FINALLY, the penny is starting to drop about the questionable safety of touchscreen tech in cars.
The problem, I fear, is that modern cars are being designed by teenage tech-nerds in their bedrooms who aren’t old enough to possess a licence let alone drive a car on today’s demanding roads.
I’ve been dicing with death for years, since early adopters fitted a computer mouse and I was so busy twiddling it to demist my windscreen that I’d failed to notice the traffic had stopped. Only a rapid moose test evasive manoeuvre saved me from disaster. My fault? Not really.
Thankfully, those crash test wizards Euro NCAP have called the industry out on the sanity of fitting an iPad to the dashboard when our other digital devices are rightly banned.
I watched an NCAP representative explain to the BBC that touchscreens can divert our attention from looking through the windscreen for anything from five seconds to 40. At 50mph, in 40 seconds we will have travelled the length of a football pitch without looking forward – absolutely terrifying – which explains why we have so many accidents when our cars have ‘never been safer’.
Genesis must be of the same view because the latest G70 is somehow decidedly retro while being uber-contemporary at the same time. Quite a feat.
The interior of this glorious saloon features clocks, buttons and dials, like quality motors of yesteryear, but somehow installed into a contemporary setting. It doesn’t feel old fashioned in any sense because the interior is just plain lovely, plush and exceedingly high quality.
This means the driver soon remembers where the switches are, they are stored safely in your subconscious and you don’t have to go consciously looking for them as you do with touchscreens, wildly flailing with your weakest hand and fingers with the least dexterity.
How easy is this? Under the central vents in the G70 is a string of buttons each carrying the name of the function. So there’s map, nav, radio, media. Under that are two chunky knobs, two for the temperature controls, one for the fan.
In the centre of these roundels is sync, recirculate and the mode to move the airflow about. Either side of the knobs are more switches for heated and cooled seats, rear and front screen demists and the AC. So obvious, so intuitive, so safe.
There are more useful clusters on the steering wheel and the clocks are conventional and clear. There is still a touchscreen but it doesn’t dominate your life – I love it.
Comfort levels are good too with multi-way adjustable electrically operated seats and an opulent spacious cabin. It’s an exquisite cabin in which you can reside for hours on end, which is just as well for that is what I do.
I’m also a massive fan of the Genesis aesthetic. G70 must be one of the best looking cars on the road. It is just so sleek and curvaceous, with glorious proportions, attractive double-decker lights and a strong, bold grille. People stand and gawp, then scratch their heads as they aren’t sure what they are looking at.
Then there’s the drive. The 2.0 litre petrol motor packs a turbocharger and 245PS offering genuinely strong performance. It is swift in all the key areas – off the mark, in the mid-range for overtaking and at the top end. Take it easy and you can return 32 miles per gallon which is respectable enough.
Suspension is firm and definitely on the sporty side but it is never uncomfortable or unforgiving. This combination makes it a very safe and secure car to drive on the twisty stuff, not to mention a whole lot of fun.
G70 is another stunning model from Genesis which is accomplished in every way and that includes ease of use and therefore safety. It is leading the way back to a safer brand of motoring.
Fact File
Genesis G70
Engine: 2.0 turbo petrol
Power: 241BHP, 353Nm
0-62mph: 6.1 secs
Top speed: 149mph
Combined MPG: 35.4
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
CO2 g/km: 182
Price: From £40,555
