in 2017. The production-spec SUV remains quite faithful to the
design of the concept. Viewed from the front, it’s impossible to ignore the
triangular-shaped front grille and the ‘Quad Lamps’ of the concept, albeit
enlarged for the production model. The Korean company says the design of the
SUV’s front fascia has been inspired by the shape of the company’s logo.
Spin around to the side of the
GV80 and other striking parts include a large piece of trim on the front wheel
arches as well as a pair of sharp lines stretching along the doors and
continuing through to the flanks of the SUV. Pointed rear side windows like the
concept are also particularly striking as are the 22-inch wheels.
At the rear, the GV80 includes
split taillights similar to the headlights, a small spoiler stretching off the
roof, and a subtle lip spoiler on the trunk lid. There’s also a huge Genesis
designation in between the taillights. Many body panels, including the doors,
hood, and tailgate are made from lightweight aluminum.
As for the interior, Genesis
designers clearly tried to remain somewhat faithful to the concept and have
installed a two-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and a digital instrument
cluster. There’s also a 14.5-inch widescreen infotainment screen placed on the
dashboard. This screen can be controlled through a control panel on the center
console that includes a handwriting recognition system that allows users to
simply write out the names of destinations, for example.
Genesis is particularly proud
of how quiet the cabin of the GV80 is thanks to the development of a Road-Noise
Active Noise Control system that analyzes road noise in real-time and generates
sound waves of the opposite phase in just 0.002-seconds.
Elsewhere, the South Korean
automaker has fitted the SUV with 10 airbags as standard including a front seat
center-side airbag aimed at reducing head injuries in the event of passengers
hitting heads in a side-on impact. Other key safety features of the GV80
include smart cruise control, front collision avoidance assistance, rear side
collision avoidance assistance, a highway assist system, and driver’s attention
warning. There’s also rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist and parking
collision avoidance assist.
Another piece of impressive
technology found in the Genesis GV80 is the ‘Electronically Controlled
Suspension with Road Preview’ system that uses the front camera to analyze the
road surface and adjust the suspension accordingly.
In South Korea, the GV80 will
initially be sold with a six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine offering up
274 hp and 589 Nm of torque coupled to an 8-speed automatic
transmission. Two petrol engines will also be available depending on the
market. The base petrol engine will be a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder
with 300 hp and 422 Nm of torque while sitting above it in the
range is a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with 375 hp and 530 Nm of
torque. As standard, the GV80 is sold in rear-wheel drive configuration but
all-wheel drive is an option. The Genesis GV80 will launch in South Korea this
month with a North American debut to follow later this year.