Genesis boss defends sustainability stance

Instead, the range is now powered exclusively by Genesis G6D3-series twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine – a Euro 5 accredited unit – without a trace of electrified assistance to be seen despite a 48-volt electric supercharger being offered overseas. 

While the South Korean importer offers battery electric vehicles (BEV) elsewhere in its range, it seems the portfolio’s combustion powertrain offerings are somewhat hit-and-miss in fuel-efficiency terms when compared to the premium car brands it seeks to challenge. 

Speaking with GoAuto at the local launch of the facelifted Genesis GV80 and GV80 Coupe in Melbourne last week, incumbent Genesis Australia head Justin Douglass said that despite the mismatch of current technologies available locally, the brand is making strides on the sustainability front on the global stage. 

“I think it is fair to say that the brand has made statements around being a zero emissions brand by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2045,” he detailed without referencing the GV80 specifically. 

But the point is one well highlighted by the ranking of Genesis parent company Hyundai Motor Group in global environmental indexing. 

According to overall rankings data published by independent analytics agency Lead the Charge, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) ranks tenth against its peers on issues including total BEV sales, sustainability, and responsible materials sourcing. 

Lead the Charge data tabled to the end of the first quarter of 2024 – and referenced against the same timeframe a year prior – shows HMG with an overall sustainability index of 15 per cent, a fossil free and environment score of 12 per cent, and a human rights and responsible resourcing score of 18 per cent. 

The data further indicates that HMG electric vehicle sales account for just eight per cent of its total global output in the year ending March 31, though with an upward improvement score of 11 per cent, it is improving at a rate far better than any other manufacturer listed in the chart’s top 10 (see full breakdown below). 

“2045 is where we’re aiming, and that’s in line with other major brands,” added Hyundai Motor Group Australia public relations manager Bill Thomas. 

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to beat that target, but it is not an easy thing to do; the range of vehicle and future model launches speak for themselves in terms of emissions.” 

While Mr Thomas stated that the removal of the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel was a move made to help the GV80 range meet tightening emissions regulations, it is noted that the twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol is not the cleanest alternative. 

The unit offers a combined cycle fuel consumption average of only 11.7 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 273 grams per kilometre, numbers closer to Mercedes-Benz’s now defunct V8-powered GLE 63 S 4Matic (12.4L/100km and 282g/km) than any comparable premium brand’s six- or four-cylinder large segment SUV. 

Further, and despite its availability in other markets, Genesis did not take the 48-volt supercharged version of the GV80 Coupe debuted last November – an engine that despite its its electrified technology is still relatively thirsty due to using the 48V tech for primarily performance purposes. 

It features what Genesis refers to as a 48-volt electric supercharger system that works with the twin turbochargers to deliver “a robust 490hp (305kW)” and combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.1 litres per 100km. 

It is offered alongside the 375hp (280kW) twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol and the 300hp (245kW) turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with their respective fuel consumption figures of 7.8L/100km and 8.2L/100km. 

As for the lack of transparency on material sourcing and recycled material content within Genesis vehicles – especially when compared with the likes of premium brands like Audi and BMW – Mr Thomas said the auditing and tracking of such content is something that is included in the group’s Annual Report on Sustainability (a report he has offered to make available to GoAuto). 

“We have a roadmap, and we’re trying to accelerate it. Obviously, most of our emissions come from our vehicles – that’s 95 per cent of our emissions – so what we’re trying to do it to transfer our fleet to ZEVs (zero emissions vehicles) and hybrids as quickly as we can,” he said. 

“We are a huge global company spinning out a lot of products that consume large amounts of plastic, metal, and rubber. So, when you talk about zero emissions, it’s really zero tailpipe emissions because we’re obviously emitting all the way through the process.” 

GoAuto will report back on its findings from the HMG Annual Report on Sustainability once it is received. 

Lead the Charge annual OEM scorecard (March 2024):