Genesis Electrified GV70 debuts with dual motors and all-wheel drive

It has been a rather busy year for Genesis in terms of electric cars as Hyundai’s premium division has introduced no fewer than three models without combustion engines. Following in the footsteps of the Electrified G80 sedan and the GV60 crossover, the new Electrified GV70 is celebrating its world premiere today at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China.

Already confirmed to be sold in the United States, the zero-emissions crossover largely retains the design of its gasoline equivalent, with only small changes to the bumpers, a completely closed front grille with diamond shapes, and a charging port mounted behind the corporate Crest Grille. The swoopy interior is also a spitting image of the regular GV70, and that’s certainly a good thing since the cabin was already impressively posh.

Unlike the aforementioned GV60 and its bespoke E-GMP platform, the Electrified GV70 follows the same recipe used by Genesis for the Electrified G80 by keeping the platform of the gasoline-fueled model. It will only be sold with all-wheel drive, but the premium crossover will switch to two-wheel drive to save battery energy when the extra power of the second motor is not necessary.

Equipped with a Boost Mode, the pair of electric motors will churn a combined 483 hp (360 kW) and 700 Nm (360 kW), which will be enough for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 4.5 seconds. A first for a Genesis model, the Electrified GV70 gets a dedicated e-Terrain Mode that will adjust the vehicle’s setting to better tackle tough roads.

While the size of the battery remains a secret for the time being, we do know it lasts for over 500 kilometers (311 miles) per the CLTC testing cycle applied in China. In addition, fast charging at up to 350 kW is supported, meaning the state of charge can go from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes. The energy stored inside the battery can be put to good use to power a toaster or another appliance as the Electrified GV70 is the latest zero-emissions model to offer bidirectional charging at up to 3.6 kW.

The technical specifications released so far apply only to the Chinese version, but Genesis says the new electric crossover will be available in North America as well. We’ve heard through the grapevine the Electrified GV70, which is due to go on sale in 2022, will be assembled for the United States at Hyundai’s Alabama plant from early next year, but nothing is official at the moment of writing.

Source: Genesis