Genesis G70: BMW 3 Series rival getting another update – report

The Genesis G70 is reportedly getting yet another substantial update to tide it over until a potential electric successor arrives.

In what appears to be a Korean dealer bulletin published by Autospy, a raft of changes are detailed ahead of a production start date in May.

That could point to a local launch later this year.

The most major change is the introduction of a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the current base turbo 2.0-litre.

This engine was already added to the related Kia Stinger in Korea and North America, though it wasn’t made available here.

In the Stinger, the 2.5-litre produces 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque. For reference, the G70 currently produces 179kW and 353Nm from its base 2.0-litre turbo.

The 2.5T is also available in the GV70 and G80, however as with the Stinger the G70 update doesn’t appear to be picking up the GV70 and G80’s twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6.

Instead, the twin-turbo 3.3-litre will reportedly continue. This produces 274kW and 510Nm.

Despite the heart transplant, cosmetic changes will reportedly be minor. They include new colours and wheel designs, standardised dual exhaust outlets, and new badges.

Brembo brakes are also listed as being standard across the entire updated range.

Inside, there’s a “touch-type climate control panel” – likely the climate control array from the GV70 – and a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The bulletin also makes note of a “new smart key” said to be the same as that of the GV60.

Price increases have also been flagged for the Korean market.

The G70 first entered production late in 2017, and arrived in Australia in 2019.

A mid-life update was revealed in 2020 and went on sale in 2021, as did a wagon version called the G70 Shooting Brake.

The mid-life update brought substantially different front- and rear-end styling, the latest generation of Hyundai Motor Group safety technology, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Genesis got off to a slow start in Australia, launching with two sedans while local buyers clamoured for SUVs. It has since launched three SUVs.

In its best year, 2020, Genesis sold 118 G70s. Last year, it sold just 94 examples despite having a second body style on deck.

It outsold the Jaguar XE (56 sales) in 2022, but sat behind the Alfa Romeo Giulia (287) and Volvo S60 (222) and V60 Cross Country (160).

That’s in contrast with its more affordable platform-mate, the Kia Stinger, of which 2242 examples were sold. This was a record for the nameplate in Australia.

The Stinger is exiting production this year, however, with Kia overtly pitching the EV6 as its successor.

In 2021, Genesis released an image of eight vehicles – four of which were SUVs, the other four passenger cars – which it captioned, “eight hydrogen-electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles”.

It subsequently said in 2022 it would be an “all-electric car brand with a six-model line-up by 2030”. It’s unclear what vehicles were scrapped from its plans.

By 2030, therefore, any G70 replacement on sale would be electric. However, it’s unclear if Genesis wants to roll out another combustion-powered generation before then.

The Korean luxury brand announced in 2021 it wouldn’t introduce any new combustion-powered vehicles after 2025.

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