At this level, we all know what to anticipate when Hyundai applies an N badge to its automobiles. The ensuing automobiles are critical efficiency machines with super enchantment to lovers. Over at company sibling Genesis, nonetheless, the label of “Sport” has introduced with it a comparatively inconsistent expertise. This confusion stays with the 2022 Genesis G80 Sport.
A part of the issue is that there are two variations: the Sport and Sport Status. Each add the three.5-liter twin-turbo V6 as normal tools, an engine that has been discontinued as an possibility on different G80s for 2022. These are actually fitted solely with the two.5-liter turbo inline-four.
Past that, the 2 Sports activities share a variety of look modifications to additional differentiate them from the usual fashions. These embrace a singular darkish chrome grille, new entrance and rear bumper designs, black bezels across the lights and darkish chrome all through the place you’d discover brightwork on common G80s. The usual Sport will get particular 19-inch wheels, however the Sport Status will get its personal 20-inch wheel design that may be paired with optionally available summer time tires.
That is all she wrote for the bottom Sport, nonetheless, making it successfully an look package deal paired with the V6 engine. If all you take care of are these seems and the additional energy — and by golly, does it look good — discuss with our normal G80 overview, as a result of that’s how the usual G80 Sport will drive. For a extra complete, totally realized efficiency mannequin, you need to put up an additional $6,300 for the Sport Status. That is the model we’re driving right here.
Regardless of a reputation that means further leather-based or normal fanciness, the Status is in reality the model that provides high-performance options past the larger engine. You get a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, high-performance brakes, rear-wheel steering and that capacity to possibility summer time efficiency tires. In different phrases, that is the actual Sport.
That mentioned, to set expectations, don’t come into this hoping for a Mercedes-AMG, BMW M or Audi Sport competitor. Regardless of the upgrades, the G80 Sport Status continues to be not aiming at that degree of efficiency. The slinky sedan’s powertrain produces 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and routes it by means of an eight-speed automated transmission. The eight-speed is similar as earlier than, however new tuning for a singular “Sport+” drive mode makes the G80 a much more aggressive shifting accomplice on curvy roads.
There’s no sport exhaust that allows you to hear the boosted V6 any higher than earlier than, however you possibly can regulate the simulated engine noise to your liking. It will get decently loud within the cabin, however by no means sounds notably good. This engine is deserving of some reins loosening, although, because it’s a potent powerplant. Launch management may be activated with stability management off, and with it, this G80 Sport Status easily scampers from 0 to 60 mph in what seems like simply over 5 seconds. We estimate, as a result of Genesis doesn’t present an official acceleration time.
The “sport-tuned” suspension consists of springs which might be only a bit stiffer than these fitted to the usual automobile, together with revised damper tuning. While you dial up the utmost Sport+ drive mode, these electronically-controlled dampers get means stiffer than you may count on for such a giant sedan — you actually don’t need to cruise round on this mode, as a result of it’s jarringly stiff. Plus, the steering turns into unnaturally heavy to the purpose of being annoying, a trait shared with the GV70 Sport.
One would hope that this added stiffness may translate into higher dealing with efficiency, however the G80 Sport Status doesn’t have the identical playful angle as its rock star little sibling, the G70. This can be a huge, heavy sedan that seems like a giant, heavy sedan in all circumstances. The addition of rear-wheel steering helps turn-in really feel faster, however we nonetheless wouldn’t describe it as agile. There’s not a lot in the best way of physique roll, however in contrast to many huge automobiles that shrink round you in a physics-defying method, the G80 gives no such theatrics. It’s succesful and prepared to be tossed round, however it’s not a joyous nor enjoyable train. The stiff suspension is a detriment in some circumstances, because it crashes over poor pavement mid-corner, feeling considerably jittery and unrefined within the course of.
