The next generation 2021 Genesis G80 has officially (digitally) been revealed to the world. The new G80 is immediately distinctive from Genesis' outgoing model in both design and profile. In front, the new G80 gets a large, crest-shaped grill and four thin headlight beams, all of which bear a striking resemblance to the recently released Genesis GV80 SUV. In profile, gone is the traditional sedan shape of the outgoing model, replaced by a sloping roofline and swooped-back rear, four-door-coupe style.
In back, the 2021 G80 offers a subtle boat-tail look, as if the body is on a path to converge to one point but would need another 10 feet of body to actually do it. Instead, an integrated spoiler spans the width of the G80's bodywork just above the taillights, as well as twin tailpipes. A chrome-like bar runs across the side of the new G80, maybe 6 inches above the bottom of the body, ascending ever so slightly as it travels backward. Accent pieces on the front quarter panel almost carry on where the headlights left off behind the front wheel. Overall, at first glance, the new G80 looks sharp.
Inside, sitting atop the Genesis G80's dash is a 14.5-inch long screen to handle the usual infotainment duties. The instrument cluster is a second screen 12.3-inches long and visible behind a four-post steering wheel with two-tones and several buttons and controls. Pleasantly, there are separate controls, including rotary knobs, for HVAC. Overall, the 2021 G80 interior looks elegant and highly manicured, with lots of patterns in seat stitching and liberal use of wood and soft-touch materials.
The G80's new platform carrying all those materials sticks with the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive core layout, but is built using aluminum for 19 percent of the body, which Genesis claims makes this G80 243 pounds lighter than before. Additionally, the Genesis also claims an improvement in the G80's center of gravity. And, while the platform is rear-wheel-drive based, all-wheel-drive is available.
A diesel engine is offered in the 2021 G80, but not for the United States. We can choose between a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, both of which are turbocharged. The base 2.5-liter produces 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,650 and 4,000 rpm. Adding a liter and two cylinders to the equation pumps the numbers up to 375 hp at 5,800 rpm and 391 pound-feet between 1,300-4,500 rpm. Genesis didn’t say, but you can bet the one and only transmission will be an eight-speed automatic, as in the last G80.
As is near certainty in any new car, the 2021 Genesis G80 comes with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, or nannies, if you like. Included are adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, collision avoidance and blind-spot detection. It an accident does occur, the G80 has 10 airbags to deploy, as needed.
If you’re feeling fancy, the 2021 Genesis G80 will park itself for you, in both perpendicular and parallel parking maneuvers. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are available. The front seats both heat and ventilate and passengers in the rear have independent HVAC controls.
Genesis claims the G80 instrument cluster can “recognize the driver’s eyes” and adjust a three-dimensional instrument cluster display accordingly. Clever, though I’m not certain useful.
As we learn more, we’ll be sure to share. And we look forward to a non-digital chance to take it on a test drive.
