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Much like the famous old Virginia Slims advertising line from the 1960s, Genesis has come a long way since it first appeared as a model within Hyundai’s line-up nearly two decades ago. Today, the range spans nine models—if you count EV and internal-combustion versions of the same vehicle separately, which Genesis does—and covers everything from luxury saloons that rival the Mercedes S-Class to electric hot hatches.

Even with all that growth, however, the brand has never offered a proper hybrid. Genesis has experimented in this area before with ideas such as its E-SC powertrain, which uses a 48-volt electrical system to run a supercharger, and it has also pushed hard into EVs. But the Korean luxury carmaker has so far lacked a genuine hybrid system in which the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, or both can drive the vehicle. Given how strongly hybrids are selling these days, that has been a notable gap in the range—which is likely why the company is particularly pleased to confirm the upcoming arrival of the Genesis GV80 Hybrid.

Visually, it is largely identical to the standard—and undeniably handsome—GV80, apart from a few new exterior colour options, fresh wood trim choices inside, and a revised grille at the front. Beneath the bodywork, though, is a new parallel hybrid system that combines a starter-generator motor and a drive motor with the 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four already used in the entry-level models. Together, the setup delivers 347 horsepower and 391 pound-ft of torque, gains of 47 hp and 80 lb-ft over the regular turbo-four version. That also means it matches the GV80’s 3.5-litre V-6 for torque, while trailing it by just 28 horsepower. Genesis claims a 0-62-mile-per-hour time of 7.1 seconds, although, given that our colleagues at Car and Driver recorded the 300-hp version at 6.1 seconds from 0 to 60, that figure appears a touch conservative.

Genesis says the new hybrid system blends its electric and internal-combustion motors in a way intended to provide a smooth, linear “driving experience closer to that of an EV”. The company also says the latest GV80 is engineered to rely on battery power up to around 18 miles per hour. Overall, Genesis reports fuel-economy improvements of 25 percent or more in tests of a rear-wheel-drive version fitted with 19-inch wheels. Since the rear-wheel-drive 2.5T GV80 is rated at 22 miles per gallon combined in the United States, that would suggest the hybrid could raise that figure to roughly 27–28 mpg there.

And yes, the GV80 Hybrid will be heading to the United States, with a Genesis representative confirming that to Car and Driver. The vehicle itself is due to launch next month, at least in its home market. Buyers in America will have to wait a little longer for details such as pricing and launch timing.

*Yes, there really used to be cigarette advertisements. More or less everywhere.