hyundai's genesis brand has begun to beat the drum for the u.s. launch this summer — finally — of the much-anticipated 2019 g70 luxury sports sedan, the third model in the new brand's currently all-car lineup. genesis notes that three more new models are due by 2021, and that the g70 is the last that will be a sedan.
the production g70 was first unveiled in september and finally got an official u.s. debut in march at the 2018 new york international auto show. in the meantime, genesis has been enmeshed in a back-and-forth with existing hyundai dealers over how it would develop its own network of luxury brand stores.
the opening salvo in genesis' launch campaign leads with touting the performance chops of the new go-fast sedan. it shares a platform and other bits with corporate cousin the kia stinger hatchback, which is a favorite at . but where the kia stands out as big and brash, the g70 has a very different persona. it's smaller, lighter and designed more conservatively to blend as a sporty luxury companion for the big genesis g80 and bigger g90 upscale sedans.
but in the g70 package is the same terrific pair of used engine - led by the 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter v-6 used in the kia (as well as in other genesis models). genesis estimates that the v-6, which puts out 376 pounds-feet of torque, will be good for zero-to-60 mph in 4.5 seconds in the rear-wheel-drive model and using (yee-haw!) launch control. the transmission is an eight-speed automatic, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is optional.
the base used engine is a 252-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 260 pounds-feet of torque. it also has an eight-speed automatic and optional torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. but a six-speed manual transmission also is an option on the 2.0-liter and horsepower is 255 with that gearbox. a mechanical limited-slip differential is standard with the v-6 and optional for the four.
along with rack-mounted electric steering and available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, you can up the g70's game in handling with an adaptive sport suspension option. the new sedan also offers a performance brembo brake system. genesis emphasizes the stiffness and low center of gravity of the new sedan's construction, and also says that the more conservative styling nonetheless manages a slippery 0.28 drag coefficient, 0.29 if you opt for the 19-inch wheels and michelin pilot sport 4 summer tires.
providing a richer soundtrack for the sporty drive experience will be the g70's active sound design, with degrees of throaty noise paired to fit with the five available drive modes — sport, comfort, smart, eco and custom.
stay tuned at for more details leading up to the launch.
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