

2024.07.16 GENESIS
Genesis has launched a facelift model of its key lineup, the GV70. The new GV70 maintains the elegant and dynamic styling framework while refining the details to refresh its overall look. Additionally, Genesis has focused considerable effort on further improving the driving sensation elements of the GV70, which had consistently received praise from consumers even before the facelift. They have enhanced the stable and dynamic handling performance by leveraging the low center of gravity design and comfortable ride, befitting its title as a luxury mid-size SUV.
On the 12th, Genesis held the ‘Genesis GV70 Tech Talk’ to promote the enhanced product features of the GV70 facelift. The event aimed to introduce the differentiated driving sensation and product features of the GV70, which have undergone significant improvements in R&H (Ride & Handling) and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness). Attended by dozens of journalists and influencers, Genesis researchers who developed the driving stability and driving sensation technologies of the GV70 presented the core new technologies and key improvements in depth.
Senior research engineer Choi Jeong-hoon, who oversaw the overall product planning and development, summarized the key improvements of the facelifted GV70 model. According to Choi, the new GV70 enhances sophistication with meticulous design upgrades and strengthens Genesis' unique identity through the addition of advanced technologies.
For example, the exterior design, which had high consumer preference, has been refreshed with new details such as the MLA headlamps. The interior maintains the existing oval design theme while enhancing luxury with the application of a 27-inch integrated wide display and wraparound mood lamps. Additionally, by sharing high-end convenience features applied to higher-tier models like the GV80 and G80, the GV70 elevates the prestige of a luxury mid-size SUV while reflecting various consumer feedback in vehicle design, reaffirming the consumer-centric product development strategy.
After Choi’s briefing, senior research engineer Yoon Jin-hyuk, who was in charge of the overall R&H performance improvements of the facelifted GV70 model, began his presentation. One of the key components that improved ride comfort in the facelifted model is the new hydro bushing. Unlike conventional bushings that absorb shocks solely through the elasticity of rubber, hydro bushings use fluid flowing through an orifice inside the component to absorb shocks, providing superior shock reduction.
Yoon stated, “The facelifted GV70 model applies hydro bushings to the front tension arm and rear crossmember to reduce the driving vibrations felt by passengers.” As a result, the vibrations experienced during rough road driving were reduced by about 40% (in the rear seats), and residual vibrations after passing speed bumps were significantly reduced, improving the second-row ride comfort.
Additionally, Yoon mentioned that a variable gear ratio steering system was applied, and the springs and stabilizer bars constituting the suspension were refined to achieve more stable vehicle behavior. The suspension’s front and rear spring stiffness was re-adjusted to reduce the vehicle pitch (the rotation of a vehicle about the transverse axis) during driving, and the center of bounce (the center of vertical movement) was moved 15% further back, to make the movement more natural.
Cars do not only travel on smooth roads. Drivers often encounter road conditions that significantly impair ride comfort, such as speed bumps or potholes. Senior research engineer Kim Hyung-jin from the Vehicle Motion Control Development Team emphasized, “In such situations, the newly equipped ‘Preview Electronic Control Suspension (Preview ECS)’ completes the luxurious ride comfort of the facelifted GV70 model.”
This technology uses a front camera and navigation map information to pre-recognize road conditions and control the electronically adjustable suspension to provide optimal ride comfort. For instance, just before passing a speed bump, the damping force is adjusted to absorb the shock, and after passing, it is controlled again to minimize pitch motion. Senior research engineer Kim Hyung-jin added, “With the application of Preview ECS, the impact and pitch motion on the vehicle body when passing speed bumps were reduced, offering passengers a stable and luxurious ride comfort.”
Genesis has continuously improved the performance of the Preview ECS since its first application in the GV80, optimizing it according to vehicle types and models. The facelifted GV70 features a new body control technology called ‘HBC (Highway Body Motion Control)’ as part of this optimization.
For instance, when using Highway Driving Assist (HDA) on highways, abrupt acceleration or braking may occur due to the set following distance when the vehicle in front suddenly changes speed. HBC reduces the body movement in such situations, providing driving stability to the passengers.
