Genesis To Launch Compact Luxury SUV With G70 Underpinnings

Genesis won’t introduce its GV80 SUV until the middle of next year, but it has revealed that it is already working on a smaller SUV/crossover.

During a recent sales call with reporters, Hyundai chief operating officer Erwin Raphael announced that a new crossover is being developed around the platform of the G70 sports sedan, Motor 1 reports.

“We’re very excited to introduce the GV80 about 11 months from now. Next May/June. Then maybe 10 or 11 months after that, a compact crossover SUV built on the G70 platform,” Raphael said.

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Unsurprisingly, no further details were given about the G70-based crossover, but news that the company is developing such a vehicle should excite consumers. The G70 has proven itself to be one of the finest cars in its class and a crossover version with similar performance could prove to be a runaway success for Genesis.

Turbo fours and sixes, likely

We suspect the vehicle will be sold with the same engines as the G70 sedan. That means a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 252 hp and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque will probably serve entry-level buyers. The crossover/SUV range would then be topped out by a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 derivative with a mighty 365 hp and 376 lb-ft (510 Nm) of twisting force.

It remains a mystery as to how the vehicle will look but it will likely combine styling elements of the G70 and its largest sibling, the GV80. The GV80 will share many parts with the G80 sedan, including the same 3.8-liter V6, twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6, and 5.0-liter V8 engines.