Genesis Electrified G80

Korean luxury brand's second EV is a converted ICE car. Does that help or hinder it?

MODEL TESTED ELECTRIFIED G80

Price £65,000 Power 365bhp Torque 516lb ft 0-60mph 4.4sec 30-70mph in fourth na Fuel economy 3.2mpkWh CO₂ emissions Og/km. 70-Omph 45.4m

The introductions of new Genesis cars continue T apace. In just over a year, Hyundai's premium spin-off has launched no fewer than five new models in Europe, making it clear that this is no toe in the water but a concerted effort to, in time, seize a significant portion of the market.

We have so far road tested the GV80 large SUV, the G70 compact executive saloon and the GV60 electric crossover, and while all have been likeable for their design and sumptuous interiors, it's only the GV60 that has really impressed across the board, earning four stars.

The combination of the EV technology that proved class-leading in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 with Genesis's premium veneer proved quite compelling, and avoided one of the main issues that has been plaguing the brand's cars: petrol and diesel engines that aren't up to the standard of the European opposition.

This week's road test subject is something else again. It's the G80 saloon Genesis's Mercedes E-Class rival - but with an electric drivetrain in place of its petrol and diesel engines. Does the Electrified G80 surf on the GV60's wave or fall into the traps of other Genesis models?

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

Given the existence of the E-GMP platform that underpins the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60, it would be easy to assume it forms the basis of the Electrified G80 as well.

Instead, it uses the same Genesis-specific architecture as the petrol and diesel G80, and the GV80. This platform was designed with electrification in mind, but is nevertheless quite compromised when loaded with 87kWh and 546kg worth of battery cells. The pack clearly intrudes into the interior and leaves no luggage space under that long bonnet.