It’s been known for some time now that Hyundai’s Genesis brand is ready to take on BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The Genesis G80 has already proven itself to be a worthy rival to cars like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6. So what about its newest entry, something to take on the famous BMW 3 Series, the Genesis G70?
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From the reviews that are now coming out, it sounds like the Genesis G70 has the goods to be a genuine competitor in one of the most fiercely competitive segments in the automotive world.
While Genesis is an incredibly young brand, being only three years old, it’s done remarkable work for such a short time of existence. Its team of engineers in South Korea have shown the world they mean business and the G70 is the car they’re using to do it.
The KIA Stinger was the first car to come from Hyundai/KIA to challenge the Germans in this segment, and performance admirably, but the G70 seems to be even better from what we’re hearing. The Genesis G70 is lighter, sharper and more dynamic that the Stinger, while also being more premium.
Steering is said to be very good, with sharp reactions and solid steering feel. The front end is also said to bite well and turn in quickly. It’s also said to have a playful and dynamic chassis, more than capable of competing with the big Germans.
There will be two engine options at launch — a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged 3.3 liter V6. The four-cylinder will come with either 252 hp or 255 hp, depending on whether you get the automatic or manual transmissions, respectively. That’s right, the Genesis G70 will have the option for a manual transmission, as well as the option for rear or all-wheel drive. Imagine that, a premium, rear-wheel drive sport sedan with a six-speed manual and it’s from a Hyundai offshoot?
If you want the bigger twin-turbo V6, you’ll get 365 hp but lose the manual transmission option. With the V6 and eight-speed auto, the G70 get get to 60 mph in a claimed 4.5 seconds. Although, the heavier KIA Stinger is faster than that with the same powertrain, so we expect it to be faster than that. It also comes with a sort of “drift mode” if you get all-wheel drive, which will shunt most of the torque to the rear wheels to help throw some angles.
This new Genesis G70 seems to be a very promising, very intriguing car, one that we think can be a genuine threat to the Germans. If someone’s in the market for a sport sedan and they’re looking at the lease price of a pretty base-model 3 Series or a really well-equipped G70, and the G70 isn’t really a drop off in terms of dynamics or fun, if it’s a drop off at all, only badge prestige and interior quality would send someone to a BMW dealer. Unless this new G20 3 Series is a bigger step up than we think.
…then Hyundai
Acura
Alfa
Audi
Cadillac
Infiniti
Jaguar
Kia
Lexus
Mercedes
Tesla
Saab 900 Turbo
Maserati Biturbo
This has been going on for 30 yrs.
It won’t ruffle BMW anytime soon for sure, but it will definitely help us by keeping the big German boys from getting too leeway with their cars. Now, they shouldn’t take sporting driving dynamics any lightly. If this car drives as good as it sounded from this article then BMW needs to work hard to unleash the driving talent of its upcoming 3 series.
I don’t know, I think they may not be that far off the 3 series.
A bit more work and they may get there. I love BMW but am not going to be blindly following or patting them on the back when they are no longer as good or competitive.
I love and welcome competition, things can only improve from having strong competitors.
I echo your words, Mod9. My point was specifically about current scenario. They will definitely make a good start but matching overall driving finesse and drive train fluidity may take some time.
Infact, this car may end up having the simplicity and mechanical tactility that most of us yearn so much. I have some idea about Korean culture, their ruthlessness in executing any work is staggering.
I think Infiniti, Lexus and Acura should be extremely worried. Not one of them can claim superiority over Genesis, not even in reliability! Their brand cachet is nil over Genesis, and what one has in looks, or driving dynamics, the other beats it in reliability. The G70 seems to have all these in one package, and unlike most (all?) of its Japanese competition, these are not based on mechanicals from the cheaper division.
yep, they really have gone all the way in differentiating their products from lesser Hyundais. All new RWD platform, new Engine and gearbox programs and i guess they have now separated the product development team from Hyundai too. Their Genesis Essentia concept was spectacular to look at as well.
I personally feel that Genesis would steamroll Infiniti, Acura in short time but lexus may take a bit longer.
I had several 3 series in the past and I know its BMW’s best seller; currently I drive a 440i xDrive Gran Coupe and to be honest, BMW should kill the 3 series altogether and work on the 4 series alone.
Yes, when a company is doing record volume, always a good plan to kill their best-seller. Which would also kill your 4 Series since it’s the same car. The new 3er is due in days, perhaps you should write Munich directly, they may not get your message here.
That hyundai is a pure rip off of bmw interior wise.