The 2021 Genesis GV80 is the first SUV from Genesis.
“When you’re given a big challenge, the best thing to do is to start from a clean sheet of paper,” said Albert Biermann, President, Head of Research & Development Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “The development of an all-new platform set us up for great success, influencing everything from the expansive space of the interior to the striking design proportions.”
The Foundation is Everything – GV80
The GV80’s ability to span on- and off-road environments begins with the platform itself.
The chassis – codenamed M3 – allows for maximum design flexibility, wide stance and airy interior space. The GV80 is both lower and wider than many competitors. This gives the vehicle a stable stance and low center of gravity. It’s engineering also allows for a low seating position, giving occupants plenty of head room.
Classified as a Light Duty Truck (LDT), the GV80 was engineered for optimum crash safety and overall body stiffness. Structural components combine four types of steel and extensive use of aluminum. The team was also intent on weight savings for best performance and fuel efficiency. The use of aluminum results in significant weight savings. Replacing steel with aluminum in forming the doors, hood and tailgate resulted in a 116kg weight savings. Specific weight savings achieved as follows:
Doors: 25 kg less than steel (per door)
Hood: 9 kg less than steel
Tailgate: 7 kg less than steel
From Strength-to-Strength – G80
The G80’s rear-drive unibody structure has 6% greater tensile strength than that of the previous G80, due in part to increased use of high-strength steel and hot stamped parts ( 42% more hot stamped parts than previous.) They make up the A- and B-pillars, floor crossmembers as well as rocker panels and provide high strength through hot forming and quenching processes.
The roof crossmembers, transmission tunnel, front chassis extensions and parts of the rear structure are made of high-strength steel, while the cowl, floor panels and rear parcel shelf are comprised of high-strength steel. As a result of this material placement and optimization strategy, the G80’s M3 platform is 6% lighter than that of the previous G80 (25 kg less).
A newly added horizontal strut brace, die-cast aluminum front and rear shock towers, and a rear subframe, enhance rigidity and NVH characteristics. Organic geometry was used during the design iteration process to obtain the lightest and strongest possible structure.
As a result of the careful design and material choices, torsional rigidity of the new model surpasses the outgoing car by 3%. These and myriad other advancements imbue the 2021 G80 with the highest level of dynamic driving performance while maintaining the comfort, stability and safety expected of a Genesis.
