Genesis unveiled the first official images of its upcoming luxury SUV, the GV80, on the last day of 2019. This signifies the entrance of Hyundai’s luxury division into the competitive realm of SUVs. The letter “V” in GV80 symbolizes “versatility.”
Carefully captured in photos to retain an air of mystery about its design, the visible elements bear resemblance to the prestigious Bentley Bentayga. Notably, the large, pentagonal grille and the dual-horizontal LED light signatures running parallel on the front and rear doors contribute to the distinctive look of the GV80, setting it apart from other luxury SUVs on the road.
Genesis is hinting at a sleek, minimalist interior with a “jewel-like” electronic gear selector knob, resembling the cabins found in Land Rover’s contemporary lineup. However, the GV80 stands out with its broad infotainment screen emerging from the dashboard, ensuring optimal visibility for the driver.
From a mechanical standpoint, the GV80 is not just an enhanced Hyundai Palisade, as it is constructed on a new rear-drive platform exclusively engineered for Genesis vehicles. It will offer up to three rows of seating and the option for all-wheel drive. Specifics about the engines and other technical features will be disclosed in the upcoming weeks, but speculations point towards the inclusion of Genesis’ 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, commonly found in other Genesis models like the Kia Stinger.
The Genesis GV80 of 2020 is set to be introduced this year and will soon be available at dealerships in South Korea by late January.
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