2018 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport Preview
CARS.COM
Competes with: Lexus GS 350 F Sport, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6
Looks like: G80 with a touch of swagger
Drivetrain: 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 engine; eight-speed automatic
Hits dealerships: Spring
As Hyundai builds out its newly stand-alone Genesis brand, it’s giving the G80 sedan a new, sportier trim for 2018 with a twin-turbocharged V-6, complementing the base V-6 and top-level V-8 models. The 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport bowed today at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.
More 2016 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
The new trim aims to take on sportier versions of rival Asian sedans, such as the Lexus GS 350 F Sport, as well as driver-oriented European competition from the likes of BMW and Audi. And it’s the major news for the G80, which otherwise carries into 2018 with some technology tweaks, lightly refreshed front and rear bumpers and grille, and an all-wheel-drive option now for the V-8 models.
Exterior
The sleek G80 sedan has been given a dose of attitude for the Sport trim, with a more aggressive front bumper and its own lower sill and lower rear designs. The Sport also gets a dark-chrome cross-hatch grille, dark-alloy 19-inch wheels and dark satin trim. Paint choices will include two new ones exclusive to the Sport: Polar Ice and Sevilla Red.
Interior
The handsome G80 interior will be distinguished in the Sport from more sedate G80s by sport pedals, a chunkier steering wheel and more bolstered sport seats in black or gray leather with copper-color contrast stitching. A black microfiber headliner and real carbon-fiber trim, rather than aluminum and matte wood in the others, finish off the sporty ambiance.
Under the Hood
The Sport trim gets Hyundai’s new twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6, first seen in the 2017 V-6 models of the larger Genesis G90. It puts out 365 horsepower and 376 pounds-feet of torque, slotting it between the G80’s current base 311-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 and the top trim’s 420-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. The new V-6 is mated to an eight-speed automatic with new shift-by-wire technology that the company says has been given more aggressive tuning than in other G80s. Adding further substance to the Sport badge is an adaptive suspension and upgraded brakes.
All-wheel drive will be offered on the Sport, as it will on all G80 models for 2018, including for the first time in the 5.0-liter V-8 versions.
Safety
A full plate of safety technology will be standard on all 2018 G80s, including forward collision with automatic emergency braking and a new pedestrian detection capability. Also standard are a driver attention alert, blind spot monitor, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and a backup camera. Adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree camera are also available.
