Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group.

The nation’s top-selling premium sedan brand Genesis released the all-new deluxe mid-size sedan, G80, in Korea on March 30. Hyundai Motor signed 22,000 sale contracts for the G3 G80 model on the first day of its release, equivalent to all the units of the previous model sold in the previous year.

Hyundai Motor aims to make it a splash in the Korean and global premium sedan markets. Hyundai Motor held an online event due to the spread of COVID-19 to release the all-new G80. G80 made its debut together with the launch of the luxury premium brand Genesis in 2015.

The latest event was broadcast to major areas of the world, including in Korea and North America, via social networks like YouTube, Naver TV and Facebook.

A view of the all-new G80, released by Hyundai Motor. (Photos: Hyundai Motor Group)

The all-new G80 has been reborn as a third-generation model seven years after its first inauguration. The G2 was launched in 2013. G80 made its debut together with the launch of the luxury premium brand Genesis in 2015. G80, the name of the model, is a combination of alphabet G, a symbol of Genesis, and 80, meaning a bigger size.

The G3 G80 is 35mm wider and 15mm lower in height than the previous model to stress a dynamic image. The latest G80 model shows off the Genesis design identity’s “Athletic Elegance.” The front’s Crest Grille, and the two lines of the Quadlamps circumventing all sides of the vehicle, have established themselves as Genesis’ signature design elements.

The side presents a long sweeping Parabolic Line from front to rear, flowing gently downwards, provoking the elegance of classic cars. The sharp athletic power lines of the front and rear fenders stressing the powerful stance of the 20-inch wheels.

The all-new G80 has realized an optimal profile for a rear-wheel drive, luxury sedan. Enough head room is available even if the roofline represents a coup-like shape.

The all-new G80 comes with three versions – a 2.5-liter gasoline turbo, a 3.5 gasoline turbo or a 2.2 diesel engine. The model has a maximum horsepower ranging from 210 for a 2.2 diesel engine to 380 for a 3.5 gasoline turbo.

The mileage of the G3 G80 ranges from 9.2 km per liter for a 3.5 gasoline turbo to 14.6 km per liter for a 2.2 diesel engine. Its design focuses on the lower car body and downward weight, allowing more spacious car room and ramping up driving safety, a company official said.

The all-new G80 boasts diverse state-of-the-art safety features like the multi-collision brake system and the proactive safety seat system.

The multi-collision brake system automatically stops a car when the driver loses control in a collision accident while the proactive safety seat system puts the passenger seat back to a right position to protect a person next to the driver in case of a front collision or sudden braking.

More than 22,000 sale contracts of the G3 G80 model are said to have been signed on the first day of its release, surpassing 22,284 units sold for the whole of last year.

Given the sales contracts, Hyundai Motor’s 2020 goal of selling 33,000 G3 G80 units can be attainable, business sources said. The latest G80 is to be released in North America in the second half of the year.

The all-new G80 is to take on global best-sellers like Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 5 series. The brand Genesis ranked first in the 2019 JD Power new car quality survey 2019 and the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, a company official said.

Now is a time when the all-new G80 will gain recognition in the global premium sedan market, he added.