Genesis G70 review – performance and 0-60 time
While the power on paper is initially impressive, things are more disappointing in reality
As alluded to before, high-performance driving isn’t really what the G70 has been designed to do, instead taking a rather more laid-back approach. Unfortunately, this is evident in its straight-line speed, as while on paper the flagship 241bhp petrol model will hit 62mph in 6.1sec, in reality it doesn't feel anything like that quick. The 194bhp petrol takes an almost glacial 8.8sec in this same endeavour, the diesel 7.4sec.
What the figures don’t reflect is the amount of inertia that seems to weigh down the powertrain. Revs rise and fall extremely slowly, and there’s not much in the way of enthusiasm to the way the engine performs. True, most modern turbocharged four-cylinder units aren’t known for their ability to chase the red line, but BMW’s B48 is certainly more responsive at low-to-mid rpm and the latest mild hybrid-assisted Mercedes unit has that extra hit of electrically driven torque to bulk up its low-rpm range.
It makes the G70 feel like it’s always trying extremely hard to find the available performance that’s hidden somewhere in the powertrain. The transmission plays a subordinate role in this car, as while shifts are smooth and well calibrated to the engine as a whole, it’s not a standout transmission like the new nine-speed you’ll find in a Mercedes C-class, and lacks the ultimate zip of the ZF in a BMW.
