Genesis to tackle electric, plug-in hybrid BMW, Benz SUVs with new range-extender
The Korean luxury marque is set to launch an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of its
GV70
, which
Korean Car Blog
reports will debut in December 2026.
It'll reportedly use a modified version of the E-GMP platform underpinning dedicated electric vehicles (EVs) within the Hyundai Motor Group such as the
Genesis GV60
and
Kia EV9
.
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.
EREV technology has become increasingly popular in China, employed by auto brands like Deepal and Leapmotor, but hasn't been employed by many brands outside of that market.
Like plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), EREVs typically feature a battery much larger than a traditional hybrid but usually smaller than a traditional EV's.
A petrol engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery when needed, though you can still charge an EREV as you would a PHEV or EV. Unlike a PHEV, however, an EREV's combustion engine doesn't directly drive the wheels.
Hyundai Motor Group's upcoming EREVs – set to
also include an SUV for the Hyundai brand
– will offer a claimed combined range of over 900km when fully charged, while offering an 'EV-like driving experience'.
A previous Korean Car Blog report said the GV70 EREV would use a 40kWh battery pack and offer more than 200km of electric range.
Genesis
announced last year
that it would roll out what it referred to as hybrid vehicles, despite previously indicating it would skip past these powertrain types to pure electric vehicles ahead of a targeted EV-only date of 2030.
'Five years back we anticipated that the EV era would arrive very quickly, and we really wanted to be a leader and a disruptor in the EV space,' said Genesis global boss Mike Song.
'Electrification is still our vision. We will have 100 per cent electrified vehicles, but the market and the customers now want hybrid more than EV, so we really want to bring Genesis hybrid into the market as soon as possible.
'We will apply it to as many models as possible.'
In addition to EREVs, Genesis is also reportedly rolling out a more traditional hybrid powertrain – its new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder system – to the
G80
and
GV80
.
Genesis Australia has confirmed it wants to offer hybrid models to the local lineup as soon as they're available.
Globally, Genesis has never offered hybrids, PHEVs or EREVs, but it offers a range of EVs.
These include the GV60, which employs the dedicated E-GMP platform, but also the Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80, which are based on combustion-powered vehicles.
The Electrified GV70 battles the likes of the
Audi Q6 e-tron
,
BMW iX3
and
Lexus RZ
, while the upcoming EREV version will have no direct competitors in the Australian market – though there are mid-size luxury PHEV SUVs like the
Audi Q5
and
Lexus NX
.
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