Genesis Electrified G80 Becomes the Brand's First EV

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Hyundai and Kia may have major plans for their electrified future, but Genesis has been quiet on the electric front. Luxury brands have had a hard time trying to get consumers to pay large amounts of money for electric cars with a minimal amount of range, leaving Tesla to rule the class. While other automakers, like Audi, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz are attempting to take Tesla on with electric SUVs, Genesis wants to do things a little differently.

All-Electric G80 Arrives

Genesis recently unveiled its first all-electric vehicle called the Electrified G80. As its name implies, it's based on the brand's G80 sedan and is all-electric. The sedan made its debut at the recent Shanghai Auto Show and is expected to make it to the U.S. shortly. The zero-emissions powertrain will join the G80's and bring another dimension to the luxury sedan.

Specific information on the U.S. variant isn't available yet, but the sedan has some impressive numbers. The Electrified G80 carries a 265-mile range based on the Korean test, which should carry over in the EPA's testing. Genesis didn't provide specifications on battery size or power figures for the sedan. That kind of range would put the Electrified G80 in the same league as the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, and Polestar 2.

The Electrified G80 will come with all-wheel drive with a fancy Disconnector Actuator System. The system can disconnect the motor and driveshaft based on driving conditions to go from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive. This increases efficiency. It should also boost handling in inclement weather situations.

Nifty Charging Tricks

Genesis may be trying to create some room from itself from Hyundai, but the Electrified G80 will come with the automaker's rapid charging system. The Electrified G80 will be able to support charging on 400- to 800-volt infrastructure. The sedan's drive motor and inverter can increase voltage from 400 volts to 800 volts without the need for an additional inverter. Plug the Electrified G80 into a fast-charging station and the sedan can get 80 percent of its charge back in roughly 22 minutes. Another charging feature is the Electrified G80's ability to power external devices at up to 3.6 kilowatts.

So far, that's all Genesis is willing to say about the Electrified G80. From a design standpoint, the Electrified G80 looks identical to the gas-powered G80 on sale, which is a good thing. The front grille has been revised to be more aerodynamic, but it's a subtle difference. In a nod to being an eco-friendly vehicle, the Electrified G80 will come with sustainable interior materials.

With Genesis set to come out with more information on the U.S.-bound electrified G80 soon, we expect to see the sedan go on sale before the end of 2021 or at the beginning of 2022.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods