Genesis G70 joins entry-level luxury sedan race -- with a manual

NEW YORK -- The sporty Genesis G70 joins the entry-level luxury sedan segment this summer, complete with a manual option for driving purists.The G70, which makes its U.S. debut Wednesday during the New York auto show, will have three powertrain configurations in the U.S. market and five trim packages. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is available.The G70 powertrain menu has a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine available for the eight-speed automatic and six-speed manual variants. It also has a 365-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. Manual is offered only on the 2.0-liter option.The 2.0-liter RWD automatic version achieves 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The G70's sporty focus and manual offering could help the sedan break through in the segment while drawing some consumers back to sedans, said Brian Smith, COO of Hyundai Motor America. The G70 went on sale in South Korea last year."A lot of people love that sporty feel. The car is driving really well," Smith told Automotive News. "There always a pendulum. There are people who probably did move to an SUV a few years ago that go, 'I kind of miss the sporty feel of getting in a car and feeling the driving dynamics.'"The G70's interior features aluminum surfaces, quilted Nappa leather seats, stainless steel speaker grilles and stitched soft-touch surfaces.Every model comes with Genesis Connected Services, which provides telematics solutions including destination search powered by voice, car finder, roadside assistance and stolen vehicle recovery. The connected system can be used with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. Remote voice control, Genesis says, performs tasks such as remote door lock/unlock and remote start with a specified interior temperature. Genesis Connected Services can be accessed from the center stack controls, the rearview mirror, the Internet through the MyGenesisUSA.com website or via the smartphone app exclusive to Genesis owners, now also available on smartwatches.The G70 has three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled G70 maintenance. Under Service Valet, owners can have their vehicles picked up for service and delivered back to them. Courtesy loaner vehicles are offered."The G70's U.S. debut is a very important milestone for Genesis," said Manfred Fitzgerald, global head of Genesis, in a statement. "The G70 is all about the driver's experience. We look forward to how our youngest and most dynamic sedan will connect with our clientele through refined performance and athletic elegant design."

Genesis G70 joins entry-level luxury sedan race -- with a manual

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