The refreshed 2021 Genesis G70 will feature carryover engines but a longer list of safety features when it touches down in the first half of next year.
Genesis has yet to confirm local pricing and specifications for its updated BMW 3 Series rival.
It has, however, confirmed the base turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine will get a slight bump in power, from 179kW to 185kW or 187kW in Sport models. Torque is unchanged at 353Nm.
Also unchanged are the outputs for the twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6, producing 272kW of power and 510Nm of torque.
Both engines will get a new Sports+ drive mode, while the V6 gets a variable exhaust. All-wheel drive models sold overseas will get a drift mode, though we don’t expect the updated Australian range to add an all-wheel drive variant.
The 2021 G70 will be available with a choice of 14 exterior colours. Sedona Brown and Tasman Blue join the metallic paint range, while Verbier White, Melbourne Grey and Bond Silver make up the matte options.
The outgoing car’s blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert get upgraded to Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. That means these systems will apply the brakes if you continue to head towards the path of another vehicle after the system warns you.
Other safety enhancements include the introduction of lane-following assist, safe exit warning and rear occupant alert.
The 2020 G70 already features lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
The new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation, features a Genesis-exclusive user interface. It also supports over-the-air updates to the in-built satellite navigation.
The adaptive cruise control also draws speed limit information from the satellite navigation.
Genesis’ entry-level model has gotten off to a slow start, hobbled by a tiny retail network. The brand operates just one “studio” in Sydney and a showroom in Parramatta, and had to delay the opening of its Melbourne studio in large part due to COVID-19.
A Brisbane studio also has yet to open.
Though it may have few physical locations through which to sell it, the Korean luxury brand is about to get an infusion of new product. In addition to the refreshed G70, there’s an all-new G80 sedan and the brand’s first SUV, the GV80.
Its second, smaller SUV, the Audi Q5-rivalling GV70, is due next year.
