2020 Genesis G80 Spied With Controversial New Family Look

The new Genesis design language is defined by a large, triangular main grille that's neither sporty nor elegant. The unit is flanked by two plain headlights with a sort of Volvo interpretation.

The general proportions of the G80 certainly aren't helping either. The triangular motif is carried over to the mirrors, while the roof curves with the rear glass towards the trunk. It's the opposite of what a sports sedan is meant to look like, and that's probably intentional. It appears the door handles sit much lower on this car than the present G80 model.

We've seen some of this stuff before, with the odd GV80 concept SUV. But what's puzzling is that the Genesis brand had two very well received designs already, the G80 Sport and the G70. They aren't best-sellers, but that has nothing to do with how they look.

Originality for the sake of originality is never a good thing, especially when Genesis needed to focus on a full crossover lineup, not more luxury sedans. Even the wayward Cadillac brand is racing ahead with 4x4 while deleting both the ATS and CTS.

Based on a brand new platform, the G80 will have fresh powertrains. These will include a V8, a revised version of the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 and a couple of four-cylinders. The Hyundai-Kia group is working on a 2.5-liter system that could be turbocharged to make around 250 to 300 HP. This would power both longitudinal platforms like this and regular cars. The G80 will also have at least one hybrid model, a pure EV that's expected to have 300 miles of range and, in some markets, a 200 HP diesel.