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The Drive
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Review: It'd Be Great If It Picked a Lane
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Pull up to the school drop-off line in the morning with a 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe and, unless you live in Beverly Hills, you'll feel like a star. Other parents will wonder what you do for a living, and onlookers will want a peek inside. It's a special-looking car. The Coupe takes the normal GV80's already handsome design, chops off some of its roof, and gives it a ducktail spoiler. The result is a look that should come with a quarter-million-dollar price tag and performance to back it up. Unfortunately, when you're the one behind the wheel and not peeping it from afar, its drive fails to live up to the lofty expectations set by its design. The GV80 Coupe is supposed to be the sportier, performance version of the stylish and luxurious GV80 SUV. In the normal GV80, you get a base turbocharged four-cylinder or an upgraded 3.5-liter V6. But that V6 is the standard engine in the Coupe, dropping the four-pot. Additionally, the Coupe can be had with a further upgraded engine: the same electrically supercharged V6 that's found in the G90 sedan. On paper, the 'E-Supercharged' GV80 Coupe is the one that should take on cars like the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, and Audi Q8. Sadly, though, I'm not so sure it can. Customers seem to like these SUV 'coupes.' To buyers, their slanty roofs and sportier styling must be worth the practicality trade-off, otherwise, they wouldn't sell so well. But they do, and every luxury brand has at least one in its lineup. That's why Genesis made one. I think Genesis may have bested the competition's looks, though. Aside from the Audi Q8 and maybe the Cayenne Coupe, few of these styling mashups look better than their standard counterparts. But I think the GV80 Coupe does. I don't love the wheels, they're just too messy, but the rest of the car looks great. And I love the new taillights, which sit nicely underneath the rear spoiler. Unsurprisingly, the GV80 Coupe's cabin is killer, too. It isn't much different inside than the standard GV80, save for the sportier-looking steering wheel and carbon fiber trim, but that's a good thing. Its interior is excellent, with comfy seats, mostly superb materials, and a design that feels different from the sea of German and Japanese SUVs. I can see this interior earning Genesis a bunch of sales on its own. The only interior downside is the lack of an optional third row, as the chopped roof eliminates any potential headroom behind the second row. But it's a sacrifice many customers are willing to pay for. That said, second-row passengers will be every bit as comfortable as they would be in the normal GV80. There's a lot to like about the GV80 Coupe from behind the wheel. I'm not sure how much of it is different from the regular GV80, but it's still a lovely thing to drive around. With 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, the GV80 Coupe is able to scoot from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. That isn't exactly stellar for the segment—the base six-cylinder BMW X6 only makes 375 hp but scoots to 60 mph in the same claimed time. However, when the Genesis lacks in raw straight-line speed, it makes up for with silken smoothness. There's a calm but powerful surge as you flex your right foot that feels effortlessly luxurious. It almost feels tidal. It doesn't pin you in your seat, but its gradual wave of torque is lovely to experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission mostly disappears into the background, swapping cogs unnoticed. It could be a touch quicker when shifting via paddles, but it's mostly good. There's a calmness to the way the big Genesis drives that's relaxing most of the time. It's whisper quiet at any speed, rock-solid stable on the highway, and it has strong, dependable-feeling brakes. The bones of a great performance SUV are there, and you can tell Genesis cares about its driver, but perhaps not as much as it should. The problem is that the GV80 Coupe 3.5T E-Supercharged should probably be a bit more exciting to drive, given its name and punchy powertrain. Genesis wants to brand this as a sporty version, but … it's just not that sporty. OK, so it isn't not sporty , either. The steering has some decent heft to it, and it's pretty dang quick. However, it lacks the front-end precision and immediacy you get from most of its rivals, like BMW, Acura, and Porsche. It's decent to hustle around, especially given its size, but it just isn't sharp enough to hang with the best in the segment. This lack of handling