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2022 Genesis G80 Sport Revealed as Luxury Sedan to Undercut the Competition
By Ben McKimm - News Published: , Last Updated:
While the price of European luxury vehicles continues to rise exponentially thanks to 6-month waitlists, Aussies are drawing their attention to alternative manufacturers that offer quality vehicles at a competitive price. Designed from the ground up as a competitor to the Mercedes E-Class, the Genesis G80 Sport has the power, technology, and features that make for a quality product in the Aussie market. What makes this luxury sedan special? Let’s take a look.
Image: Genesis
2022 Genesis G80 Overview
The G80 Sport sounds like a completely different product on paper, but it’s merely offered as a $6000 AUD premium option over the base G80 (that starts at $86,000 AUD). Genesis believes the ‘Sport’ variant will account for 40% of all sales, and as such, they’re pushing this model to the forefront of the lineup.
When shopping for the G80, buyers can take their pick from either a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. At the lower end of the power spectrum, we have the G80 2.5T model powered by a 2.5-litre turbo four driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic, with outputs of 224kW @ 5800rpm and 422Nm @ 1650-4000rpm. G80 3.5T is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with 279kW @ 5800rpm and 530Nm @ 1300-4500rpm. Drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on the G80 3.5T (from $102,000 AUD) includes;
- 4-piston Monobloc front brake calipers.
- 360mm ventilated front brakes, 345mm ventilated rear brakes.
- 20-inch alloys, w/ Michelin Pilot 4S tyres (245/40 front, 275/35 rear).
- Road Preview Electronic Control Suspension.
Image: Genesis
What Does the Genesis G80 Sport Package Include?
So what do you get for $108,000 AUD? The $6000 Sport Package includes visual styling assets, such as;
- 20-inch alloy wheels in G-Matrix pattern.
- Dark chrome exterior accents.
- Dual exhaust finishers.
- Available Sevilla Red/Mallorca Blue exterior paints.
- Available Sevilla Red Nappa leather upholstery (w/ Luxury Package).
- Sport three-spoke steering wheel.
- Sports seat quilting.
- Real carbon interior trim.
Alongside a few software-based enhancements, including;
- Active Road Noise Control
- Rear-wheel steering
- Sport+ drive mode
- Launch control
Rear-wheel steering and active road noise control are the most prominent additions, in of themselves accounting for most of the $6000 AUD price increase over standard. The rear wheels will steer in the opposite direction under 60km/h to help with tight manoeuvres in the city and at speeds over 60km/h, they’ll steer in the same direction as the front for increased composure and control.
Sport+ mode tightens everything up (as the name suggests). Steering ratios quicken, throttle response is increased, the suspension is stiffened, gear shifts are faster and more aggressive, and finally, the tractional control is turned off. Why on earth Genesis thought this would be a good idea is beyond us and hopefully drive modes will be manually configurable to overcome this decision. We’re not quite sure why anyone would want their traction control turned off just to have quicker shifts, increased throttle response, and less body roll.
Image: Genesis
Pricing and Availability
- Genesis G80 2.5T: from $86,000 AUD
- Genesis G80 3.5T: from $102,000 AUD
No thanks to a global pandemic, pricing is up across the board +$1100 for the 2.5T and +$2100 for the 3.5T.
If you want to go all out with wireless rear-charging, ergo motion seats and extensive interior designs (including the V-style seat designs) the Luxury Option package is still available for a whopping $13,000 AUD.
You can put your name on the list for a four-cylinder Genesis G80 variant now, with the 3.5T version set to arrive next month. Most excitingly, the G80 EV is set to launch Downunder during the second quarter of 2022.
Image: Genesis
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