Genesis has already prepared the ground for its new electric luxury coupe with several concept studies. The Koreans confidently orientate themselves towards the automotive elite. Now there is a possible name.
Genesis caused a stir with its comeback as an independent brand in Europe. And not just with the series models: in the course of 2021 and 2022, the luxury offshoot of the Hyundai Group illustrated with a series of concept studies that there could be quite chic and high-quality upper-class models in coupe and convertible form in the future. Now there are new concrete indications that new challengers for the automotive elite are being devised in Korea.
In February 2023 there were first concrete indications that new challengers for the automotive elite were being devised in Korea. "Automotive News" reported that the Genesis' X-Concept series from the past two years will lead to a production model. The trade magazine relies on statements by Peter Lanzavecchia, head of the Genesis of Cherry Hill dealership near Philadelphia and chairman of the US dealer association of Genesis. According to Lanzavecchia, star car designer Luc Donckerwolke, who is currently Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, confirmed to US dealers at their annual meeting that Genesis is indeed planning the luxury coupe they have been craving.
"200,000 to 300,000 dollars"
The model should be luxurious in view of the price announced by Lanzavecchia of "over 200,000 or 300,000 dollars" (currently the equivalent of a good 184,000 to around 276,500 euros). Genesis would thus advance into completely new price dimensions. The most expensive Genesis available in Germany, the SUV GV80 , costs "only" 87,780 euros in its top equipment "Luxury Plus" and with a six-cylinder diesel engine. Just above that is the absolute Genesis top model in the USA, the luxury class sedan G90 , which is not offered in this country, with a maximum of 98,700 dollars or almost 91,000 euros.
After the euphoria had apparently grabbed him, Lanzavecchia followed up in an interview with "Automotive News". He "guarantees that we'll have to trade in a lot of Bentley Continental convertibles when it comes to our showrooms." He also speaks of an "extremely limited sales volume"; the Genesis top coupé could therefore be limited. And it would most likely come with pure electric propulsion; at least Genesis has attested to such a concept study trio. So far, the Bentley Continental has only been available with combustion engines and, if necessary, a mild hybrid supplement.
Patent protection for "GT90" and "X Speedium Coupé"
The fact that the dealer explicitly mentions the convertible version of the British luxury car as a rival indicates that Genesis is definitely a series derivative of the youngest representative of the X concept car series will bring.The Genesis X Convertible debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in fall 2022, showing what an electric convertible flagship from the brand could look like.
In September 2022, the Hyundai Group also had the model name X Speedium Coupé protected by the Swiss Federal Institute for Intellectual Property. The Koreans also registered the model name "GT90 Genesis" for a possible new car model at the American Patent Office (USPTO) in 2017. It is noteworthy that the patent application in April 2023 was explicitly extended for use on a sports car. GT90 would also fit well into the existing Genesis nomenclature - for a sporty offshoot of the luxury sedan G90.
There is also a study equivalent for a possible sports car: the noble coupé with Shooting Brake borrowings (see video after the first paragraph) was shown last year both at the New York International Auto Show and as part of the Monterey Car Week. The founder of the concept study series in March 2021 was the X Concept with a two-door, three-box design, i.e. a classic coupé line with a notchback.
E-GMP platform could serve as a substructure
Incidentally, Genesis never said a word about the technology of the beautiful show car trio. However, it can be assumed that the luxury brand will be able to use the company shelf and access the E-GMP platform. In addition to the Hyundai Ioniq models 5 and 6 and the Kia EV6, this is already used by the purely electrically powered Genesis GV60 . The Kia EV6 GT with its 430 kW (585 hp) and maximum 740 Newton meters proves that the drive components installed in it are capable of adequate data. However, a top coupé from Genesis should increase again both in terms of performance values and range (424 kilometers according to WLTP for the EV6 GT).
The question of the time horizon remains. In September 2021, Genesis announced that it would launch a total of eight models with electric drives from 2025. A corresponding teaser image already shows clear coupé silhouettes. It is quite possible that the Bentley Continental rival is already there.
Conclusion
So it could come in about two years, the first Genesis at an absolute top level. When it comes to design, the Koreans Bentley, Porsche, Maserati and Co. can certainly hold a candle. They then have to prove whether this is also possible in terms of technology and quality. On the other hand, there are question marks over the charisma of the brand and the emotions that a luxury coupé and/or convertible from Genesis would trigger. Both are essential at the desired price level.
