The launch of the 2020 Genesis G80 has been pushed
back from September to early next year, according to a new report by The Korean
Car Blog. Just last month we were told that the new G80 would premiere this
month in South Korea, after its launch was first pushed back from April this
year. In fact, Genesis boss Manfred Fitzgerald told Car and Driver not too long
ago that the G80 would indeed be unveiled in September.
However, a source that wishes to remain anonymous
says that is no longer the case, suggesting that there could be some kind of
delay related to the 2.5-liter Turbo Theta III and 3.5-liter Turbo Lambda III
engines the G80 is set to use in select markets.
Regardless of when we finally get to see the new-age
G80, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Most significantly,
it will adopt a new look inspired by the G90, including an intriguing,
triangular-shaped front grille and split head- and taillights.
The spy photographers haven’t been
able to snap images of the G80’s interior, but if the South Korean carmaker
wants to establish the premium sedan as a rival to cars like the Lexus GS, Audi
A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it had better make it feel much
more upmarket and modern than the outgoing version.
While the new G80 may get the aforementioned 2.5-
and 3.5-liter engines in some markets, we understand that in the U.S. it will
likely be sold with an entry-level 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a
3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 range-topper.
