Hyundai is taking the Germans head-on with its premium brand Genesis, and nowhere is the South Korean conglomerate’s ambitions more apparent than in the new Genesis G70, which is set to do battle with the benchmark BMW 3 Series in the fiercely competitive compact executive segment.
Measuring 4,685 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,400 mm tall, the G70 is 61 mm longer, 39 mm wider and 29 mm lower than the F30 3 Series sedan; its 2,835 mm wheelbase is also 25 mm longer than its Bavarian rival. As with most of its competitors, the Genesis is rear-wheel drive (with all-wheel drive available as an option), and its classic long bonnet, short tail proportions are typical of the segment’s players.
The brand’s design language, seen on the larger G90 and G80 (née Hyundai Genesis), has been shrink-wrapped to fit their more athletic sibling. The usual six-point grille sits front and centre, flanked by trapezoidal headlights with twin linear LED daytime running lights – the company says this previews its forthcoming signature quad lamps shown on the GV80 SUV concept.
Strong shoulder lines above the front and rear wheels emphasise the car’s stance, and there’s also a BMW-aping C-pillar kink. Other design cues reminiscent of Munich include fender vents aft of the front wheels and L-shaped tail lights that appear to have been taken off a 2 Series coupé.
If the outside smacks a little of BMW, the inside has hints of the Lexus RX, with a dashboard design that wraps around the centre console. Details include a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, a stubby T-shaped gearlever, quilted Nappa leather upholstery and aluminium door handles.
The G70 also features a smart posture control system from the G90, which automatically adjusts the seats, steering wheel, door mirrors and head-up display according to the driver’s body. The infotainment system has a eight-inch touchscreen with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, although the display is fairly tall and comes with a tiled interface not dissimilar to the one in lesser Hyundais.
At least it is available with a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system with premium-looking metal grilles, as well as a server-based voice recognition technology using the Kakao I artificial intelligence platform from Korean internet company Kakao, the first such car sold in the country to have it.
Safety-wise, the G70 is fitted with nine airbags and a pedestrian-protecting pop-up bonnet as standard. It is also available with the Genesis Active Safety Control suite of driver assists, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Driver Awareness Warning (DAW).
Overall body stiffness and torsional rigidity has been increased through the use of hot-stamped materials and extensive use of structural adhesives. Meanwhile, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) has been reduced through enhancements to the body structure, exhaust, sound absorption and isolation, connections between the suspension and body frame, and the design of the side mirrors and door seals.
At launch, the G70 will be offered with a choice of three powertrains, with the volume seller likely being the 2.0 litre Theta II turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 252 PS (or 255 PS with the Sports package) and 353 Nm of torque. There’s also a 2.2 litre R VGT turbodiesel mill that produces 202 PS and an impressive 441 Nm.
Sitting at the top of the range is the G70 Sport’s 3.3 litre Lambda twin-turbo V6 lifted from the Kia Stinger, punching out 370 PS and 510 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h is dispatched in 4.7 seconds and it will go all the way to a top speed of 270 km/h. Genesis did not divulge the transmission options on offer, but the G70 is expected to be offered solely with an eight-speed automatic, following in the footsteps of the Stinger.
Chassis specifics should be mouthwatering for performance enthusiasts – there’s multi-link rear suspension, dynamic torque vectoring, a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control, plus variable-ratio steering (electric power steering comes as standard) and adaptive suspension that come with every G70 Sport. There’s also Active Sound Design (ASD) to enhance the engine’s aural qualities.
The Genesis G70 will go on sale in Korea on September 20, and product specifications for overseas markets such as North America, Russia and the Middle East will be announced early next year.
BMW of asia is here.
bmw-asia.com/ wish to have a “chat” with u… something about trademark infringement…
Proton CEO Tengku Mahaleel “Waja is Asia’s answer to BMW” – August 2000.
Is that guy still around and still sying that? But u are…
Direct competition with S60 and Passat as they are more on the same category. Still far compare to both B brands.
Same goes as more direct competition with the C class A4 and 3 series as B brand category too
Some of these German engines output are still fall short behind it!!
I would rather take the Kia compare to the boring Volvo S60 and the Passat.
I would rather get Hyundai compare to the ugly A4 and C class too
I would rather get Perdana compare to the Genesis.
Jenny,
Please let me know which TOP spec Kia sedan models can outgunned the volvo s60 T6 (306 hP) and passat ( 210 HP) in malaysia now?
Please substantiate your statement ?
SIMON: as of now, the KIA Optima GT has 245hp/350nm. But the more better choice would be the 2.2 turbo diesel with 200ps/430nm. Rich in torque and is more powerful than the 2.0 diesel engine from bmw and almost the same power with the 2.1 diesel from mercedes.
Omg, Volvo please no no no! I will go for this Genesis, a better platform, younger look, better quality. Follow by Passat hi line mode, best cluster so far.
Oh no
Passat No nO ( problematic )
A4 ,3 series C class No no ( costly to maintain and problematic too)
The worst mode of transport to buy !!
I do not mind any other makes even volvo provided it is not from german brands.
it looks better than any other car of its class.
The rear tailights really looks like C-class with a 3 series design LED stuck in.
Much better than the current 3 series interior which looks and feels cheapskate with rattling sound . Pity the owners who pay arms and legs thinking they are driving a premium car haha
Why pity them is they can afford beemer, by the way what luxury car you used
Haiyo , pity them la coz they think 3 series is luxurious . Have you not looked at the interior ? Shameful for premium standard . After 3 years paying installments , only then they realise haha . I can afford C class but refuse to buy because Conti cars are way overpriced in Malaysia .
