2018 Genesis G80 Sport Exterior, Engine, Interior, & Drive – Video
Genesis has begun the first retail deliveries of the new 2018 G80 3.3T Sport across the United States. The 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport delivers the ideal combination of dynamic refinement, performance and distinctly evocative sport styling that further enhances the refined road manner, premium materials and luxurious nature of the Genesis G80 luxury sports sedan—the brand’s best-selling vehicle. Like all Genesis models, the G80 Sport comes equipped with the most comprehensive array of standard safety technology in the midsize luxury vehicle class and includes advanced safety innovations such as Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning.
Engineered to offer the ideal combination of maximum performance and comfort, the 2018 Genesis G80 Sport will not only impress drivers with its responsive power production, but also with its luxury-class refinement and composed operation.
NEW LAMBDA II 3.3-LITER TWIN-TURBO V6 ENGINE
Beneath its distinctive sport exterior, the 2018 G80 Sport is powered by a vigorous 3.3-liter direct-injected twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 365 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque, the latter figure produced across a wide swath of the powerband from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm (with premium fuel). Featuring an aluminum block and heads, this new Lambda II 3.3-liter T-GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine was developed over the course of a rigorous testing regime focused on overall powertrain responsiveness and efficiency with exemplary durability and reliability. The G80 Sport confidently delivers superior drivability and dynamic performance beyond what one expects from the typical mid-luxury sedan.
To accomplish this, engineers utilized twin single-scroll turbochargers, an air-cooled intercooler as they concentrated on optimizing the engine and transmission synergy for increased low-end torque and reduced turbo lag. An integral turbo and exhaust manifold help to reduce weight while improving durability and exhaust performance. For enhanced powertrain efficiency, an electronic waste gate and thermostat are applied, which also help to improve vehicle responsiveness. Furthermore, an intermediated or middle position lock continuously-variable valve timing (CVVT) enhances intake operation range and operation speed to magnify engine efficiency and performance. This feature is a world’s first application on a V6 engine, and helps to reduce pumping loss.
Another unique V6 engine application in the Lambda II engine is the use of sodium-filled exhaust valves to boost performance and efficiency while offering structural reinforcement for improved durability. These lightweight valves feature a hollowed valve stem filled with sodium to improve heat dissipation, thereby lowering the internal chamber temperatures, which allows for more aggressive spark timing. This results in a cleaner and more efficient burning of the fuel within the cylinder, improving power production while simultaneously reducing exhaust emissions.
Beyond outright engine performance, Genesis engineers also made improvements to lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) within the powertrain. These include material enhancements and new components within the fuel pump, turbocharger and timing chain systems, along with a next-generation automatic transmission design.
The Genesis G80 Sport benefits from an advanced 2nd-generation 8-speed automatic transmission with driver-invoked SHIFTRONIC® manual gear selection via paddle shifters delivering world-class performance with a smooth rev-matching feature for sublime operation. This next-generation automatic transmission is specially tailored to maximize performance and improve fuel economy. New features include an enhanced torque converter lock-up strategy that allows the torque converter to lock up the clutch between gears two and eight for more spirited performance in aggressive driving situations. An overdrive lock-up torque converter allows for higher fuel economy at freeway speeds, while more optimal control of the torque converter during lock-up has led to improved vehicle acceleration performance. Other design improvements include an overall weight reduction of the transmission and better power transmission efficiency from the engine to the transmission (improved fuel efficiency), more direct control/operation of the solenoid valve body (smoother shifting) and a new integral transmission case design (reduced NVH). Shift-by-wire technology—which does away with any mechanical linkage between the gear selection and the transmission and operates effortlessly via electronic controls—is standard on every G80 Sport.