Genesis Unveils the First-Ever Electrified GV70
At the swanky Rocky Mountaineer train station located right in False Creek, Genesis Richmond and Genesis Vancouver jointly unveiled the first-ever Electrified GV70 at the end of February. It’s the first time local customers and members of the public in the Lower Mainland got a chance to see the brand’s third EV, which is part of a broader plan to move toward an all-electric lineup by 2030.
Debuting in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2022, this so-called urban SUV follows the smaller GV60 crossover and the Electrified G80 midsize sedan. It’s projected to be the most popular of the trio due to its versatile size, but most people would be hard pressed to tell the vehicle apart from the nearly identical internal combustion version.
The exterior exhibits the same design motif seen across the portfolio, for example, the thin LED head and tail quad lamps, as well as the parabolic line, the crease running down the side of the body and ending at the rear fenders. A sloping coupe-like roof complements the attractive latter visual element. The bumpers remain a pleasant mix of sporty and subtle, with the rear featuring a slightly more smoothed-out look and deleted tailpipe cut-outs. Even the signature crest grille has been left intact, although it is now solid rather than mesh as there is no radiator feeding fresh air to an internal combustion engine. Popped open on the stunning Savile Silver display model was the cleverly hidden door built into the upper corner protecting the GV70’s charging port.
Drawing inspiration from the Korean art principle of the beauty of white space, the cabin blends a minimalist aesthetic with comfort and convenience. The shape of aircraft wings informs trim elements such as the slim air vents and chrome strip extending to the door panels. Nappa leather covers the seats, and the headliner is finished in microfibre suede. Two colour schemes are offered: Glacier White Two Tone and Obsidian Black Monotone.
As for the powertrain, dual 160-kilowatt electric motors, one mounted at each axle, jointly create all-wheel drive and a net 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Already impressive numbers, but a boost mode—activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel—bumps the horses to 483 for a temporary 10-second burst. To help conserve energy, the crossover can switch to two-wheel drive mode in light cruising conditions. The setup runs off an under-floor-mounted 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery providing approximately 455 kilometres of range on a single charge, which Genesis says takes as little as 18 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent thanks to an ultrafast onboard 800-volt electrical system (if plugged into a 350-kilowatt Level 3 station). Similar to the other two EVs, a pair of paddle shifters allows users to easily change the level of regenerative braking force.
In Canada, the only grade sold is the top-of-the-line Prestige AWD, retailing at an all-inclusive $84,150 MSRP, bundling electronically controlled suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, white brake calipers, and 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, eight-speaker premium stereo, and much more. Deliveries are expected to begin in the spring.
