Introducing the Hottest New SUV From Genesis
Genesis is heating up these days as the brand is trying to win over drivers’ hearts — not just our minds and wallets — with spicy concepts like the X Speedium Coupe and now this: the GV80 Coupe.
The Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept was unveiled in New York, at Genesis House in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district earlier this month.
“It emphasizes the duality of the Genesis brand by showcasing the antagonistic character that lives within the Athletic and Elegance parameters of Genesis’ design philosophy,” said Luc Donckerwolke, the group’s chief creative officer.
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept
What does that mean exactly? Great question. It seems Genesis wants to get sporty and develop an edge. This new concept is a step towards that goal.
Like so many other automakers before them, Genesis took one of its SUVs — in this case the large and luxurious GV80 — and chopped the roofline to create an SUV that looks vaguely like a coupe. Hence: GV80 Coupe.
What’s amazing here though is just how well Genesis pulls off the trendy fastback SUV look. It’s not exactly a new idea, but the GV80 Coupe has got to be one of our favourite examples of the genre. (That’s saying something, because there are a lot of these things out there now.) The brand’s design language really works with this newfound edge. Check out that perfect ducktail spoiler and the lights that streak around the vehicle making it look fast even when it’s standing still. The hunkered-down stance over those massive alloys strikes that “antagonistic” tone Donckerwolke was talking about.
The best little exterior details are those subtle new vents on the front bumper; it’s racecar stuff but somehow it works here. As Genesis explain: “Cooling is optimized by four slots within the bumper that reduce shadowed thermal flow.” Understood? Great, moving on.
Let’s Talk About That Cabin
Four carbon-fibre bucket seats with a racetrack-ready roll-cage is, admittedly, not the most practical setup for an SUV, but we’re here for it. It just looks cool, especially because the seat backs are painted in the same Magma colour as the exterior, and there’s a matching Magma racing helmet. The rest of the cabin materials are on point too, with black Nappa and suede leather with plaid double stitching, orange piping and carbon fiber.
Hearts, Not Minds
“Over the past seven years, we have added more lifestyle-oriented models to the portfolio, such as our GV80 and GV70 SUVs. Now we are pushing the envelope with more emotional cars that elevate Genesis’ performance and dynamic attributes,” Donckerwolke said. He admitted that, in the beginning, Genesis was a luxury sedan brand. It launched with a core lineup of four-doors: the G70, G80 and G90. Now, it’s time for the brand to move beyond that.
The great luxury brands, the ones that seem to have a magnetic pull, are the brands that offer products that provoke an emotion response. You see it, and you’ve got to have it.
Previously, Genesis has managed to do that with the X Speedium Coupe Concept — a shooting brake coupe/wagon hybrid that we love — unveiled last year in New York. Sadly, it has (so far) remained just a concept. Same goes for the original Genesis X Concept and last winter’s Genesis X Convertible, although there are rumours the latter could make it into production.
The all-electric Genesis GV60 is a unique, original design but it doesn’t tug at our heart strings like those concepts do. There’s also the new Electrified GV70, which is sure to be popular.
If it goes into production, however, the GV80 Coupe Concept would be the first production model to finally bring some real emotional pull to the Genesis lineup.
“It is a statement of intent for more emotional, performance-oriented models and a preview of Genesis’ future programs,” the company wrote in a statement. “The GV80 Coupe Concept confirms Genesis’ commitment and ambitions to deliver innovative luxury products with bold, emotional resonance.”
Reading between the lines, we’d say there’s a pretty good chance the GV80 Coupe makes it into showrooms eventually.