Senior research engineer Kim Hyung-jin explained the operation of HBC by describing a scenario where a vehicle suddenly cuts in front. He added, “When the HDA-equipped vehicle suddenly brakes to maintain distance from the cutting-in vehicle, the Preview ECS detects this and controls the damping force of the front and rear wheels to reduce vertical movement and pitch motion.” This technology ensures a high level of ride comfort even in sudden situations.
Additionally, HBC enhances the driver's driving stability. The brief motion changes that occur when HDA operates can make passengers uneasy, and HBC precisely controls the vehicle's body to minimize these movements, ensuring the driver doesn't have to react sensitively. Internal evaluations by the Genesis development team showed that HBC significantly improved driving stability.
Following this, senior research engineer Wi Kyung-soo from the Vehicle Control Technology Development Team explained the auto terrain mode of the GV70 facelift model, which enables all-weather driving. The existing GV70 was equipped with a 'Terrain Mode' that allowed the driver to select the appropriate driving mode based on road conditions for optimal driving performance. With the facelift, GV70 integrates artificial intelligence technology to further enhance driving stability and driver convenience.
The auto terrain mode uses an artificial neural network-based AI to comprehensively analyze previously learned wheel drive speeds, longitudinal acceleration, engine RPM, and other data to assess road conditions. Based on the results, it distinguishes between normal roads, snow, mud, and sand, optimizing the AWD system, ESC, and e-LSD accordingly.
Moreover, Genesis combined the Downhill Brake Control (DBC) logic, which uses an accelerometer to assess the road slope during driving, to enhance driving stability on downhill roads. For example, if the road surface of a downhill section is determined to be muddy, the driving mode is automatically switched to 'Mud', and even if the road surface changes to normal during driving, the driving mode is maintained for safety. However, if the road slope changes within ±5% and downhill control is deemed unnecessary, Auto Terrain Mode is reactivated to switch back to normal driving mode.
Wi said, "Auto Terrain Mode is composed of highly advanced logic with a road condition recognition accuracy of up to 99%." He added, "The new GV70 can also distinguish between cobblestone and gravel roads, and we are researching to handle various road conditions encountered during actual driving. Additionally, by linking real-time data such as weather and outside temperature, we aim to provide even more stable driving performance."
And there is more to the evolution of the GV70 facelift model, focused on enhancing driving stability in all driving areas. Senior research engineer Hyun Min-jae from the Vehicle Motion Control Development Team, who took the next turn at the microphone, mentioned that the facelifted GV70 model includes a special body control logic technology called 'Crosswind Stability Control' to prevent the vehicle body from shaking due to crosswinds during high-speed driving.
Crosswind Stability Control is a technology that integrates the functions of individual wheel braking controlled by the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. The process is as follows: gyro sensors, accelerometers, and wheel speed sensors detect the vehicle's movements, assess the need for steering correction and individual wheel braking based on the level of crosswind, and then control the appropriate level of steering and braking based on the driver's response.
This function activates at speeds above 70 km/h when lateral forces of up to 0.3g are detected during straight-line driving. If it detects winds above 10 meters per second, which correspond to a storm warning, it automatically controls the vehicle body. Additionally, the function is limited during the activation of steering assistance controls such as Lane Following Assist (LFA) to prevent additional steering interventions.
Hyun said, "Applying Crosswind Stability Control technology can prevent the steering from being excessively manipulated by sudden crosswinds, significantly reducing vehicle wobble and greatly enhancing driving stability." He added, "In the future, we are considering using connectivity services to warn following vehicles of crosswind conditions or linking the system with electronically controlled suspension to improve ride comfort."
The final presentation was delivered by senior research engineer Kim Tae-hwan, who did the overall NVH development at the Genesis Noise and Vibration Test Team. He explained the NVH improvement directions of the GV70 facelift model, focusing on three main factors that contribute to noise and vibration felt by passengers:
"To achieve the perfect cabin quietness that a luxury mid-sized SUV should have, we focused on several aspects. First, to reduce road noise, the 'hollow sound-absorbing wheel' applied to the 21-inch wheels is designed with a hollow structure based on the Helmholtz principle, effectively reducing tire resonance that stimulates passengers. Additionally, dynamic dampers were added to the tailgate to suppress booming noise that occur during driving."
