Striking Genesis concepts showcase future of luxury brand

Two striking new Genesis concepts spawned from the Korean luxury brand’s G90 flagship showcase its “new chapter”.

Unveiled at the Seoul motor show, the X Gran Coupé and X Gran Convertible have been created to “demonstrate the brand’s future position” and arrive 10 years after it was spun out of Hyundai.

Both concepts clearly resemble the donor limousine (such as with the classic twin-lightbar design up front and at the back) and have been created to show that there is a place within the Genesis lineup in which to to expand with niche model derivatives. 

“In a time when people think only about one single typology of vehicle I think it is important to make sure that we have different [variants] in the lineup," design boss Luc Donckerwolke told journalists at the motor show.

"We don’t do show cars for the sake of doing show cars.

“The reasoning behind [the concepts] is making derivatives of the G90 which share the same platform, so it is cars that could be integrated into the lineup; but the business case will basically be the one that shows [if it will be] - but we have had enough interest to be positive about it."

What’s more, features such as the frameless windows, pillarless doors and the extensive use of quilted materials inside appear near-production ready, also suggesting the cars are showcasing elements that will trickle down to road cars.

The pair build on the trio of two-door X Concepts that Genesis revealed in 2021 and 2022, in what is described by Genesis as a way to “express the brand’s facets of exclusive sportiness and luxurious elegance”.

That luxury positioning is taken a step further here. For example, both new concepts are littered with crystals across the steering wheel, centre console and air vents that when hit by sunlight “create captivating displays”.

The cloth-roofed convertible in particular is presented in a way to “capture the spirit of fine wines”, with an exterior colour that represents pressed grapes and an interior that “echoes the deep, rich hues of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Livorno region of Italy”.

This luxury positioning can also be seen from the aluminium-spoked steering wheel, screens that are embedded into the rear of the front seats and the use of microperforated olive wood.

Underneath, Donckerwolke confirmed the cars use the short-wheelbase configuration of the G90's platform and, although they're just static show cars, draw power from the same 409bhp mild-hybrid setup centered around a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

The G90 - currently only sold in Germany and Switzerland in Europe – isn't offered as an electric car and no plans to electrify it have been announced.

Genesis recently rolled back on plans to go electric-only and instead will bolster its global line-up with hybrids.