New Genesis G70 2021 detailed: BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival could spawn wagon body with new looks

The changes keep coming at Hyundai luxury brand Genesis in a busy 2020, with the company unveiling an updated look for its G70 sedan. 

The freshen up for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series rival comes in the wake of the new-generation G80 sedan and the brand’s first SUV, the GV80, as well as changes and expansion to its local dealerships.

The new-look G70 is due to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2021 and features the latest evolution of the brand’s ‘Athletic Elegance’ design language. The most notable changes are the bigger ‘crest grille’ as well as the ‘Quad Lamps’ look.

This update brings the G70 inline with the new G80 and GV80 in adopting the split headlight appearance that is becoming the brand’s signature styling element.

It’s a similar story at the rear, where the taillights are now split into four individual elements and the boot lid has been reprofiled and features ‘Genesis’ script badging.  

Inside the biggest new addition for the ‘21 model is a 10.2-inch multimedia screen that sits proudly atop of the dashboard. It also runs the latest version of Genesis’ user interface that incorporates over-the-air updates via wi-fi. It also features Valet mode as well as Apple CarPlay.

“The new Genesis G70 will engage customers with its dynamic design and the latest innovations in safety and luxury,” a Genesis spokesperson said. “We are thrilled to reveal more detailed specifications next month.”

Those next details are likely to be the confirmation that the engine line-up will be carried over for this facelifted model. That means the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, but as we reported recently the latter is set to get minor tweaks.

The 3.3T is set to get a 2kW bump to 274kW, thanks to a new exhaust system, but retain the same 510Nm of torque. The 2.0T will produce the same 182kW and 353Nm.

Earlier reports of a new 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine being added to the line-up to replace the 2.0T are believed to be unfounded.

What’s more likely is an expansion of the G70 range with a new Shooting Brake variant. A wagon bodied prototype has been spied testing in Europe in recent months and Genesis Australia has made no secret of its desire to add to its options locally - assuming it gets green-lit for production.

“Whilst we can confirm that a G70 Shooting Brake concept is being evaluated, no decision has been made yet as to whether it will go into production,” the spokesman said.

“Given G70 is already produced in right-hand drive a ‘Shooting Brake’ variant would be a viable and great addition to the G70 range in Australia, if it were to make it into production.”