prowess would be forgiven if it meant a more buttery ride, but it doesn't. The GV80 Coupe suffers from the same slightly choppy ride that I experience and complain about in almost every Genesis. It handles large undulations beautifully, but the sharper, higher-frequency bumps aren't dealt with as well, undoubtedly exacerbated by its massive 22-inch wheels. So it can feel jittery over rough pavement, which is especially worrisome through corners, as it never feels as planted as something like the Audi Q8. The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe is a car that's so close to being truly special. It looks like a million bucks, has a stellar cabin, and its unique E-Supercharger V6 powertrain makes it an interesting alternative to the usual German suspects. There is a lot to like here, and I wouldn't blame anyone for buying one. Nico DeMattia Unfortunately, its soft, somewhat vague driving demeanor isn't excused by its choppy ride. If it were sumptuous and pillowy, I could forgive its lack of ultimate precision. Or, if it were at least as sharp as its competitors, I could forgive the ride. But I feel like Genesis needs to pick a lane here: either go for stylish comfort or sportier performance. But instead, the GV80 Coupe feels like a car that can't quite decide what it wants to be, and that indecision keeps it from true greatness. 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Specs 3.5T 3.5T e-Supercharged Base Price (as tested) $81,400 $87,200 ($88,630) Powertrain 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 | 8-speed automatic | all-wheel drive 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 48V e-Supercharger | 8-speed automatic | all-wheel drive Horsepower 375 @ 5,800 rpm 409 @ 5,800 rpm Torque 391 lb-ft @ 1,300-4,500 rpm 405 lb-ft @ 1,300-4,500 rpm Seating Capacity 5 << Cargo Volume 30.3 cubic feet behind second row | 62.1 cubic feet behind first row << Curb Weight 5,093 pounds 5,203 pounds Ground Clearance 8.1 inches << EPA Fuel Economy 16 mpg city | 22 highway | 19 combined 18 mpg city | 22 highway | 20 combined Score 7/10 A stylish SUV with an impressive powertrain and a stunning interior that doesn't drive as sportily or as comfortably as it could. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@ Nico DeMattia is a staff writer at The Drive. He started writing about cars on his own blog to express his opinions when no one else would publish them back in 2015, and eventually turned it into a full-time career.
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
King Charles orders £160k UK-made electric car sparking speculation he'll DITCH iconic state Bentley
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KING Charles has ordered a British-made £160,000 electric Lotus car. His move will spark speculation that he will ditch the state Bentleys if the company cannot provide plug-in versions. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 King Charles has ordered a British-made £160,000 electric Lotus car Credit: © David Dyson 2 Charles intends to use his Royal Claret Lotus Eletre as a personal runaround on one of his country estates Charles intends to use his top-spec Lotus Eletre — painted in traditional Royal Claret — as a personal runaround on one of his country estates. It is thought that using the colour, which adorns the Royal Family's official fleet of state cars, was the idea of the late Queen Mother. An insider said: 'The King has always liked eco-friendly vehicles but seems conscious that royal claret is the right look even when off-duty. 'It will look far more professional for the King's personal car to match the state vehicles. 'The Palace has hinted that if Bentley can't make limousines for official use run on electric, then they would look at other manufacturers. 'The fact Lotus can produce an electric SUV in royal claret really puts them in the driving seat. 'The Royal Family had a Lotus Eletre last year on loan and it clearly ticked some boxes.' The King — increasingly spotted at his homes at Balmoral, Sandringham, and Highgrove — has most recently been using a £100,000 eco-friendly Audi Q8. The 164mph Lotus is made in Hethel, Norfolk — just a few miles from Sandringham and its home since 1966. Lotus is 51 per cent owned by Chinese company Geely. The modern classic Lotus Elise In last summer's annual review Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said: 'The two existing state Bentleys will undergo refurbishment in the coming year to enable them to run on biofuel. "This is likely to be an interim measure as we begin discussions around the next generation of state vehicles being fully electrified.'
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Which luxury electric SUV should you buy in 2025?
