Genesis G80 Electrified: Battery-powered elegance

What is it?

Genesis G80 Electrified is as its name suggests an electrified version of Genesis’ large G80 luxury sedan.

But it is a conversion rather than a dedicated EV, evidenced by the blanked out radiator grille.

G80 is popular with hire car drivers because it offers plenty of splash for relatively little cash.

However, with a small boot and tight rear seat the electrified version may not be quite as appealing.

What’s it cost?

G80 is a big, impressive-looking car that radiates quality.

It sits a shade over 5.0 metres at 5005mm, with a wheelbase of 3010mm. It’s wide too, at 1925mm and stands 1467mm high.

The raked, fastback design is appealing and in the electrified version features a blanked out version of the signature Crest grille with G-Matrix pattern, with two-stripe quad matrix headlights.

There’s three models from which to choose, two petrol and one electric version: 2.5T 2WD, priced from $87,200, 3.5T Luxury AWD, from $116,200 and Electrified, from $147,000 — all before on-road costs.

When you buy a Genesis G80 Electrified, you also get the choice of five years of free charging via public infrastructure, or the option of a free home charger.

There’s only one option, matte or premium paint for $2000.

A choice of 11 exterior colours are offered, 10 shared with G80 2.5T and 3.5T — plus an exclusive hue called Matira Blue.

Named after the beach of the same name, Matira Blue uses a special pigment that changes colour from different angles — from cobalt to emerald-blue and turquoise.

Our test vehicle, G80 Electrified, was finished in this colour which looks like a sparkling metallic green in full sunlight, but almost becomes black in deep shade or at night.

The glass roof is divided into two sections which look like they could be solar panels (and we later learned that is indeed what they are).

The interior features three-zone climate air and is finished in a combination of tobacco brown and this weird, matte, flowery pastel design for the surrounds with suede for the headlining, pillars and rear shelf along with touches of stainless steel.

The interior design is apparently inspired by Korean architectural philosophy that emphasises the ‘Beauty of White Space’, to create a serene and luxurious experience for occupants.

It is available with Obsidian Black, Havana Brown, Forest Blue and an Electrified-exclusive Glacier White interior colours, each featuring a bespoke quilted pattern for the nappa leather seats.

In line with Genesis’ commitment to sustainable mobility, G80 Electrified uses low environmental impact natural and recycled materials throughout the cabin.

These include leather that utilises natural dye for the seats, console and rear seat armrests, an eco-friendly ‘forged wood’ garnish made from recycled birch wood from the furniture manufacturing process, and environmentally friendly fabric made from recycled PET.

Infotainment comes in the form of a long thin 14.5-inch touchscreen, operated by touch or via a console-mounted touch controller.

With the map displayed full screen it looks and is designed to accommodate an information panel to one side.

The system features Augmented Reality (AR) navigation, 12.0-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) and a 12.3-inch Genesis 3D instrument cluster, Genesis Integrated Controller w/handwriting shortcut, AM/FM/DAB+ w/ RDS, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio and Active Sound Design (ASD).

Touch is a stretch, but the controller is a little tricky to master and we were not able to locate our favourite radio station.

There’s also two 9.2-inch touchscreen hanging off the back of the front seats for the use of rear seat occupants.

Each screen is independent, allowing custom content to be displayed.

Dual 3.5mm headphone jacks and USB audio/video input located on rear centre armrest compartment.

Additional features include wireless Qi smartphone charging, 12-way power-adjust heated and ventilated front seats, power boot lid and a panoramic sunroof.

G80 Electrified scores five stars for safety.

The safety package is extensive, starting with 10 airbags, including centre bags

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) provides Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist detection (FCA – Car/Ped/Cyc), Junction Turning/Junction Crossing function (FCA – JT/JC), Lane-Change Oncoming/Lane-Change Side function (FCA – LO/LS) and Evasive Steering Assist function (FCA w/ ESA).

Smart Cruise Control (SCC) offers Stop & Go function (SCC w/ S&G) plus Machine Learning function (SCC w/ ML).

The system combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Smart Cruise Control (SCC) to learn driver patterns and habits, tailoring acceleration and following-distance.

The rule of fives applies to after sales care, with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year complimentary servicing with pickup and drop off.

What’s it go like?

It’s an impressive looking thing.

But for a big car interior space is far from expansive.

While Dr Who’s TARDIS is bigger inside than out, the futuristic G80 Electrified is exactly the opposite — larger outside than in.

A wide centre console separates driver and front passenger creating a narrow seating position.

Front legroom is okay, but in either direction there’s not a lot of room to move.

The seating position reminds us of the 1999 Jaguar S-Type which had a similarly tight driving position.

The situation is worse for rear seat passengers with a low roofline and elevated back seat that makes entry and exit challenging, with little room for head and knees once ensconced.

G80 Electrified is offered with a single battery-electric, all-wheel drive powertrain that delivers 272kW of power and 700Nm of torque, with a 136kW/350Nm electric motor front and rear.

With an 87.2kWh battery, energy consumption is a claimed 19.1kWh/100km with a maximum driving range of 520km based on the newer WLTP testing protocol.

The solar roof system helps to recharge the batteries and avoids the battery from going flat when the car is parked for long periods.

Depending on the location, weather conditions and time of year, it can add around 0.7kWh of energy in a day which translates to an extra 3km of range.

It’s not to be sneezed at because over the course of a year that can add up to 266.5kWh and an extra 1150 free kilometres.

Performance is typically EV, quick out of the blocks and emphatic, belying its 2325kg heft.

The dash from 0 to 100km/h takes 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 225km/h.

Riding on 19-inch wheels with chunky 245/275 rubber and a low centre of gravity, it has a planted, big car feel and goes ‘ker-thump’ over bumps and potholes in the road, retaining its composure at all times.

A Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) can separate or connect the motor and drive shaft according to driving conditions, including vehicle speed and driving mode.

The system lets G80 seamlessly switch between RWD and AWD to maximise efficiency.

G80 Electrified features a 400V/800V multi rapid-charging system that lets customers plug into a range of charging infrastructures.

The driving motor and inverter can boost the voltage from 400V to 800V – the optimal level for the system – for stable charging performance.

The charge port is located conveniently at the front of the car, hidden behind a door in the grille.

Plugged into a 350kW rapid charger, Electrified G80 can charge its battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes.

A V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) feature allows households to draw power from the car if needed, with household-grade 3.6kW output).

With four sensors and six microphones, Active Noise Control-Road (ANC-R) reduces road noise by generating sounds of the opposite phase like headphones.

Preview Electronic Control Suspension (Pre-view ECS), with information supplied from the front camera and navigation system, also helps to create the optimum driving experience.

A world-first, stereoscopic 3D instrument cluster uses a camera that recognises the driver’s eyes to present the display in 3D, with three themes that can be selected individually.

Augmented navigation uses the Surround View camera, the windscreen camera and front radar along with navigation data to form AR view navigation.

What we like?

• Looks schmick
• Feels classy
• Very well equipped
• Relatively cheap compared with a Euro

What we don’t like?

• Difficult to get in and out
• Tight seating position
• Not so keen on the weird trim
• Small boot

The bottom line?

Yeah, nah. 

While we like the G80 Electrified it in principle, we just couldn’t live with it.

Cramming the batteries and a second motor into a chassis designed to accept a single petrol engine is too much of a compromise.

Give us the same set up in a dedicated SUV and we’re good to go though.

 

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