Kim continued to explain another method used to minimize road noise in the GV70: 'ANC-R (Active Noise Control-Road)'. ANC-R technology uses accelerometers and interior microphones to detect road noise entering the vehicle, and through algorithmic calculations, generates anti-phase sound waves to cancel the noise via the speakers. The GV70 effectively suppresses low-frequency road noise below 500Hz with ANC-R, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.
Reducing wind noise during driving is also crucial for a luxurious ride experience. The Genesis Noise and Vibration Test Team applied double-laminated acoustic glass to minimize wind noise. This glass has a soundproof film inserted between two layers of glass, maximizing noise-blocking effectiveness. Additionally, a triple weatherstrip design was used to seal the gaps between the body and door panels, enhancing sealing performance and minimizing noise intrusion.
Addressing high-frequency noise that can be irritating, Kim mentioned, "Most high-frequency noise entering the cabin is airborne noise. To enhance soundproofing in this range, it's essential to reinforce the body's transmission performance and increase or insulate the paths connecting the interior and exterior."
The GV70 facelift model expanded the center tunnel pad area under the floor to create a dual soundproofing structure and strengthened the bulkhead structure to block engine noise. Soundproofing materials were extensively added around the rear door openings to improve noise insulation from the body and undercarriage.
Genesis also took care of the details to provide a luxurious driving experience through NVH improvements. The new steering wheel not only has a new design but also increased weight and rigidity to reduce vibrations felt by the driver. Additionally, the size of the dynamic damper attached to the steering wheel was increased by over 50% to absorb more vibrations transmitted from the road.
Moreover, structural improvements were made to the 8-speed automatic transmission to reduce vibrations occurring during driving and gear shifts. The newly added 'CPA (Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber)' in the transmission counteracts torsional vibrations caused by the engine rotation, providing a quieter and more refined ride.
After each department's presentation, a free Q&A session was held. To provide more comprehensive answers to the anticipated questions about driving sensations, research engineer Choi Young-sang from the Genesis Comprehensive Test Team participated as a panelist. Media journalists and influencers attending the GV70 Tech Talk raised questions about the new technologies and driving sensations of the facelifted GV70.
The participants showed great interest in the technically improved aspects, including the AI-integrated Auto Terrain Mode. When asked about the differences and improvements compared to the existing Auto Terrain Mode, senior research engineer Wi Kyung-soo responded, "The Auto Terrain Mode in the facelifted GV70 has improved accuracy through continuous logic refinement, and the size of the logic has been reduced to one-third of its previous size, enhancing control unit integration."
Regarding the function's operation in ambiguous road conditions, senior research engineer Wi Kyung-soo explained, "While the AI can accurately determine road conditions, in unclear situations like light snow, the system prioritizes passenger safety by changing the road mode." He added, "We plan to further enhance driving stability in severe weather by using weather data."
The audience focused on Genesis' unique approach to driving sensations that differentiate it from other premium brands. Choi Young-sang started by saying, "The new GV70 offers differentiated satisfaction depending on the drive mode," and continued, "In Comfort Mode, it provides comfortable and stable handling, while in Sport Mode, it enhances dynamic driving sensations with Active Sound Design (ASD) and tuning of acceleration and shift feelings, delivering various values to customers."
Senior research engineer Yoon Jin-hyuk added, "We conduct extensive research to find Genesis' unique identity in driving sensations," and emphasized, "Genesis develops vehicles aiming for reliable ride comfort and immediate, trustworthy handling stability in all driving situations."
Following the Q&A session, attendees could explore the facelifted GV70 model displayed at the venue and freely converse with the Genesis development team, addressing their curiosity about the brand's driving sensations and new technologies. The Genesis GV70 Tech Talk, held before the media test drive starting on June 14, helped attendees understand the vehicle and learn about its improved specifications and new technologies. Through Q&A with the researchers and open discussions, attendees could indirectly experience the new values of the facelifted GV70 model.
The professional stories of the researchers, who dedicated significant time and effort to improving the GV70's driving stability and ride comfort, were filled with deep pride. Genesis will continue to focus on innovative changes that meet consumer needs and evolve to strengthen the brand identity, as demonstrated with the GV70 facelift model.
Photography by Choi Dae-il and Kim Bum-seok