Genesis has been making a reputation for itself with considerate design and standout options in recent times, catapulting the automaker to a 14 p.c year-over-year gross sales improve in 2022. Hyundai’s luxurious arm has steadily amassed followers and wowed the general public with firsts like facial recognition know-how and a rotating crystal orb gear shifter, each of that are discovered within the firm’s GV60 EV. With autos just like the GV60 and the G80, it’s ramping up EV manufacturing.

Whereas the Korean model’s G60 is futuristic and daring, the Genesis Electrified G80 sedan seems nearly precisely just like the gas-powered model inside and outside. That is no shortcut; it’s a deliberate tactic to quench the thirst of EV curiosity with out requiring large changes of its patrons.

Learn on to study extra in regards to the Electrified G80 and the way Genesis is changing followers of its luxurious sedans into the EV phase.  

Two sorts of EV patrons

The GV60, which was unveiled in 2021, is the model’s first all-electric car constructed on the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electrical-World Modular Platform, however it’s not Genesis’ first EV. That honor belongs to the Electrified G80 sedan, which debuted on the 2021 Auto Shanghai occasion in China. Earlier than that new structure was prepared, the Electrified G80 was constructed on a dual-purpose platform that serves each inside combustion engines and motor-driven EVs. 

Because the electric-global platform was in growth, Genesis engineers had the foresight to create a constructing block that will ease the transition, particularly for its luxurious sedan lovers.

Genesis has been producing a gas-powered sedan known as the G80 since 2017. It launched a pure EV model of that automobile, which they name the “Electrified G80,” for 2023 on the identical platform. Usually, when an automaker refers to a automobile as “electrified,” meaning it comprises a hybrid system. That’s not the case right here, as Genesis opted to make use of the modifier to maintain the G80 household names intact.

“What we’re seeing at Genesis is that there are two camps of EV clients: those who signify the early adopters, wish to lead the cost, and care about tech and sustainability,” says Genesis consultant Jarred Pellat. “They need the autos that scream ‘I’m an EV!’”

The others, Pellat says, need one thing acquainted. They covet the advantages of EV possession: a quiet journey, enjoyable driving dynamics with low-end torque, and energy; they wish to enter this new period of electrification, however nonetheless wish to maintain their “regular” luxurious automobile. In essence, this phase needs a automobile that occurs to be an EV however doesn’t appear like an EV. When the Nissan Leaf EV debuted, as an example, it was a cool little capsule that made a transparent assertion. Volkswagen’s ID.4 can also be in that class of vehicles that don’t appear like any of its gas-powered siblings. 

That’s particularly vital in Genesis’ dwelling market in Korea, the place the G80 is among the model’s top-selling autos. In Korea, many G80 homeowners are repeat clients, and because the oldest mannequin within the lineup, it has the longest-standing buyer base. If a buyer is tremendously happy with their G80, they will transition to an EV simply as a result of it seems and feels very related. Till they press the accelerator and expertise the moment torque of an EV, that’s.

The Electrified G80 vs. the gas-powered G80

Beginning at a smidge over $80,000, the Electrified G80 rings in at almost $30,000 greater than the bottom mannequin gas-powered G80. 

The common G80 is obtainable in two trims: 2.5T fashions are geared up with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and it’s out there with both rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Upgrading to the three.5T Sport means all-wheel drive solely with a turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a lift to 375 hp and 391 pound-feet of torque. 

Though the electrified model of the sedan takes a small horsepower hit for a complete of 365, the torque is significantly extra at 516 pound-feet. Once you step on the pedal, it strikes. That’s considerably shocking, contemplating the electrified G80 weighs a half-ton greater than the two.5T and a quarter-ton greater than the three.5T Sport fashions. 

Hooked as much as a DC quick charger, the Electrified G80 expenses up from 10 p.c to 80 p.c in 22 minutes, Genesis says, which is barely longer than the 18 minutes it takes for a GV60. The charging port is camouflaged within the grille with a push-button launch, making it simple to tug straight as much as a charger and get going. 

Whole cargo area suffers a bit between the 2 fashions, because the gas-powered G80 boasts 13.1 cubic ft of trunk area and that quantity drops to 10.8 cubic ft within the G80 EV. Aside from that, although, the G80 and Electrified G80 are related sufficient to be snug. 

Genesis isn’t killing off its sedan line any time quickly, both. It’s frequent in Korea for patrons to make use of luxurious sedans with chauffeurs, and Genesis fashions (Hyundai fashions as properly) are geared up for that setup. The Genesis G80 comes with distinctive buttons embedded into the bolster of the passenger seats nearest the middle console. To be able to transfer the seat or change the incline, it’s inside attain for the motive force to push a button as a substitute of leaning means over to the far aspect of the passenger entrance seat or getting out of the automobile to regulate them for rear seat passengers. 

With gas-powered and EV fashions of the identical sedan, Genesis isn’t simply optimizing its manufacturing line. It’s making it simple to change. Not everybody needs to look totally different and stand out as they transition to the EV world, they only wish to mix in. That’s the place the Electrified G80 makes its stand.