The Genesis G80 2.2D is dead just months after its launch.
Launched in July 2021, the turbo-diesel G80 – the first such G80 offered in Australia – has been discontinued as Genesis ends global production of the model.
It’s no longer available to order. Fewer than 10 examples were sold here.
Genesis is also reportedly ending production of the turbo-diesel G70 not offered here.
Diesels will, however, live on in Genesis’ GV70 and GV80 SUVs.
Rather than using the GV80’s turbo-diesel inline-six, the G80 2.2D used a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine like the GV70 mid-sized crossover.
It produced 154kW of power at 3800rpm and 442Nm of torque between 1750rpm and 2750rpm and, in a first for Genesis, features a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR).
The engine was Euro 5 emissions compliant and used a claimed 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
The G80 2.2D was available with the same level of equipment as the base petrol 2.5T, including the option of an extravagant $13,000 Luxury Package.
It was distinguished from its petrol counterpart visually via a different rear bumper with hidden exhaust outlets and chrome accents.
The introduction of the G80 2.2D came as somewhat of a surprise given turbo-diesels have largely disappeared from the large luxury sedan segment.
BMW offers just one, the 530d, while Audi now only offers a diesel A6 in the shape of the jacked-up allroad.
The Maserati Ghibli diesel was axed locally in 2019 and the Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel in 2020.
While the G80 range is down one member, it’ll gain two in 2022: a more aggressive-looking Sport variant, plus an all-electric model called the Electrified G80.
The latter will offer more than 500km of range on the more generous NEDC test cycle.
The Electrified G80 will come as standard with all-wheel drive, using a dual-motor electric drivetrain with 136kW/350Nm e-motors on each axle, making for system outputs of 272kW and 700Nm.
Genesis says the Electrified G80 can sprint from 0-100 in 4.9 seconds, while it’s also capable of charging using 350kW fast charging to replenish the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. It’ll also offer a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system to allow owners to charge appliances.
The Korean luxury brand is transitioning towards electric propulsion, and Genesis Australia will introduce three all-electric models in the first half of 2022.
This consists of the Electrified G80 and likely an electric version of the GV70, plus the GV60 based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated electric E-GMP platform.
Genesis is pursuing a dual electrification strategy, pledging to have an entirely battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell range by 2030.
The Korean luxury brand won’t introduce any new internal combustion engine-powered vehicles after 2025.
Genesis has sold 43 G80s year-to-date, overtaking the Jaguar XF (37) and Mercedes-Benz CLS (28). That still puts it well behind the three German stalwarts: the 5 Series, E Class and A6.
The brand hasn’t been helped by its limited retail network. Despite launching in Australia back in 2019, it has only just opened a Melbourne studio in July 2021 as it was beset with COVID-19-related delays.
By the end of 2021, it’ll also open three Test Drive Centres – more closely resembling conventional dealerships – in Brisbane, Perth and on the Gold Coast.
MORE: Everything Genesis G80
