Genesis Previews G70's New 3D Instrumentation
Everyone who spends the majority of their time obsessing about cars seems to low-key adore the Genesis G70. It’s handsome, comfortable, and apparently handles like a sports sedan should. The dealership will even sell it to you with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive if you can live without the 365-horsepower twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6. It also undercuts the starting price of its self-selected rival, the BMW 3 Series, by a full ten grand — softening the blow of any shortcomings it may possess.
However, there is one aspect that puts it a step behind its more-expensive competition. The G70 still uses analog instrumentation in conjunction with its digital interfaces. While this is a non-issue for many enthusiasts, as most electronic gauges simply mimic traditional clusters (and sometimes rather poorly), the general public expects premium autos to have the most-flashy tech available.
Genesis is remedying the situation in South Korea as read this. But, rather than than simply bringing the G70’s display up to the bar, it has decided to do a front flip over the status quo by offering what it claims is the world’s first 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster.
Before you ask, you do not need to wear a pair of special glasses to experience the magic of the third dimension. You only need to sit in the driver’s seat. Genesis says the system monitors the eyes of the vehicle’s operator and uses a stereoscopic screen to project 3D effects. It’s a gimmick, but one that ought to really excite your average Joseph. We’ve seen manufacturers experimenting with holograms on concept vehicles, sometimes allowing people to interface with them, but this is the first time we’ve heard about anything like this in a production vehicle.
The digital instrument cluster is said to offer a trio of unique 3D themes called modern, space and edge. It also changes the look of the standard G70’s display immensely, and changes it even further depending on what drive mode you’re in (one lets you customize dynamics and the imagery to your tastes). However, if you find optical illusions repellent, the vehicle will allow you to run the display in 2D mode and/or have it mimic traditional analog gauges.
Genesis is also updating the sedan’s infotainment system, adding a new parking brake with auto-hold, a fuel-saving eco-coast feature, and a new dynamic AWD system with limited-slip differential. Most of the big changes will be exclusive to the fanciest-trimmed G70s, but there’s nothing stopping the brand from trickling them down to more affordable models as optional extras.
Unfortunately, you’ll probably have to wait a while before you have the ability to purchase one. For now, this setup will only be available in South Korea — starting in 2019. But we’ve got a good feeling it’ll make their way to North America for subsequent model years.
[Images: Genesis]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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This car is going to be "ace of base" fodder for sure since by all accounts the base model will perhaps have the best overall experience because manual. Finding one, that may be an issue. BMW makes a 3 manual. Good luck getting a dealership to locate one for you.
I was wondering about this, and recently drove a CTS-V with Digital dash. After a while, I thought it was like the HUD displays some cars have. Interesting novelty, but I could easily live without it, and at the end of the day, it's a "not checking this one" n the options sheet.