GENESIS G70 3.3T SPORT

Genesis G70 is a rear-drive four-door sports sedan but it could be classed as a 2+2 because rear legroom is quite limited (especially with a tall driver).

A $10,000 Luxury Pack was also fitted to our test car along with matte finish paint which adds another $2000 to the price, bringing the grand total to $87,876.

The pack includes a 12.3-inch full screen instrument cluster with 3D function, head-up display, a 16-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, power-operated rear boot lid and premium 15-speaker Lexicon audio.

STYLING
The G70 has just had a facelift, which includes which includes a new front bumper, grille and headlights, along with a new rear bumper and tail lights.

Most notable are the striking signature quad headlights, featuring super thin LEDs, that bring the design into line with the rest of the lineup.

Below each headlight, air curtain inlets provide definition and well as helping to reduce aerodynamic drag.

The plunging ‘crest’ radiator grille gives the car a welcome, more aggressive look, while new air vents positioned behind the front wheels replace the previous shark gills. A parabolic line adds an elegant touch to the design.

Signature quad tail lights grace the rear, with prominent Genesis lettering across the boot with its restrained lip spoiler. Dual exhaust tips and a body-coloured diffuser add the finishing touches to the updates.

While the first edition of the G70 looked like a BMW, the latest iteration of the with its droopy, rounder lines is more suggestive of a Benz, especially the rear.

Standard kit includes leather and two-zone climate, 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, with four-way lumbar support for the driver.

INTERIOR
There’s also ambient interior lighting, ‘touch’ style front door handles, keyless entry and start, automatic lights and wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, LED headlights and tail lights, a panoramic sunroof and power-operated boot lid.

An improved Qi phone charger fits larger devices, provides an increased 15W output for quicker charging and has an integrated cooling fan.

New touches include richly tactile G Matrix style quilting and classy geometric patterned trim inserts.

Headlining the tech updates is a 10.25-inch satellite navigation and Infotainment unit

Sport and Sport Line styling with Luxury Package bring, in addition, a suede headlining and pillar covers, Sport-style swirl patterned aluminium trim inserts, and sports pedals.

These flagship variants also bring Nappa Leather upholstery in a choice of vibrant Sevilla Red, sophisticated Sandstorm Grey and classic Sport black among the selection of seven interior colours across Sport and standard styling.

There’s a lidded box between the seats, two console cupholders, a sunglasses saver overhead and bins in the doors.

There’s two power-only USB ports in the storage box and a multimedia connection at the front of the console, along with a 12-volt outlet.

INFOTAINMENT
The standard infotainment system with a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen incorporates satellite navigation, digital radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and 9-speaker audio including an external amplifier.
If you want the whiz-bang Lexicon system, you’re looking at $10,000 for the Luxury option package because it’s part of that. It has 11 channels, 660 Watts, and 15 speakers, it features Digital Signal Processing,

A ‘custom’ button on the steering wheel can be mapped to numerous functions, while the ability to make multiple Bluetooth connections allows easy switching between media sources.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Genesis G70 3.3T is powered by a revised, twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre petrol V6 that pumps out 274 kW at 6000 rpm and 510 Nm between 1300 and 4500 rpm, which is bang on the money. The latest model picks up a couple more kilowatts thanks to a new dual-mode, variable exhaust system.

The engine drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed auto that includes steering wheel mounted gear change paddles and with auto rev-matching on downshifts.

SAFETY
The Genesis G70 has a five-star rating. There are side airbags and a front centre side airbag, bringing the grand total to 10.

Active driver-assist systems include forward collision-avoidance assist with car/pedestrian/cyclist detection as well as junction turning function.

There’s rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist rear, blind-spot view monitor, lane following assist, surround view monitor, multi collision braking, safe exit warning and rear occupant alert.

DRIVING
The throaty rumble of the V6 as it springs to life is great. Nosing on to the motorway for the first time, we punch the accelerator and the G70 fires forward — loud, urgent and convincing.

A new Sport+ mode further increases engine responsiveness and throttle sensitivity, engages enhanced gearbox logic and turns the traction control off.

It also brings the side bolsters of the driver’s seat to life, which move inwards to hold you tighter.

Because G70 is a rear-drive car, switching to Sport+ means the back has the potential to ‘step out’ and could leave less experienced drivers looking embarrassed (and possibly out of pocket).

Turning on Sport+ also activates a track setting that screws down suspension travel to reduce body roll in corners. Based on vehicle sensors, such as G-force, steering angle, steering velocity and throttle position, as well as the drive mode, it provides the optimal damping force for each wheel.

The system can intelligently adjust compression and rebound forces up to 100 times per second using continuously variable dampers.

There’s also launch mode, designed to optimise acceleration from a standstill. But after you’ve had a play with this a couple of times, you’ll probably only return to impress friends.

What is guaranteed, however, is that this car will put a smile on your dial.

The ride from the adaptive dampers is exemplary, the steering is direct and responsive depending on mode and the car corners exceptionally well, sitting flat and controlled.
Although the changes delivered by the eight-speed auto are not as crisp as a twin clutch, we prefer the smoothness of a traditional auto. Rear legroom is limited, especially with a taller driver. The boot is on the small side.

Try as we may, we couldn’t get the navigation unit to accept an intersection of two streets as a destination.

With a 60-litre tank, the V6 drinks 95 premium unleaded and uses a claimed 10.2L/100km. We averaged 9.3 litres per hundred after 400km of mixed driving which is pretty good considering the type of car.

SUMMING UP
This is a car to watch. Genesis G70 will appeal to buyers who want something different and are tired of the same old fare. We feel the Genesis marque is sure to grow in stature.

RATINGS (out of 10)

• Looks – 8
• Performance – 8
• Safety – 8
• Thirst – 7
• Practicality – 7
• Comfort – 7
• Tech – 8
• Value – 8.5
• Overall – 7.7

AT A GLANCE

MODEL
Genesis G70 2.0T, priced from $63,000
Genesis G70 3.3T Sport, priced from $76,000
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Genesis dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Genesis G70 3.3T Sport 3.3-litre 6-cylinder twin turbo-petrol, 8sp automatic, RWD)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.3 litres
Configuration: V6 twin turbo
Maximum Power: 274 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 510 Nm @ 1300-4500 rpm
Fuel Type: 95 RON (PULP), E10 compatible
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 10.2L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 238g/km

DRIVELINE:
Eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic, limited-slip differential, rear-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4685mm
Wheelbase: 2835mm
Width: 1850mm
Height: 1400mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1719 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated discs with 4-piston Brembo Monobloc fixed calipers (350 mm x 30 mm)
Rear: Ventilated discs with 2-piston Brembo Monobloc fixed calipers (340 mm x 22 mm)

STANDARD WARRANTY:
5 years / Unlimited kilometres