These cars may be especially niche in the Australian market, but we've had luxury electric SUVs on the mind as of late. CarExpert last week picked up the keys to its specially built Porsche Macan EV long-term loan car (more on that soon), and we've had several relevant reviews go live, including those for the Cadillac Lyriq and Polestar 3. We've therefore decided to expand on that idea and ask the members of the CarExpert team which luxury electric SUV they'd buy, provided everyone had the money. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Audi Q8 e-tron Credit: CarExpert Genesis Electrified GV70 Credit: CarExpert Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Credit: CarExpert Polestar 4 Credit: CarExpert There's quite a variety of luxury electric SUVs on offer in Australia. Luxury electric SUVs currently on sale in Australia: Audi Q4 e-tron Audi Q6 e-tron Audi Q8 e-tron BMW iX1 BMW iX2 BMW iX3 Cadillac Lyriq Genesis Electrified GV70 Genesis GV60 Lexus UX Lexus RZ Lotus Eletre Maserati Grecale Folgore Mercedes-Benz G580 Mercedes-Benz EQA Mercedes-Benz EQB Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Polestar 3 Polestar 4 Porsche Macan Volvo EX40 Volvo EX30 Volvo EX90 Let us know which you'd pick in the comments below! This is a hard one! Supplied Credit: CarExpert On the one hand, I couldn't go past a Genesis GV70 as either an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle or an EV. It's my favourite luxury SUV in the segment, but it makes more sense as an ICE than an EV. With that in mind, the one non-supercar that impressed me the most last year was the Lotus Eletre, the most ridiculous super SUV I have driven in some time. Quicker than most V10 and V12 supercars and actually fun to drive. Most interestingly, though, it was the best in-car technology I – still – have ever seen. A videogame engine and graphics card run the best in-car tech stack currently on sale. And since Lotus Australia continues to drop the price, and you can definitely find yourself in one for well under 200k with some haggling, it starts to make more sense (kind of). The main issue with these expensive EV SUVs is the resale. Have a look at the bargains you can get on a two-year-old BMW iX (which is a terrific car) and just know that you want to make sure you get a hefty discount on purchase so you don't take a bath or six when it comes to sell. Interested in buying a Lotus Eletre? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lotus Eletre To be honest, I couldn't justify spending $80,000-plus on any EV, let alone a small European electric SUV that will depreciate even more quickly than a mainstream one. Supplied Credit: CarExpert But the question here is what constitutes a luxury brand. We don't deem Mini, Smart, Renault, Xpeng or Zeekr to be premium auto brands, but the latter is arguable and MG's upcoming IM brand will be even more so, regardless of price positioning. However, all of the brands I've listed above (bar IM) also offer a small electric SUV priced over $45k, the threshold defined by VFACTS as separating mainstream and premium vehicles. So if I had to choose one of them I'd go for the Mini Countryman E, which starts from under $65k. But if Tesla also qualifies as a luxury marque, then the larger Model Y delivers undeniable value and proven technology for less than $59k, making it almost certain to remain Australia's favourite EV in 2025. Interested in buying a Mini Countryman? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Mini Countryman I find that a lot of early luxury electric SUVs were experimental exercises, often severely compromised by their driving range and/or polarising designs that took a hit on general attractiveness as well as practicality. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Personally, I prefer my EVs to look and drive like a normal car, and that's why I think the new Volvo EX90 is my top pick. The XC90 was a trailblazer in the modern luxury SUV space, offering a premium cabin and drive experience, as well as seating for seven adults. Fast forward two decades later, and the EX90 adapts that formula to the electric age. It's comfortable, quiet, luxurious and has some presence about it. Both versions offer plenty of performance balanced with long range, and in typical Volvo fashion there's just about every safety feature you can think of. Interested in buying a Volvo EX90? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Volvo EX90 Among the smaller electric luxury SUVs on our market, my vote goes to the BMW iX1. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It's handsomely styled inside and out, the tech is slick, and it's comfortable to drive while having plenty of power and a chuckable feel to it. Moving up to the medium-to-large electric luxury SUV space, there are more options but a lot of them aren't exactly pretty – and if you're spending this much money, don't you want something that looks good? So that rules out the BMW iX for me, no matter how good it may be in other areas. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is nice and plush but to my eyes even uglier than the iX, while the Audi Q8 e-tron is genuinely handsome but it's pricey and on its way out. I can't comment on some other tempting EVs that I've not yet driven, such as the Volvo EX90, but I can comment on something more attractive than any of these: the Cadillac Lyriq. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It's missing some features and the attractive interior has some questionable materials in places, while Cadillac's retail network is tiny for now, but it undercuts key luxury rivals and has a stately look and driving feel. As somebody who has been keen to see Cadillac enter the Australian market for a long time, the Lyriq had the potential to be a massive letdown. Fortunately it's not, and while there are some areas for improvement it's an intriguing alternative to the Germans. There's some tempting metal coming down the line, not just from Cadillac (Optiq, Vistiq) and BMW (the Neue Klasse-based iX3) but also players like Genesis (GV90). So while EV sales growth isn't rising as sharply as it was, there's more and more variety each year. Bring it on. Interested in buying a BMW iX1 or Cadillac Lyriq? