We just learned that the Genesis GV80 will be fully revealed in a special debut event in South Korea on Thursday, January 16, 2020. Stay tuned as we will keep you posted on any further updates and information we get on the mid-size luxury SUV. [Updated 1/6/2020]
After a lot of back and forth on its presentation date, Genesis finally decided to go public with the first official images and details on its GV80 luxury SUV, just a couple of hours before the clock strikes a new decade (at least here on the East Coast).
A competitor to the likes of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Audi Q7, the Korean brand’s first every sport-utility vehicle is far from an unknown quantity to CarScoops readers, no thanks to a flood of leaked pictures over the past few months.
The styling, previewed by the GV80 Concept at the 2017 New York auto show, is the collaborative effort of the Genesis Design studios in South Korea, the United States and Germany.
Also Read: 2020 Genesis GV80 To Have Up To 375 HP, Will Reportedly Start Under $50,000 In Korea
The GV80 looks both athletic and sophisticated on the outside, though we must say that we much preferred the Concept’s slimmer and more chic grille instead of the production car’s massive pentagonal grille, which along with the quad lamps, are becoming a new design signature for Genesis, as seen on the restyled 2020 G90.
Genesis GV80 Concept from the 2017 New York Auto Show
Inside, Genesis went for a minimalist look and layout without overloading the dashboard with controls. The cabin features minimal physical buttons offering instead a new touch screen climate control and a large, standalone touch-screen for the infotainment system. In the official photo, there’s a digital instrument panel, but we’ve seen an analogue versios as well, though we suspect that the latter will be offered in Korea only.
Other notable elements in the interior are the slim air vents stretching across the front, the two spoke steering wheel and the lack of a traditional gear-lever with Genesis opting instead for a jewel-like, rotating electronic gear selector – something Jaguar had done in the past before reverting to a regular shifter. Genesis said that the GV80 will be offered in both two and three row layouts.
Any news on the powertrains?
Like its sedan siblings, the new GV80 is based on a rear-wheel-drive platform unique to the Genesis brand, with all-wheel drive being optional. While no powertrains have been officially confirmed yet, leaked information from South Korea talks of the availability of three engines in its home market.
At launch, there will be a six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbo diesel producing 274 hp (205 kW / 278 PS) and 434 lb-ft (589 Nm) paired to an 8-speed automatic for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds.
A few weeks later, it will be joined by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm) of torque allowing for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. Sitting at the top of the range will be a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with 375 hp (279 kW / 380 PS) and 390 lb-ft (530 Nm) of torque, which drops the 0-62mph (100km/h) time to 5.7 seconds.
In all likelihood, both gasoline engines will be available in North America.
Genesis teased the GV80’s presentation date in South Korea
When does it go on sale?
Genesis said that the GV80 is set to launch globally in 2020, with sales to commence in its home market of South Korea in January. Expect the GV80 to make its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show in April and go on sale a few months after that.
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