The Genesis G70 feels just as comfortable on the Nurburgring as any other sports sedan.

      Jerry Perez

      The latest in car news and reviews, straightforward and no nonsense

      Our complimentary daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter straight to your inbox every weekday.

      Even as a lifelong car enthusiast and a full-time automotive journalist for more than ten years, I only managed to visit the Nurburgring this summer. A mix of not prioritizing the trip and not being in the right place at the right time when automakers extended invitations meant that while I often heard about the incredible experience, I remained somewhat doubtful.

      I made it a point to visit earlier this year, and during an extended work and personal stay in Europe this summer, I carved out a weekend for gearhead mecca. Although I likely chose the wrong dates, the experience was nothing short of astonishing. Over two days, I drove various cars, but before exploring the 13-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife on my own, I took a ride-along to familiarize myself with the track.

      While accompanying Genesis in France for its Hypercar launch at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I discovered that the Korean automaker offered a Ring Taxi service at the Ring. They graciously offered me a ride if I found myself in the area, so after coordinating details, I ended up in the passenger seat of a G70 sedan without a clear idea of what to expect. The downsides? It was a Saturday, and it was extremely crowded. Additionally, the ambient temperature was 102 degrees, with the tarmac hitting over 107.

      Would this lap be leisurely or full throttle? Who was the driver, and what were his qualifications? Was the car modified? Should I strike up a conversation with the driver or remain silent? I hardly had time to ponder those questions when the boom gate lifted and, without a word, my driver indicated that we were in a hurry.

      As soon as we entered the track at the Döttinger Höhe straight, we were hitting around 135 mph, and he showed no signs of slowing for the upcoming corners. It was only when we reached the tight turns near the official start-finish line that I realized how serious this guy was. He was an older, fit man with a white beard, resembling a character from one of those “Sexy Santa” Christmas cards. He wore yellow-tinted driving glasses, and his movements were remarkably precise and fluid. He definitely knew his stuff.

      We were in a Genesis G70 3.3 Sport Prestige RWD, powered by a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, with an optional variable exhaust. The car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 167 mph. Most crucial at that moment were the G70’s 13.8-inch ventilated Brembo brakes, which we were undoubtedly going to need.

      Out of nowhere, while cruising at a casual 150 mph through the Kotenborn section, he suddenly asked, “First time?” I replied, “Yes, I’ve only driven the track in video games before.” He chuckled and said, “In real life, you can’t hit reset,” and continued driving at full throttle.

      The car felt incredible, although not literally on fire. The extreme heat, coupled with the hot, dirty air from the surrounding traffic and the engine working hard, made the A/C struggle. I was also feeling the effects; while I didn’t nearly reach the point of nausea, I definitely wasn’t comfortable as I was tossed from side to side repeatedly. Fortunately, the thoughtful Genesis team had provided sick bags in each door pocket.

      When the lap finally concluded, I felt a mix of joy and disappointment. I could finally regain my composure, roll down the window, and let some fresh air in, only to find that the outside air was hot and humid. I discovered that my driver had been racing at the Nurburgring for about 15 years, including the annual 24-hour endurance race, and had completed thousands of laps. On a busy Saturday like that, when the Ring Taxi service is fully booked, he typically drives about 35 to 40 laps in one day. No wonder he knew every inch of that track!

      I’ve had the chance to ride with drivers like Max Verstappen, Tom Kristensen, Ben Collins (The Stig), Jordan Taylor, Timo Bernhard, and many others, and I would rank this experience among the most exhilarating—without a doubt.

      Here's the kicker: the nice little USB drive that Genesis provided with onboard footage of my lap ended up being faulty, and I realized this only once I returned home. So, regrettably, I don’t have that footage to share and illustrate my experience. I only have a couple of clips I shot on my iPhone, which you can view in the Instagram embeds above. Regardless, that’s fine, as