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here for the BMW, and here for the Cadillac MORE: Everything BMW iX1 • Cadillac Lyriq This isn't like asking what you want for dessert, but more which dentist would you like to visit. If you put a gun to my head and said I had to own something from this list, I'd buy the Porsche Macan. Supplied Credit: CarExpert I may be one of only a few buyers in the country, which would make me an authority on them, and I'd always be able to find it in the charging bay (also a colloquialism for 'Porsche dealer'). The iX BMWs have some great things going for them, but I'm not as convinced by Munich's dynamic delivery against those from Stuttgart. The Genesis looks a bit Porsche-like and would be a serious consideration here, and – while I haven't had new glasses for several years – the Lexus RZ appeals to me for offering a distinctive wrapping but a familiar flavour of dependability and quality engineering. Yet I can't pass by the (relatively) safe bet of the Macan, which brings a well-proportioned package inside and out, at least some level of street cred, drivability and a slightly higher chance of decent resale when I really do make up my mind… Interested in buying a Porsche Macan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Porsche Macan There's a decent variety of electric vehicles in this list, from compact city runabouts to full-size family SUVs. Supplied Credit: CarExpert But in choosing to prioritise all-round capability, I'm left with two standouts – the Polestar 3 and Audi Q6 e-tron. Both exist in a similar corner of the market, priced from around $120,000, and both make the most of their electric underpinnings. For the Polestar 3, that means clever cabin packaging, industry-leading driving range (706km claimed), and affordable running costs – the big three for growing families that like to get out and about. Supplied Credit: CarExpert On the other hand, the Q6 e-tron blends exterior style, plenty of powertrain substance, and an interior bursting with technology that's both flashy and functional. But if I was forced to choose between the two, I'd take the Polestar. In base Long Range Single Motor specification, it'll get you further on a charge than any other EV in market, and the second row is hilariously spacious. Sure it doesn't pack the punch of dual-motor alternatives, but it's enjoyable to drive regardless, and comfortable too. I'm not going to pretend any of the vehicles in this category are great value, but I can confidently say that the 3 and Q6 e-tron are at least fit for purpose. Interested in buying a Polestar 3 or Audi Q6 e-tron? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here for the Polestar, and here for the Audi MORE: Everything Polestar 3 • Audi Q6 e-tron I've only driven a handful of cars on this list, but those few span quite the price range and have given me a taste of the general ins and outs of a lot of these luxury brands. Supplied Credit: CarExpert With that in mind, I'd go for the Lexus UX300e. At as much as just $88,190 before on-roads, it could actually be considered cheap among the other cars that have appeared so far. It's a small SUV, which means it does better to manage its EV-induced weight than some of the larger alternatives, and avoids feeling unwieldy. The interior is well-presented and comfortable, and while there's plenty of tech, it's all still quite accessible. This is an advantage considering the painfully screen-dependent setups seen the further you climb up the price tree. To top it off, it's quiet and smooth. That's not to say it's perfect, because it does have some fairly significant flaws. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The UX platform wasn't built to be electric. While that means it's no more confronting inside than a hybrid UX, the limitations are evident in the 300e's front-wheel drive setup – and that's where the larger and pricier Lexus RZ would make more sense. It makes far too much power to only be front-wheel drive, and against its direct rivals it is quite expensive. After all, it's intended to be a rival to something like the Tesla Model Y or Hyundai Kona Electric rather than a Porsche Macan. I still enjoyed the UX300e during my time with it, and it had me thinking about whether I could stomach an electric Lexus for myself; 'maybe' was the conclusion I came to, though I'd prefer a sedan like the upcoming electric ES. A close second here was the sharp-looking Polestar 4, a much more modern EV that also has fairly compact dimensions. It's just a touch too screen-heavy for my liking. Interested in buying a Lexus UX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lexus UX
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Insanity... Suella Braverman hits out at new probe into officer who shot dead gangster Chris Kaba
Suella Braverman has called a gross misconduct hearing into a firearms officer cleared of murdering gangster Chris Kaba the 'definition of insanity'. The former home secretary criticised the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the watchdog last week said Sergeant Martyn Blake would face an inquiry over the death of Kaba in September 2022. In October an Old Bailey jury found Sgt Blake, 41, not guilty of murder after he had shot Kaba in the head as he tried to force his way out of a police vehicle stop in Streatham, south London. The gangster's car had been involved in a shooting the previous day and he was linked to a similar incident the week before. The jury had not been told of Kaba's criminality and violent past. Two of Sgt Blake's colleagues also gave evidence saying they were just 'milliseconds' away from firing at Kaba, 24, when he tried to use his powerful Audi Q8 to ram through the blockade. Dozens of Metropolitan Police marksmen downed tools in protest when Sgt Blake was charged with murder, which led to the Army being put on standby. Ms Braverman last night said the IOPC had thrown Sgt Blake 'under a bus' and warned the issue is causing officers to leave 'in droves'. Her sentiments were echoed by two former chief constables. Ms Braverman told The Mail on Sunday: 'The IOPC announcement is the definition of insanity and will mean fewer firearms officers on the streets. Sgt Martyn Blake has been cleared in a court of law and is effectively being tried twice. 'We should be supporting our brave police officers, not throwing them under a bus. It's no wonder police officers are leaving the force in droves.' She also urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to 'stop this witch hunt'. Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'I don't think [the IOPC] really understands the profound degree of trauma this guy has gone through for doing his job.' Mike Barton, the former chief constable of Durham Constabulary, added: 'There is a real irony that the officer who is at the centre of all this had milliseconds to make a decision, but everybody else who is trying to second guess what should have been done are taking years to do this.' Last week IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: 'We acknowledge the significant public interest in this case.'
