• Hyundai Genesis Group, the new rival luxury brand of Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW

  • Electric The Genesis GV60 will seek a fight with the Tesla Model Y

After its premiere in 2015 (in South Korea) and expansion to the first international markets (USA, Canada, Russia, Australia and the Middle East) Genesis arrived in Europe in 2021, with the launch of no more than

five different cars , between sedans, SUVs and now this 'hybrid' body, between 5 doors, hatchback and family

, which the premium brand of the South Korean Hyundai Group calls

Shooting Brake

.

And that it is an

alternative proposal to the family bodies of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C or Audi A4

.

What first (and probably also last, as we will see) strikes the most is the

attractive exterior design, in which lines from Jaguar XE, Subaru Impreza, Lexus IS Cross Sport and Mercedes CLS Shooting Break are mixed

.

The design language is called 'athletic elegance' and its creator, the Belgian

Luc Donckerwolke

, achieved a result that clearly differentiates the G70 SB from the German competition, from whom he wants to

steal customers

.

In the nose, the

wide grille stands out, with the vertex pointing towards the road, the long hood and the double LED headlights in front

, while behind the

round oculus, the spoiler and the drop of the C-pillar

stand out (until the central pillar nothing changes with respect to to the G70 sedan), somewhat reminiscent of the

forms of the coupés

.

Then the proportions are also defined by the huge hood, the generous width and the

low height

(only 1.40 meters).

It is important to say that this is the

first Genesis developed with Europe as a target

and that it will only be sold on our continent, which allowed the

Russelsheim

R&D center (of Hyundai) to dedicate itself to fine-

tuning the chassis

(with frequent exits to the

Nürburgring

circuit ), as we will see later.

If it is passionate on the outside, inside the G70 SB continues to generate positive sensations

.

supreme qualities

The configuration of the dashboard exudes class (

reminds us of Bentley cars, which is not shocking either since Donckerwolke has been style director of the aristocratic English brand

in the hands of the VW Group).

It pleases users with a quality of materials and finishes of a very good level (in the

upper half of the various panels

, not so much in the lower half), at the same time that it retains several

physical controls

that some rivals have ceased to have (forcing search in menus and submenus in the infotainment system).

By the way,

there is a central 10.25" screen

(horizontal and slightly focused on the driver) but its graphics look a bit dated, as well as being a bit slow to react to some touches (actually, it's

the screen) .

used by Kia, with certain improvements

). The standard instrumentation has an 8" central display and two analog counters, but it is possible

to opt for a second 12.3" digital screen, with a 3D effect

(which requires some habituation) that , together with the head-up display, integrates the Innovation package.

New is the

'eye-tracking' system

(gaze detection) that uses cameras to detect the impact of the driver's gaze on the instrumentation and then automatically expands the information in that area.

More normal,

the information (appearance, colors, content) in the instrumentation changes according to the chosen driving mode

(of the four available: Eco/Comfort/Sport/Sport+), through the rotary knob on the center console.

A few more comments about the user experience in the interior:

the images that are presented on the instrument panel on the outside side of the car

- as the indicators on each side come on - is an

interesting resource

(We know it in the recent electric cars from the Korean group, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6)

but not very useful

in poor visibility conditions (fog, rain...).

The

head-up display

, when assembled, works well and has good quality, but it is not understood how in 2022 a car of a brand that is presented as premium

does not have a wireless connection for Android or Apple devices

, but it is original to have a

'valet' mode so that personal data of the main user does not appear on the central screen if the car is driven by a valet

after arrival at a restaurant or luxury club.

And the

quality of the aluminum inserts

in the center console, door panels and pedals are to be commended, but

there should be some kind of lining at the bottom of the door pockets

.

If we talk about space, the Genesis G70 SB does not come out well

at all, largely due to the very low height of the bodywork (which also forces the occupants to lower themselves more than normal to enter the car).

Passengers over 1.80m tall should avoid the second row of seats,

which also has the inconvenience of the bulky central tunnel, which bothers (a lot) those who sit in the middle (yes, there are

direct ventilation outlets

, such as is normal for this class of car).

In this second row

there is not much light because the windows are small

.

The trunk offers 465 liters

of volume, 25 to 35 liters less than the German family.

