Genesis G90 – luxury from South Korea to Europe

The Hyundai Group has more experience with luxury cars than most people think. But the segment is officially coming to Germany for the first time with Genesis G90. Unfortunately, the eight-cylinder has already been discontinued. That is why there is an additional part of the length of the car.

It’s always called the price performance ratio – how about the price length ratio instead? Genesis offers 5.47 meters for 125,000 euros. Mercedes would like to see at least 182,000 euros for limousines of this size. For the Rolls-Royce Ghost (which is a little longer at 5.55 meters) you have to allocate more than 300,000 euros.

But what does the height of the car say? Quite a lot. Anyone looking at the long-wheelbase version of the G90 will quickly notice that it looks very attractive. The limousine, which looks very stretched with a wheelbase of 3.37 meters, shows its mission, which is to provide as much comfort as possible for traveling in the back. And that’s why Genesis showed up at the airport with several cars during the presentations to gather the journalists. You were asked to please get in the back and you would get the steering wheel later, they said.

And yes, what Korean has to offer is very interesting. You have to stretch to touch the front seat back with your hand. Crossing your legs is not a difficult exercise here either. But the fun only begins when you discover all the buttons in the back – a paradise for children, too, as they usually travel in the back. Heated seats? Well, old hat. Of course, the nice, comfortable leather seats are also electrically adjustable. And then there is also the work of massage. With two screens that you can happily touch and then be entertained. Not to mention the electric blinds for the side windows. Genesis has clearly studied the luxury competition closely.

Hyundai Group has experience in the luxury class

Of course, the Hyundai Group already has experience with luxury cars. Back in 2006, the Koreans, who were sponsors at the time, imported several dozen Hyundai Centennials to Germany for the World Cup. At that time, the Hyundai Group did not yet have its own brand for the highest-end car category. At a time when job cuts and stricter EU regulations were not yet widespread, those involved naturally insisted on a suitable eight-cylinder engine. The beginning of the G90 would really be suitable, but the company has cut the so-called Tau V8, which has a volume of up to five liters and produces around 400 hp, and which was used in the first generation of the G90. Now a 3.5-liter six-cylinder with direct injection and supercharging is used, which should drink about ten liters of the first gasoline per 100 kilometers.

So that there is no misunderstanding: This engine is not bad and at 415 hp it is anything but weak. And also technically quite interesting. It uses a 48-volt system and therefore has an electric compressor motor. In fact, the six-wheel drive, which is also poor in terms of performance, is not as powerful as the supercharged V8 engines still available from Jaguar today. This does not bother you in any way, it is that under load the engine becomes more powerful than a smooth running eight-cylinder engine.

But that’s the spirit of the times, and even BMW has canceled the V8 for the seven-series (but only in Europe). However, the Munich-based company has two electric models to its credit. Genesis product manager Dominik Kling doesn’t want to reveal if this will be available for the G90 at the moment. That would be possible, after all, the G80 is also available as an electric-only version.

At the wheel of a chauffeur-driven limousine

It’s time for me to take the top model with air suspension. So jump from back to front behind the wheel. To really evaluate the car and its handling, you should set the speed yourself. It’s a special time now to launch the G90 here in Europe – because for the first time there is a Korean luxury class in our region.

Korean how do you respond to the accelerator, how do you go around the corner? In any case, the goal is a comfortable ride. However, the longest-running vehicle doesn’t look light despite its 2.5-tonne unladen weight, which isn’t noticeable. This may be due to normal rear axle steering. And maybe because Genesis once again basically tuned its model up for Europe. Speaking of all-wheel steering: It takes the fear out of the flagship when it comes to steering it through narrow and winding streets. At 11.9 meters, the turning circle is just above the value of the compact class. If desired, the four-door model, which is equipped with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, can also be an athlete, rushing to 100 km / h in 5.4 seconds. But quiet movement suits him better.

And what about infotainment? Logical – everything is there from the digital instruments to the head-up display to the touchscreen (even the back). The Korean also tries his best to satisfy the playful instincts of adults. The so-called “Mood Curator” is copied from Mercedes’ powerful software: Depending on the setting, the G90 emits a scent and a corresponding music program to create different moods on board, from relaxing to revitalizing.

Anyone deciding on an exotic limousine in this country will not be spoiled for choice. There are no special features, only a version with a “normal” wheel (115,000 euros). In this case, however, it is impressive 3.18 meters. Then the G90 is “only” 5.28 meters long – so not really ideal for narrow parking garages.

The bottom line is that the Korean is fine with the competition. However, the long version is more fun, also because there is no direct competition here, at least not in this price league. With it, Genesis is already poaching in the luxury line of Bentley, Maybach and Co.

The engine just seems a little lean. Here Genesis should soon offer a powerful electric car; after all, the V8 has become unreal in these times. Genesis is said to have already sold eleven G90s in this country. This means that you are likely to enjoy a Korean luxury car more unique than that of the brands involved. Except that they are better known. But who knows, maybe that will change.