Hyundai’s premium brand Genesis takes the G80 notchback sedan, puts an 87.2-kilowatt hour battery in the underbody and competes as an electric four-wheel drive vehicle against the Tesla Model S and the Mercedes EQE.
A fully electric touring sedan still sounds like a paradox to many. The keywords here are travel and electric. “We don’t want you to have to take four coffee breaks to charge with the G80 Electrified on a long journey, but only one,” explains Genesis Germany boss Benjamin Winkler. The request is worthy of all honor. However, with a maximum range of 520 kilometers, the implementation of this depends on the length of the planned journey and other factors such as driving style or the temperature. In our test, the on-board computer indicated a distance of 356 kilometers when we started the journey.
With outside temperatures above 20 degrees, not quite the promised range of 520 kilometers (WLTP), but this forecast always depends on the driving style of the previous pilots. If a full-throttle artist has chased the Genesis GV80 Electrified as long as possible at the top speed of 225 km/h, the mileage of the 87.2-kilowatt-hour battery melts. After our test drive, which took us over high-speed motorways and the Hochtaunus road, the on-board computer showed consumption of 19.8 kWh/100 km. Incidentally, Genesis lists 19.1 kWh/100 km as average consumption.
On long journeys, charging is almost as important as range. The G80 Electrified benefits from the 800-volt technology of the Hyundai Group’s electric vehicles, which allows for quick refueling. The Koreans have also discovered battery preconditioning: the batteries are charged from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes at a DC charging station that enables 240 KW. At 50 kW and 400 volts it takes 67 minutes. The optional solar roof (1,610 euros) gives you a range of up to 1,150 kilometers. The charging socket is located at the front of the closed radiator grille. “This positioning helps, especially at charging stations that are on the freeway,” says product manager Joris Burkholz. During the journey you can use the paddles behind the steering wheel for recuperation. On the left it gets stronger and allows for one-pedal driving at the highest level. A heat pump including waste heat recovery. The fact that the aerodynamicists were able to reduce drag by 0.01 points to a drag coefficient of 0.26 also helps
With all the tricks, one must not forget that the Genesis G80 is based on the M3 platform, which the technicians have modified for the Electrified version. In addition to the underbody that has been modified due to the battery, the engineers have inserted a carbon strut at the height of the front seats. To reduce the weight, they replaced many steel parts with aluminum elements, taking 46 kilograms out of the car. Nevertheless, the G80 Electrified still weighs 2,325 kilograms. The fact that the electric sedan is based on older technology is noticeable in the interior, despite the sustainable and noble materials with the 14.5-inch touchscreen and the 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Especially when you look at the cockpit of the Genesis E-Crossover GV60. There is also enough space in the front of the G80 Electrified. Despite a wheelbase of 3.01 meters, the rear is narrower both on the legs and around the head. Especially when the front seat is all the way down.
Comfort is also part of a touring limousine. The G80 Electrified offers that. The luxury Korean is primarily made for highways and country roads. The “anticipatory” adaptive chassis reliably compensates for unevenness in the asphalt. The suspension only communicates the condition of the road to the passengers when there are major potholes. The seating position is high and the leg rest of the thighs is too short. However, these can be lengthened in order to achieve better seating comfort. The inflatable side bolsters also help here, improving lateral support as soon as you really step on the gas.
On the road, the Genesis sedan cuts a fine figure. Two PSM electric motors, each with 136 kW / 185 hp on the front and rear axles, implement a kind of hang-on all-wheel drive. Basically, the rear axle is in command, if necessary, the front axle switches on within a few milliseconds. The basic driving programs Eco, Comfort and Sport are configured accordingly. If you press and hold the driving experience switch, the snow mode is activated.
As with most electric cars, the Genesis G80 Electrified is already fast enough in the Eco program. No wonder with a torque of 700 Newton meters. With a kick-down, things move quickly. As usual, the chassis and the “muscles” of the G80 Electrified tighten in Sport mode, the powertrain responds more quickly to the driver’s acceleration requests. It never gets uncomfortable. After all, the G80 Electrified is also designed as a touring sedan. It then reaches 100 km/h after 4.9 seconds and at least 225 km/h is the end. Despite the single-speed gearbox, the Genesis doesn’t run out of air at high speeds, although the wind noise increases audibly. Otherwise, the interior is pleasantly quiet due to such details as active noise cancellation. Finally, there is the price. It starts at 69,200 euros. The extras come with a handful of packages, bringing the total price to €86,510. The Genesis Electrified will be available from dealers from June.
Source: Stern
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