The notion of a bread-and-butter automotive brand carving out a niche in the premium arena isn’t a new one. Toyota paved the way; its upmarket Lexus offshoot has gone from strength to strength since the 1989 debut of its maiden offering: the superbly polished LS400 sedan. Nissan and Honda have tried to do likewise – via their Infiniti and Acura marques – but haven’t enjoyed the same degree of success as Toyota/Lexus.
Hyundai watched this premium push unfold from the sidelines before tossing its hat into the ring via the 2015 launch of its standalone Genesis line-up. Initially focusing on sedans, the marque has now ventured into the booming SUV genre, rolling out the GV80 in late 2020, followed earlier this year by the GV70.
We reviewed the GV80 a few months ago and, on the whole, came away impressed. The good news is that the GV70 is an even better vehicle in almost every aspect. More compact than the former, the GV70 measures 4,715 millimetres long and 1,910mm wide, which puts it up against cars such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
The GV70 is offered with a choice of 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo power (priced from Dh199,900, and eking out 304hp and 421Nm) and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 model (priced from Dh280,000, and cranking out 380hp and 529Nm).
Even the entry-level GV70 isn’t a bargain-basement special, but you won’t be left wanting in terms of mod-con bells and whistles. A barrage of safety kit – including eight airbags, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist and plenty more – is standard across the range.
You also get dual LED headlamps, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, a virtual TFT instrument cluster, electrically adjustable seats, and front and rear parking sensors as part of the deal. In addition, the flagship 3.5T Royal Sport we tested comes equipped with goodies such as 21-inch alloys, diamond-quilted Nappa leather trim and an electronic limited-slip differential at no extra cost.
So much for the ingredients, but the question is whether the GV70 gels as an overall package. The short answer is yes, even though the newcomer is not without its shortcomings. The range-topping 3.5-litre twin-turbo motor is decently punchy, but it sounds distinctly coarse and thrashy when you give it the beans.
The eight-speed auto (operated via a rotary dial, rather than a conventional gear lever) is also not ideally calibrated, as it’s slow to kick down to a lower gear when you want a quick burst of acceleration. The solution is to either leave the car in sport mode or use the paddle shifters to ensure you’re in the right gear for the situation.
These niggles aside, the GV70 is a stylish and well-resolved luxury crossover. It’s quiet and composed at cruising speeds, the ride is compliant, and it doesn’t degenerate into a soggy understeering mess should you decide to hustle it through a corner or two. Ensconced within its leather-lined cabin, you are left with the impression that this is indeed a vehicle that belongs in the premium segment – as opposed to a flashy pretender that looks the business but lacks any genuine substance.
The GV70’s profile has a hint of Porsche Macan about it, but there’s no risk of it being mistaken for anything other than what it is, as its design language is bold and distinctive without being over the top. The cabin, too, is impeccably crafted, although, somewhat disappointingly, the Nappa leather has neither the aroma or feel you’d get in a rival offering from Mercedes/Audi/BMW/Jaguar. There’s also a touch of cost-cutting in the plastic used for some of the knobs, switchgear and trim elements.
All in all, the GV70 is a capable and credible debutant from Genesis. It is further evidence that the fledgling Korean marque is on the right track in its quest to pinch a chunk of premium segment sales from the German and Japanese heavyweights.
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 529Nm from 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh280,000 (as tested)
On sale: now
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SRI LANKS ODI SQUAD
Perera (capt), Mendis, Gunathilaka, de Silva, Nissanka, Shanaka, Bandara, Hasaranga, Udana, Dananjaya, Dickwella, Chameera, Mendis, Fernando, Sandakan, Karunaratne, Fernando, Fernando.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
Schedule for show courts
Centre Court - from 4pm UAE time
Johanna Konta (6) v Donna Vekic
Andy Murray (1) v Dustin Brown
Rafael Nadal (4) v Donald Young
Court 1 - from 4pm UAE time
Kei Nishikori (9) v Sergiy Stakhovsky
Qiang Wang v Venus Williams (10)
Beatriz Haddad Maia v Simona Halep (2)
Court 2 - from 2.30pm
Heather Watson v Anastasija Sevastova (18)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) v Simone Bolelli
Florian Mayer v Marin Cilic (7)
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')
Fulham 0
Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
