The Genesis G80 is the latest model from Hyundai’s luxury brand to get the Sport treatment.
The more athletic-looking variant will arrive locally in the third quarter of 2021.
It features a range of exterior and interior design tweaks and, while the company won’t reveal technical details and pricing until closer to launch, Genesis has confirmed the G80 Sport will gain rear-wheel steering.
Externally, it’s distinguished from other G80 models through a unique front-end design that includes a more aggressive bumper, dark gloss chrome trim for the grille, and black bezels for the headlights.
The use of dark gloss chrome also extends to the side mouldings, while there’s a restyled bumper and diffuser down back.
It’s been revealed in a vivid new shade called Cavendish Red, similar to the Mauna Red available on the recently introduced GV70 Sport.
Genesis says the hue is inspired by the red cliffs of the north coast of Canada’s Prince Edward Island.
Like the GV70 Sport, the G80 Sport features unique alloy wheels with Genesis’ G-Matrix pattern, though these are 20-inch instead of 21-inch wheels.
Buyers will be able to choose between black and red brake calipers.
Inside, the controversial two-spoke steering wheel has been replaced with a sportier-looking, three-spoke item.
The G80 Sport has been previewed wearing a new Sevilla red interior with V-pattern quilting on its seats.
It’ll also offer the option of a monotone black interior with either grey or red stitching, while the seats will also be available with diamond quilting.
Instead of real wood like other G80 models, the G80 Sport will offer a choice of real aluminium or real carbon trim, plus a third option which Genesis says is a “diamond-patterned hybrid weaving pattern”.
While Genesis hasn’t confirmed what’ll power the G80 Sport, a safe bet is the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 of the G80 3.5T.
It produces 279kW of power and 530Nm of torque, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
Additional power and torque isn’t a foregone conclusion. The GV70 Sport is offered here only with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, but lesser trim levels are available in other markets with the same engine.
The previous generation of G80 offered a Sport variant in other markets with an exclusive twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 engine, however the presence of a more powerful twin-turbo 3.5-litre in the new G80 3.5T also appears to point towards a carryover powertrain for the G80 Sport.
We do expect mechanical tweaks, however, in the form of firmer suspension tuning and possibly a limited-slip differential like in the GV70 Sport and G70 3.3T Sport.
G80 2.2D 
Electrified G80
While the large luxury sedan segment isn’t a high-volume one, Genesis has been diligently fleshing out its recently redesigned G80’s model range.
It added a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder option for July 2021, while an all-electric model called the Electrified G80 will arrive in early 2022.
The introduction of a G80 Sport leaves only the GV80 SUV and flagship G90 sedan – the latter of which isn’t sold here – without a Sport variant.
