Genesis G70
By Tim Saunders
Eldest daughter Harriett has just taken her Year 7 SATs. In her English she was required to know the meaning of personification. Quite timely really as I find myself behind the wheel of the Genesis G70 2.0T because the marketing literature refers to it as athletic.
It reminds me of the Maseratis and Alfa Romeos I have driven due to the cool air vents on the wings, the bonnet and the choice of fabrics inside like the luxurious suede effect material on the roof lining. Inside it’s luxurious and thought has been given to the textures. I like the diamond covered seats, sporty red seatbelts, metal on the doors and the pedals, all of which cleverly enhance that sporty appeal. There’s an electric sunroof and all round electric windows as well as air conditioning. I find the plastic lever for the parking brake a little on the flimsy side though. My wife would prefer that there were not controls on the side of her seat because Henry (7) in a bad tempered moment pushes it forward, which hurts Caroline.
While it might not have the ground vibrating roar of a Maserati, the hum of the exhaust is far from standard. It is fitted with an eight speed automatic, which unusually has a separate park button. There are accompanying paddleshifts. Finding the correct driving position is quick thanks to electric adjustment controls, even on the steering wheel. I have always been a fan of the sports saloon and many moons ago owned a Mazda Xedos 2-litre V6. It is fair to say that the Genesis is a far superior model, smoother, but I miss the manual gearbox.
Externally, the test model is finished in a sort of brushed matte metal grey, not dissimilar to a flask, my wife says. This is the first time I have driven a car with such a paint job. While it has been possible to get a car finished like this by a third party, it has only just become an option with manufacturers. A bit of research tells me that a different type of care is required than many of us might be used to. Forget traditional car polishes, which will ruin this finish. It’s one for the jet wash and a special type of foam. I like it and I like the fact that the design of the low-slung G70 reminds me very much of an Aston Martin helped by the strikingly similar emblem on the bonnet. Black alloys with red brake callipers and a rear end like a Mercedes C63 and you’ve got a car that has lifted the best bits from many manufacturers to create something of which to be proud.
Last year I drove a Jaguar XE Sport and was disappointed at how cramped the rear seats were. Although the G70 has a little more space in the rear, it’s not much different, which means when the family are in it I cannot have the driver’s seat as far back as I would like. This means that my arms are not straight when I’m driving, which is uncomfortable. It’s low to the ground meaning that it always feels as if it’s going faster than you actually are. While the cruise control is sophisticated, it’s annoying because for instance, approach parked cars by the road side and the brake is automatically applied. It’s not a smooth operation either. So I resort to only using cruise control on longer journeys.
On the motorway a BMW overtakes for the driver and passenger to take a closer look. I take it for a spin to Romsey and on exiting the M27 there’s a clear dual carriageway, which allows me to put my foot to the floor. It’s quick and it holds the road very well indeed, hugging the corners nicely, helped by that tight suspension. So, not only does it look the part but it has all been very well designed to play the part, too. Later as we crawl through 30mph zones, pedestrians stop and gaze. The G70 is a rarity on Britain’s roads and for this reason I like it.
Facts at a glance
