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Genesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration Test

We bet only of few of you are aware that the 2021 Genesis GV80 is available with a brand new 3.0D engine. That's right, a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, and it's got the sweet inline-6 layout, like a BMW.
Genesis GV80 With 3.0-Liter Diesel Inline-6 Subjected to Acceleration Test 6 photos
Photo: PDriveTV/YouTube screenshot
Genesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration TestGenesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration TestGenesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration TestGenesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration TestGenesis GV80 SUV With New 3.0-Liter Diesel Engine Subjected to Acceleration Test
Diesel engines make a lot of sense in large SUVs, true off-roaders like the G-Class or Toyota Land Cruiser. They offer lots of low-end torque and fuel efficiency can't hurt while towing either. They used to be supremely popular in European versions of everything from the BMW X5 to the little Nissan Juke. And diesel SUVs almost became a thing with the Mazda CX-5.

However, the crackdown on dirty oil burners started in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal, and manufacturers are now switching to plug-in hybrids, particularly in the premium segment. These align themselves with tax incentives or access benefits from European countries, so our first contact with the GV80 3.0D comes from Australia of all places.

There, the model is available from AU$103,500, equivalent to about $77,400. By comparison, the American 3.5T AWD Advanced+ is only $65,550, but diesel engines are usually a little more expensive.

In terms of output, the diesel inline-6 is rated at 273 hp (277 PS) and 434 lb-ft (588 Nm) of torque. That's comparable to European rivals like the VW Touareg 3.0 TDI, the similarly powered Audi Q7/Q8 or the BMW X5 xDrive30d, just to name a few. The Genesis uses a proprietary 8-speed auto that sends power to all four wheels and is supposed to get you from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds.

Is it really that fast? That's what we're here to find out, with the help of this independent test from PDriveTV. Before the racing begins, we hear that the GV80 has a slab-like design that's reminiscent of a Bentley. And for the record, the Bentayga also a diesel engine, the 4.0 TDI that got discontinued in 2020.

Despite being fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, the GV80 3.0D only managed 62 mph in 6.95 seconds and a quarter-mile time of about 15 seconds. It doesn't sound as good as the 3.5L V6 either. Still, the engine is smooth and supposedly delivers about 26 mpg combined (8.8 l/100km).

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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