The luggage space can be expanded by folding down the backs of the second row seats (in 40/20/40) - something that can also be done using the paddles on the sides of the trunk itself - but

you never get an area totally flat load

.

few engines

Before starting to drive, it must be explained that

the range of engines is quite simple and not very modern

, since it does not include any partially or fully electrified option (Genesis promises three hybrid cars this year, a fully electrified range in 2025 and only 100% cars). until 2030, but for now

it is clearly behind the competition

in this regard).

There is a four-cylinder gasoline engine with powers of 197 or 245 hp (when the Kia Stinger has a 3.3-liter V6...) and

a diesel, also four-cylinder, 2.2-liter and 200 hp

(all with an automatic transmission). 8-speed), which was the version we tested at the dynamic presentation in Portugal.

The first kilometers show a

smooth operation change

(with a very well finished control), but as we increase the pace it is noticed that it

tends to make the changes early

(up or down) and that even if we use the paddles to change manually (mounted behind the wheel)

never stands out for its speed

.

On the other hand,

the engine is noisy and unrefined at low revs

, despite the

good soundproofing

of the G70, which we have seen when we drive the most powerful petrol version (yes, with signs of a sports car in the Sport Line, with lowered and harder suspension, variable electronic dampers, low-profile tires, Brembo brakes, mechanical self-locking, sports exhaust system, etc.)

In any case,

the tuning work on the chassis made in Europe has paid off well

from a good starting base (independent multi-link suspension at the rear).

The rear shock absorbers are specifically set to deal with the load

that can be carried in the boot and

the front axle has been reinforced with aluminum for superior stiffness

.

Even so, there is more

transverse movement of the body

than expected (especially in a particularly low car) and

the ability to filter potholes is not convincing either

.

Steering feels heavier in

Sport mode

, but it is still not capable of making the driver feel involved with the car and with the road (it is

predictable and progressive, but not very communicative

).

The same driving modes should produce more variations in the response of the main interfaces serving the driver.

The

benefits

(7.7 s from 0 to 100 km/h and 225 km/h) are worse than those of the BMW 3 Touring 200d and Mercedes C SW 220d, but a few tenths more or a few km/h less well above the limits legal will probably not be so decisive to cause the lack of interest on the part of the demand as the fact that

the average consumption is at least 2 l/100 km higher in the Genesis

.

In short, the aesthetically

seductive

(outside and inside) Genesis G70 Shooting Break has it tough.

At a time when SUVs dominate and

familiar (or similar) bodies are losing customers

, the Korean consortium's luxury brand is trying to conquer by an alternative route.

But

there are rivals that are more fun to drive

(BMW 3 Series, just to mention one), more high-tech (Audi A4), with more space (all...)

and with more quality

(Mercedes C), as well as added prestige. .

Not to mention again the significant gap in plug-in hybrid engines in its range.

Data sheet

GENESIS G70 SHOOTING BRAKE 2.2D

Engine

.

Architecture: 4 cylinders in line

Distribution

: DOHC/16 valves.

Power

: direct injection, turbo, intercooler.

Displacement

: 2199 cc

Bore x Stroke

: 85.4 mm x 96 mm.

Power

: 200 hp/3800 rpm.

Torque

: 440 Nm/1750-2750 rpm.

Transmission

: Rear Wheel Drive, Automatic Transmission, 8 speeds.

Chassis

.

Suspension: Front Independent McPherson strut, Rear Independent multi-link.

Brakes

: Front and rear ventilated discs.

Address

: Electrically assisted.

Turning diameter

: 11.0 m.

Length/Width/Height

: 4,685m/1,850m/1,400m.

Battle :2,835m.

Boot capacity

: 465-1535 litres.

Tank capacity

: 60 liters

Weight

: 1,810 kg

Tires

: 8.0" J x 18 - 225/45 R18.

Benefits and consumption

.

Maximum speed

: 225 km/h.

Acceleration

: 0-100km/h 7.7s.

Mixed consumption

: 6.8 to 6.9 l/100 km.

CO2 emissions: 177-182g/km

Price

49,000 euros.

Other versions

from 40,000 euros (2.0 petrol, 197 hp, Premium Line).

The

4x4

always above 50,000 euros.

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

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