So the story here is you dont own any luxury car since bank may not approve your loan and yet you like to criticise.
Talk as if you had driven the car .
Definately looks better than the crappy 3 series and A4 too
dad is mazda 3 (front)
mom is mercedes benz c class 2015 (back)
Still looks like audi clone in the front and 3series clone in the rear.
To be honest…its more toyota mark x than 3 series…still a very nice car
I thought few years back Hyundai Malaysia launched the Genesis 3.8 GDI but I guess it failed. The product is there but the supporting environment to sell luxury cars was not there. I hope Hyundai Malaysia realise that they are not selling some recond cars under some makeshift tent.
They need to replace with the Genesis G80 sport with twin-turbo 3.3L engine. Cheaper road tax, modern gear shifter, and kimchi customer in Malaysia prefer sport design cars than uncle look luxury cars.
Smart Korea towards global domination. Car, smartphone, kimchi, kpop!
Kudos for the effort but it is absolutely ugly. hopefully it has the dynamics to make it stand out.
3.3T in the C segment car (G70) will be overpowered compared to G80 & G90. So Hyundai need to introduce V8 twin turbo engine for their D segment car (G80) and E segment car (G90).
they already do
Thats one Infiniti Q50/Q70 rip-off…
amigo! something refreshing from the korea pop artist!
Please CKD this model here
It may try to look like one, but does it drive like one?
My SLC and A4 Quattro better than this its simple, minimalist, tech advance and class…but no doubt korean cars a catching up… maybe take another 10 years to to sit same level as germany..
for the first red car image i saw, i tot it was a new Mazda.
and wat? 3 series?r u sure?
It seems better than Audi A4 and C class in the making.
Both of these C grade category are less reliable and old fashion design.
Damn… that simply means nice looking designs are going to Genesis rather than Hyundai itself.
Anyway, this car is getting the correct looks and engine.
Writer fatigue from drawing similarities with the German marques? Neither the Beemer nor the Merc are things of beauty nor originality. It sounded like watered vitriol veiled as a report.
What an awesome looking car but your typical BMW driver won’t be swayed as they buy a badge not a car
good news for buyers who wanna buy 3 series but cant afford a 3 series..
BMW challenger or not, Audi copy or not, they seem to be progressing very fast… they are a confident lot these Koreans.
Front: Mazda + Lexus + Hyundai
Rear: BMW + Mercedes
If the back/rear look like 3 series or C class is really disappointing
Already the back of the 3 series and c class is DAMN UGLY look now
This segment is overcrowded already that they are all beginning to look the same. In the 90s, you only had to choose between a 3 Series or a C Class (or the A4 if you prefer something different). This is a good looking car, but looks a bit like the Infiniti Q50, Jag XE and the Acura TLX. At least the C Class, Cadillac ATS, and the gorgeous Kia Stinger look distinctive.
long way to go la, look at the logo, like copied from aston martin, it just proves that they have no creativity at all….
This one came as a little unexpected. I think there is a number here that would like it but our market is already so small, i doubt sime darby would bring this one in.
Oh well…
hyundai has gone luxury..where the hell are you proton..still do rebadging and syok sendiri with bmw comparing
the gap between the premium german cars and these korean brand is narrowing…first the kia sorento, then the kia stinger gt, and now this. If you visit Seoul, the big G90 K900, Stinger GT, K700 are all over the place, these cars packed with power no less than 200ps and its really pleasing to the eyes. To them, there is no point to buy the super overtaxed german imports when their local produce is also not bad. Only the super rich people from gangnam would buy german imports but then it is not the entry level model like here in msia, mostly the halo model like the m3, m4, audi rs, s6 or the big ol audi a6 400 diesel, S500 750L etc.
Country love people, people support country back. The same cannot be said for here.
It’s nowhere against BMW. It’s gonna take ages for people to have the mentality of this instead of bmw. But at least the effort is there & pretty good outcome can be seen. They will surely reach the top someday. It’s just a matter of time. Hope our geely-ton will show good outcome after this
For last 20 years Volvo trying hard to reach German level but failed. Kimchi is closing to Saab and Volvo gap now.
I know the German cars still behind Volvo in term of Safety technology till todate
The German tried very hard to beat volvo on safety for the last 20 years but failed too to be safety king.
So german decided to give up safety crown and decided on performance game instead of becoming safety king .
So wass just wondering Volvo is 20 years behind german or german cars is 20 years behind Volvo or the other way round.
Saab was totally destroyed and cannibalised by the GM USA .
Let kim Chi cars close the gaps on japanese cars first before they can close the gap on Volvo territory
Oliver – what closing gap? rm to rm a
1. camry 2.4(160hp/213nm) vs Optima GT 245hp/350nm. Not only in term of power but the interior of camry is like cars from 80’s while the optima gt feels like audi/bmw interior
2. Civic 1.5turbo (173hp/220nm) vs Hyundai elantra 1.6 turbo(204hp/265nm) not only the elantra is a lot faster, but it is also has lower NVH than the civic and with proper 6 speeds instead of the CVT.
3. Toyota Harrier 2.4 (160hp/221nm) vs kia sorento 2.2 crdi (200ps/443nm) and this harrier recon cost more than 200k here in msia…so slow and weak compared to the sorento.
can continue to their SUV and MPV also if you like…