Affirmative an earlier report, Genesis confirmed that it is developing hybrid technology it plans to roll out across its entire lineup. The brand initially took a detour from petrol-electric powertrains to focus on electric vehicles, but it realised its target audience is more open to hybrid than electric.
Speak with Highest gearcompany manager Mike Song confirmed the movement on the sidelines of the Goodwood Festival of Speed“Five years ago, we expected the EV era to come very quickly, and we really wanted to be a leader and a disruptor in the EV space. Electrification is still our vision. We still have 100% electrified vehicles, but the market and the customers now want more hybrid than EV,” he noted.
His team’s goal is to bring hybrid models to market “as soon as possible.” He held back from revealing which nameplate will usher in the hybrid system; either way, it won’t be the last. Song told Highest gear that “as many models as possible” are offered with a hybrid option.
While not official, the aforementioned report sheds light on what could power the first hybrid Genesis. Development work reportedly begins in 2023, and the system is said to be built around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s likely not a plug-in system; it’s either a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup or a standard hybrid powertrain. It’s too early to say whether Genesis will ultimately offer multiple hybrid systems.
Genesis could launch its first hybrid in 2025, so likely as a 2026 model. If true, it means the Hyundai-owned company plans to exclusively electric cars from 2025 has changed. Nothing is official, but we wouldn’t be surprised: the declining demand for electric vehicles in key markets, including ours, is convinced several car manufacturers to return to previously announced plans to drive exclusively on electricity. Cadillac Remarkable allowed that petrol cars will continue to be sold alongside electric cars for a number of years after the promise to go fully electric by 2030.