For those not paying attention, Genesis is no longer merely an affordable alternative to ‘traditional’ luxury brands. In just a few short years its stylish sedans and SUVs have won multiple industry awards, including MotorBiscuit’s SUV of the Year. But though it’s garnered significant praise, the Genesis G90 still falls slightly short of its rivals. That might change for 2023, though, when Genesis gives its biggest sedan some extra supercharged speed.  

The 2023 Genesis G90 Hybrid is a U.S.-bound 420-hp supercharged and turbocharged sedan

Currently, Genesis offers the G90 with either a 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 or a 420-hp naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8. But while the G90 is getting a redesign and a fresh new interior for 2023, it’s also losing its V8. Don’t worry, though, because Genesis is giving its largest sedan an equally-powerful replacement powertrain. And it’s far more unusual than ‘just’ a V8.

Like many brands, Genesis is pursuing electrification, both with pure EVs as well as more hybrids. For example, it’s making all-electric versions of the G80, GV70, and GV60. Meanwhile, the 2023 G90 is getting a hybrid version; specifically, one with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Or, even more specifically, a 48-volt mild-hybrid twin-turbo V6 with an electric supercharger.

No, that’s not a typo. The 2023 Genesis G90 Hybrid has a supercharged and twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist. And thanks to the electrical supercharger and electric motor, the engine makes 420 hp instead of 375 hp, Car and Driver reports. Also, it’s linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.

Although hybrids primarily focus on fuel efficiency, the supercharged 2023 Genesis G90 Hybrid’s goal appears to be performance. Car and Driver notes that the hybrid sedan has lower EPA ratings than the standard twin-turbo V6 model. However, with 20 mpg combined, it’s still slightly more efficient than the outgoing V8 car.

Why make a supercharged and turbocharged hybrid car?

On paper, it makes sense that Genesis is giving the G90 a mild-hybrid optional powertrain. Some of its luxury sedan rivals already offer the technology. The Mercedes S-Class even comes standard with a mild-hybrid assist. In addition, besides the minor fuel economy benefits, mild-hybrid assist improves around-town acceleration. That’s important for a luxury sedan.

OK, but why put an electric supercharger on an engine that’s already turbocharged? For one, low-speed performance. Unlike turbochargers, superchargers don’t use turbines to power their compressors. Instead, they’re usually driven directly by the crankshaft, so their power boosts are lag-free. And by putting both ‘chargers’ on one engine, drivers get the best of both worlds: low-rpm responsive grunt followed by high-rpm power.

But this isn’t just an ‘in theory’ benefit because Genesis isn’t the first to use such a setup. Often dubbed ‘twincharging,’ Lancia pioneered it in the Delta S4 Group B rally car. Plus, Volvo still uses it in some of its production models. So, don’t worry, this isn’t some crazy engineering project.

As for the electric part, it means the 2023 Genesis G90 Hybrid avoids the downside of supercharged engines: efficiency. Yes, the G90 Hybrid is less efficient than the standard model, but that’s mostly because of its higher curb weight, Car and Driver says. But it would be even more inefficient if its V6 directly drove the supercharger. By using the mild-hybrid electric motor to spool the compressor instead, the G90 Hybrid fills in the power/torque gap while its turbos spool without burning extra fuel.

And as with twincharging, this concept isn’t totally new. Mercedes-Benz’s EQ Boost works basically the same way, using a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to spool up superchargers. Furthermore, Mercedes now has electric turbochargers, as seen on the new AMG SL 43 and AMG C43.

In short, as crazy as a supercharged, twin-turbo hybrid Genesis sedan sounds, it’s really a very logical idea.

How much will the 2023 Genesis G90 Hybrid cost when it comes to the U.S.?

As of this writing, Genesis hasn’t revealed pricing details for the 2023 G90 Hybrid. But keep in mind that Genesis wasn’t originally going to bring this supercharged hybrid powertrain to the U.S. Initially, it was just for the overseas-market long-wheelbase G90; that model isn’t coming here, though, just its hybrid powertrain.

Regardless, Car and Driver estimates the hybrid V6 will likely cost “a few thousand dollars extra.” For context, the 2022 G90 3.3T AWD starts at $77,450 while the 5.0 AWD starts at $81,200. But we’ll likely know more closer to the 2023 G90’s late-2022 launch.

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