Genesis Motors has shown off a new flagship performance version of its facelifted 2024 Genesis G80 large sedan range exclusively for the Middle East, where just 20 examples of the wannabe BMW M5 rival will be available.
Dubbed the 2024 Genesis G80 Performance, very little is known about the limited-run hero sedan, other than the fact it’s very orange, dripping with carbon-fibre inside and out, wears a factory wide-body design and has thus far not been shown anywhere else.
The car featured as part of the Qatar launch of Genesis’ new ‘One of One’ high-end customisation program, alongside the GV80 Coupe concept car as seen at the New York motor show, Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision GT hypercar and myriad other one-off models.
Vision of the vehicle was actually posted to Instagram by 974exotics rather than Genesis’ official channels, following an unofficial Genesis X event walkaround.
Details of the G80 Performance are hard to come by at the moment, with Genesis Motors Australia only able to confirm the car’s limited production volume and Middle East market exclusivity, however, a series of mechanical upgrades were alluded to by the Korean luxury brand.
“The G80 Performance was designed by Genesis to serve as the ignition for the new facet of the Genesis brand,” said Hyundai’s premium brand.
“It’s the first limited edition that goes beyond CMF (Colour, Material, Finish) changes and focuses on the driving pleasure.
“While we are exploring opportunities to enhance our line-up and extend our offerings to other regions, at this time, there are no plans for its release beyond its availability as a limited series in the Middle East.”
Without delving into specifics, Genesis also referenced a number of partners “known for their competencies in increasing the performance capabilities of cars”, most of which we expect to revolve around the chassis set-up and rolling stock.
Given its obviously more aggressive demeanour, it’s unlikely the Performance features the standard G80’s 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 (279kW/530Nm) and instead packs the enhanced 305kW/549Nm version as seen in the new GV80 Coupe, with the extra power and torque coming courtesy of a 48V electric supercharger.
Outputs like that make the Performance more of a Mercedes-AMG E 53 competitor rather than an all-out E 63 S or M5 Competition rival, but should still yield a sub-5.0sec 0-100km/h time.
The hypothetical extra firepower justifies the intense new exterior and interior designs, which are headlined by gaping intakes, the previously mentioned carbon bits, fixed-back carbon Recaro bucket seats front and rear, 21-inch alloys, unique front and rear aprons and lurid Lava Orange paint job.
A brand-name exhaust system can also be seen exiting the carbon rear diffuser, though we can’t see the exact name etched into the outlets.
The unique aesthetic is matched with a lowered ride height, which suggests the G80’s traditionally soft springs and dampers have been swapped out for a more focused set-up – possibly from Bilstein, Sachs, Eibach etc – not to mention stiffer anti-rollbars and revised controls arms, etc.
Odds are the exclusive black hoops are shod with high-performance Michelin or Pirelli rubber, while the brakes also look to have been enlarged and likely feature Brembo callipers.
Given Australia’s (and Europe’s) love of large performance cars, there’s a reasonable chance the G80 Performance will be followed by some sort of full-time production equivalent for western markets, but neither Genesis nor our own sources could shed light on the possibility.
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