For the second time this past week, spy photographers have come across a disguised prototype of Genesis’ next generation G90 sedan undergoing development in northern Europe. The G90 is Genesis’ full-size luxury sedan. As a result, it competes against the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-Series. Stern rivals to be sure, and competition the current model has been accused of not quite matching.
Indeed, with sales of just a little over
500 in the US in Q4 2020, per Goodcarbadcar, its figures have paled in
comparison to the S-Class’s (nearly 2,000), the 7-Series’ (2,200), but
approached those of the Audi A8 (700). Still, with its captivating, if not
uncomplicated, looks and its low, low price the Genesis flagship sedan has
found some admirers.
Although it’s hard to glean a lot from
these well-camouflaged spy pictures, we have noticed a few things. The
headlights look like they’ll continue to be split and may even evolve a bit to
incorporate more current Genesis design language. The proportions of the back
door continue to make this feel very much like a limousine, while the roofline
looks a little more notchy and a little less coupe-y, to my eye. We’ll be
waiting on tenterhooks to find out more.
The current G90 is powered by either a
3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 HP and 376 lb-ft of torque or a
5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 420 HP and 383 lb-ft of torque. Whether
or not the new model will retain those engines, or gain some degree of
electrification remains to be seen. Given the Hyundai Motor Group’s
predilection for electrics, a plug-in hybrid system wouldn’t surprise us at
all.
If this indeed is a 2023 model, that could
mean a Korean reveal as early as at the end of 2021 or early 2022 followed
shortly after by an introduction in North America, but we’ll have to wait and
see for now, unfortunately.