The all-wheel drive system successfully will get energy down, however the automobile doesn’t translate what’s happening on the wheels again to the steering wheel, leaving you largely numb to the street. You possibly can coax a small little bit of slip angle with traction management off, however the automobile is neither keen to take action nor confidence-inspiring (learn: predictable) when you get there. Not less than the transmission is raring to please in Sport+, because it’s at all times shifting down when it may and holding gears so long as potential. Plus, the brake pedal is tremendous stiff and responsive when you’ve got it in its sport setting — Genesis makes use of brake-by-wire tech to vary pedal really feel relying on what mode you set it to.
The place this G80 Sport Status shines greatest is once you dial it again into the fundamental Sport mode, or configure the Particular person mode to melt the suspension whereas holding every part else in additional aggressive settings. Its energy is so very satisfying to eat up pavement as you fly up and down a gently curving street — assume cruising on Freeway 1, not Tail of the Dragon switchbacks. Plus, the added stability afforded by the rear-wheel steering, when the rear wheels flip in the identical course because the fronts at higher-speed conditions reminiscent of vast sweepers, offers the G80 that buttoned-down and safe feeling we had been hoping for within the tighter bits. The suspension is much extra forgiving and pliable on poor roads in Sport, however nonetheless offers the G80 a planted experience. Our tester was fitted with high-performance all-season Pirelli P Zero tires that afforded loads of grip, however given the choice, we’d recommend paying the additional $500 for the summer time tires from the manufacturing unit. It snowed the week that we had the G80, and the all-season tires had been poor replacements for actual winter rubber, so that you may as nicely take pleasure in the additional grip in the summertime and put money into a superb set of winters for chilly months.
Subjected to day by day driving responsibility, the G80 Sport Status is great, however not excellent. The massive sedan has a floaty experience down the freeway in Consolation mode, however much like the BMW M550i we examined final yr, it transmits smaller street imperfections again into the cabin and into its occupants. It’s an odd mixture of consolation with a facet of annoyance, and we marvel if the marginally stiffer springs or super-low-profile tires are in charge. Even with this caveat, the G80 is likely one of the better-riding luxurious sedans on the market, trailing costlier competitors just like the E-Class and Audi A6.
We are able to’t say sufficient good issues concerning the G80’s inside. The Sport trim provides a three-spoke steering wheel (means higher than the two-spoke), diamond-pattern weaving on the seats, and your selection of both aluminum, carbon fiber or aluminum/carbon fiber combo trim. Our check automobile had the carbon fiber paired with Sevilla Crimson leather-based, and it was drop-dead beautiful. There isn’t part of this inside that doesn’t measure as much as what’s popping out of Germany as of late, which is a critical accomplishment. We might say that assertion additionally consists of the tech, however in some ways, the Genesis infotainment and driver help expertise is superior. Specifically, the distinctive adaptive cruise management system dubbed Freeway Driving Help II makes freeway driving a breeze. It’s particularly good once you’ve cranked up the 21-speaker Lexicon audio system that is certain to make any music lover glad.
We are able to wax poetically concerning the exterior styling of this G80 Sport Status, too. All the modifications for the Sport mannequin give it an excellent grander presence than earlier than, and there are not any low-cost efficiency gimmicks to be discovered. It’s class, layered on extra class, then slathered on this lovely Makalu Grey Matte paint. For these wanting to face out additional, Genesis gives a Cavendish Crimson paint possibility (see above) that’s unique to the Sport trim. And if you end up questioning the wild, patterned wheels in these pictures, relaxation assured that they appear beautiful in particular person. This huge sedan has enormous design presence, extra so than most automobiles on the street at this time, and it would simply be the G80 Sport’s largest promoting level.
One other good purpose to go for a G80 Sport is its worth. The bottom Sport begins at $64,795, and the Sport Status (the one you need) at $71,095. Equip a Mercedes-Benz E 450 or BMW 540i — the G80 Sport Status’s pure competitors — with a near-identical degree of the G80’s normal tools, and also you’re taking a look at a worth north of $77,000. Are these German luxurious sedans value the additional coin? Should you care about at-the-limit dealing with and wish the perfect driving expertise potential, then maybe sure. In any other case, this G80 is a devilishly handsome various that we’d extremely advocate.
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