The Independent
30-04-2025
- The Independent
Fury as armed officer who shot Chris Kaba to face disciplinary hearing
A police group has reacted with fury at the 'nonsensical' decision that the police marksman who shot Chris Kaba should face a disciplinary hearing and could be sacked. Metropolitan Police officer Martyn Blake, 41, shot the 24-year-old in Streatham, south-east London, in September 2022 after Mr Kaba tried to ram his way past police cars that had hemmed him in. He was cleared of murder over the shooting in October, but on Wednesday watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he will still have to face gross misconduct proceedings. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: 'This is a decision we have taken based on examining all the evidence, views of all parties and by applying the thresholds set out in legislation and guidance which govern our work. 'The legal test for deciding whether there is a case to answer is low – is there sufficient evidence upon which, on the balance of probabilities, a disciplinary panel could make a finding of misconduct. This has been met and therefore we need to follow the legal process. 'We appreciate that the Home Office is carrying out a review of the legal test for the use of force in misconduct cases, however, we must apply the law as it currently stands.' Metropolitan Police bosses had argued that the evidence against Mr Blake had been 'tested significantly' during the trial and that the IOPC should reconsider whether he should face a disciplinary hearing. Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation that represents rank and file officers in the force, said: 'This is frankly a nonsensical ruling by the IOPC that will shock police officers across London and indeed the country. ' Police officers should not have their livelihoods or liberty put at risk for performing what unequivocally, as has been found in a court of law, is their lawful and appropriate function. 'And yet putting this brave officer on trial for murder – as astonishing as that was – was not enough for the IOPC. Being cleared unanimously by a jury who heard all the evidence was not enough for the IOPC. They have now decided to put him and his family through more torment. 'This is not accountability. This is not in the public interest. This is not right or fair or just. 'We will be vigorously defending the actions of Sgt Blake at any conduct proceedings.' If the hearing finds he committed gross misconduct he could face the sack. On the night Mr Kaba died, police began following the Audi Q8 that he was driving because it had been used as a getaway car in a shooting in Brixton, south London, the night before. They did not know who was driving the car at the time, although it later emerged Mr Kaba was a core member of one of London's most dangerous street gangs and was accused of being involved in two shootings in the week before he died. Dozens of Metropolitan Police armed officers downed tools in outrage when Mr Blake was charged with murder and the army was put on standby to plug the gap. On Wednesday, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, using the cypher NX121 that was given to Mr Blake before a judge ruled he could be publicly named, said: 'NX121 made a split-second decision on what he believed was necessary to protect his colleagues and London and a jury unanimously decided that was an honestly held belief and the force used was reasonable. 'However, the IOPC has now determined that NX121 has a case to answer for his use of force and has directed us to hold a gross misconduct hearing. 'We know another lengthy process will fall heavily on the shoulders of NX121 and more widely our firearms officers, who continue to bravely and tirelessly police the streets of London every day to protect the public.' A chief officer from an outside force will be asked to chair the disciplinary hearing, which will be held in due course, the force said. In a statement issued through the charity Inquest, Mr Kaba's family welcomed the IOPC's decision. 'We hope this leads to him being removed from the Met Police,' they said. 'What Martyn Blake did was deeply wrong. We are still so devastated to have lost Chris – this should never have happened. 'The fact that the Met promoted Martyn Blake after the verdict only deepened our pain and showed a complete disregard for our loss. 'Martyn Blake should not be allowed to remain a police officer. He should lose his job.' Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, called it 'reprehensible' that the Met had to be directed to hold a disciplinary hearing. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the watchdog's decision. Writing on X, he said: 'We need to support police officers who do difficult things to protect the public, provided they act in accordance with the law, as a jury found this officer did. 'This has hung over Sergeant Blake for too long. I think the IOPC has got this wrong.'
