Genesis debuts gorgeous electric high-performance GT coupe X Concept
Luxury brand Genesis has introduced what it calls an “EV-based” Gran Turismo concept car called the X Concept. And as you can see, it’s rather pretty.
An equally pretty film of the car was also revealed as it made its global debut in Los Angeles on a private rooftop – traditional motor shows just aren’t possible in these Covid times, you see.
No technical details have been released – we only know it’s “EV-based” – but the large electric luxury GT hints at an exciting future for Hyundai’s luxury arm.
Albert Biermann, Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Performance and R&D Divisions, has previously said they were preparing “a very emotional battery electric driving experience” across Kia, Hyundai and Genesis, while last year Genesis Australia marketing manager Stewart Parnaby confirmed a Genesis EV was not far away for our market.
So could the X Concept become reality? While clearly not production ready, it doesn’t look as far off as some concepts, while the beautiful design language has many hints of current Genesis models.
Genesis is known for its “Two Lines” design elements, witnessed by the concept’s lengthy headlamps – extending around to the wheel arches and then again to the front door. The two-line taillights continue the theme, and there are certainly hints of Aston Martin to these, which from a design perspective is no bad thing at all.
The front end has a shield-shaped grille with 3D G-Matrix pattern, the bonnet and front fenders are integrated to create a single clamshell bonnet, while a low down air intake is there to cool whatever electric gubbins resides (or will reside) underneath.
There are virtual mirrors in the style of the Audi e-tron, while for smoothness’ sake, a slide-to-open charging door features no parting lines. Behind the five-spoke alloys are large lime-accentuated brake callipers, suggesting the car’s performance potential.
The body colour – you’re going to love this – is Lençóis Blue, developed to “express the level of sustainable luxury that Genesis pursues.” We’re told the colour was inspired by the lagoons of Maranhenses National Park in Brazil, where a lake forms only during the rainy season.
The cockpit is a bit of a mish-mash of colour, with the driver’s seat scotch brown and the passenger seat an ocean wave green blue. Both seats are buckets suggesting again the performance nature, while there even appears to be ample legroom for a couple of passengers behind.
There’s a floating centre console, slim air vents surrounding the passengers and sustainability on show with a weave-patterned fabric for the safety belts and parts of the steering wheel made from leftover pieces of leather from previous manufacturing processes.
You can get a closer look at the Genesis X Concept with the brand’s digital motor show (digitalmotorshow.genesis.com) on its website, giving 360-degree views of its interior and exterior.
The Genesis X Concept is the brand’s fifth concept car, following the New York, GV80, Essentia, and Mint concepts.
