When Genesis was spun off as a separate brand from parent company Hyundai, everyone was eager to know when its fleet of saloons will be joined by SUV models. The Korean luxury marque has surely taken its sweet time developing an SUV range, with the first concept surfacing two years ago at the 2017 New York motor show. Ever since, we’ve seen several renderings that blended the GV80 concept’s designs with the silhouette of the camouflaged test cars that have been spotted frequently.
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This week, Genesis has shared the first official images of the GV80, the first sport-utility vehicle for the brand. The three-row SUV, which will become the fourth model in the brand’s lineup, will be based on a rear-wheel-drive platform with all-wheel drive as an option. According to brand, the “V” in the GV80 name represents versatility.
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“Over the last four years, Genesis established itself as a respected luxury brand with superior vehicle quality and a lineup of class-leading sedans with charismatic and discriminating style,” said William Lee, Executive Vice President and Global Head of the Genesis Brand. “With the launch of GV80, Genesis will elevate expectations for excellence within the luxury SUV market.”
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The first set of images provide more insight into the GV80’s styling than teaser images generally do. Signature Genesis design elements that have already been seen in the G70, G80 and G90 are visible in the teaser photos, including the prominent ‘Crest’ grille flanked by the Quad Lamp. “The Quad Lamp, our design signature, introduces an unmistakable visual impression completely unique to Genesis,” said Sang Yup Lee, Senior Vice President, Head of Genesis Design.
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The dashboard is pretty much revealed in full, and is strikingly minimalist in design and layout. The slim air vents that stretch across the width of the cabin and the fact that the number of buttons have been kept to the minimum add to the aura of roominess.
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Set to launch globally later this month, GV80 will commence sales in the home market of South Korea in January itself. More details will be available closer to launch.
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The Morning and Evening Brief###
The Morning and Evening Brief