The upcoming 2018 Genesis G70 has been spied testing for the very first time, giving the world its first look at the brand’s BMW 3-Series rival.
While Hyundai’s luxury-oriented sub-brand is still new, Genesis has already launched its G90 flagship and mid-side G80 sedans to tackle the German trio of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The G70 is likely to prove to be the company’s most important model as it taps into a market it hasn’t previously fettled in and one where it will have to tackle some of the finest sedans currently on the market.
To give the car the best chance of doing that, Genesis is expected to underpin the G70 with a rear-wheel drive platform which will be borrowed by a sport coupe and luxury crossover later in the decade. While the G70 will come standard with rear-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive option will be made available following its launch.
Given that the G70 will be heavily inspired by the Genesis Hybrid Sports Sedan concept, it is reported that it could bring the show car’s powertrain into production. That means a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to an electric motor could come standard. Delivering 242 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, it will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
More expensive and powerful G70 variants can be expected to feed off a more potent turbocharged four-cylinder as well as a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6.
Unsurprisingly, the road-going G70 will adopt a far more restrained look than the Hybrid Sports Sedan concept. At the front, these spy shots reveal that the car has adopted a wide mesh grille and a subtle yet eye-catching lower chin spoiler. The rear of this prototype meanwhile includes two square tailpipes, pointed lights and a 3-Series inspired shark fin antenna.
According to reports, the 2018 Genesis G70 will celebrate its world debut in early to mid-2017.
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