Genesis has unveiled an all-electric version of its GV70 SUV at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China.
Based on the existing GV70 rather than being a ground-up EV design, the electrified version gets a number of changes compared to the standard model. Unlike the upcoming Genesis GV60, instead of being built on an EV-only platform (in the GV60's case shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6), the GV70 still utilises much of the architecture of the ICE-powered version.
Subtle changes
Due to the difference in cooling requirements, the lower front air intakes have been more subtly integrated into the bumper while the crest-shaped grille has been closed-off to aid aerodynamics. The grille also features a hidden charging port and is flanked by a pair of extremely thin LED stacked headlamp units. With the absence of tailpipes, the rear bumper has been redesigned accordingly.
The interior contains a blend of digital controls and hard switchgear, so not everything is relegated to a big central touchscreen. The show car's interior, made from, Genesis says, "a variety of eco-friendly materials" is finished in Glacier White, though, thankfully for parents picking kids up from mucky winter sports training, there'll be other options available too. Extra space is granted thanks to the absence of a transmission tunnel.
One powertrain only
As for what's powering it, the company hasn't released many details about the size of the battery pack except that it utilises a similar 800V charging set-up as its Hyundai-Kia siblings, the Ioniq 5 and EV6, so it is capable of ultra-fast charging. At a 350kW charge point, for instance, Genesis says the battery can be topped up from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. Going the other direction, the electrical system is able to support Vehicle to Load charging at 3.6kW meaning that battery charge can be used to power external appliances.
Driving the GV70 are a pair of 160kW electric motors sending power to all four wheels, giving it a total of 489hp when performance-focused "Boost Mode" is selected. A 4.5-second 0-100km/h time is possible in Boost Mode, according to the company. On the more efficient side of things, a Disconnector Actuator System can cut power from a motor to a driveshaft meaning that depending on the speed and driving mode, the GV70 can switch seamlessly between two-wheel and four-wheel drive for greater efficiency and to extend battery life.
Based on the Chinese CLTC testing standard, 500km between charges is possible in the GV70, though under the stricter Korean testing regime, it actually works out at around 400km.
Will it be coming to Ireland?
Very possibly. Launched in 2015, the company is the luxury division of Hyundai (like Nissan's Infiniti or Toyota's Lexus) and has been seen solid sales and some considerable acclaim in the United States. Having recently launched in Europe, it hasn't made it to Ireland yet, though Hyundai's distributors here have told us that Genesis could launch in Ireland, perhaps in 2023.
If so, expect to see this electric GV70 occupying showrooms then.