Big Korean SUV abandoning diesel power - report

Genesis will discontinue its inline-six turbo-diesel engine from the GV80, according to a report in Korean media.

The axing of the oil-burner will coincide with a facelift for the flagship SUV, which will also bring a new coupe SUV body style.

CarExpert understands the updated GV80 is due here in 2024, with both body styles to be offered.

The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six is used exclusively in the GV80, and it’s unclear if it has a future in any other Hyundai Motor Group products.

It produces 204kW of power and 588Nm of torque, with claimed combined cycle fuel economy of 8.8L/100km.

It’s positioned within the local line-up between the base 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol four (224kW/422Nm) and the 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 (279kW/530Nm).

Declining sales in the Korean market are to blame for the diesel’s reported discontinuation.

According to data from the Korea Automobile and Mobility Association, GV80 diesel sales have declined from 14,150 units in 2020 to 5719 in 2021, 4985 in 2022, and just 1360 in the first half of this year.

Given Genesis doesn’t offer hybrids, it appears the GV80 will be petrol-only until it’s replaced by an electric SUV. The company has previously confirmed it won’t introduce any new combustion-powered vehicles after 2025.

In addition to the GV80, Genesis also sells a diesel version of the GV70 in Australia, though this uses a smaller 2.2-litre four-cylinder mill.

The short-lived Genesis G80 diesel, which used the same four-cylinder engine, was sold here for only a few months during 2021. It’s no longer offered in Korea, either.

MORE: Everything Genesis GV80