At the New Auto Show, the Korean carmaker presented a close-to-production preview of its Genesis GV80 Coupé for the first time. Similarities with the X Speedium Coupé Concept, which was also presented in New York a year ago, are not entirely coincidental. “Genesis initially developed luxury sedans such as the G70, G80 and G90 models,” says Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis, “over the past seven years we have expanded the portfolio to include other lifestyle-oriented models such as the two SUVs GV80 and GV70 added. With vehicles that are even more emotional, we want to further strengthen the performance and dynamics of Genesis.”
Genesis was launched as a premium offshoot of Hyundai in Europe just over two years ago and has already launched a wide range of mid-range and luxury models. However, the top model Genesis G90 is currently not available in Europe. By the end of the decade, the brand wants to become a pure electric car manufacturer that aims to be CO2-neutral by 2035. “In just two years, Genesis has successfully established itself in Europe. Customer feedback is extremely positive. And thanks to our attractive product range, which also includes three purely electric cars, demand will continue to grow,” explains Lawrence Hamilton, Managing Director of Genesis Motor Europe.
The GV80 Coupé concept car features the signature Genesis grille with two superimposed matrix patterns and adjacent LED lights for appropriate illumination of the area in front of the vehicle. In addition, the GV80 offshoot of the future shines with forged five-spoke aluminum rims and a carbon roof, which in this class is more likely to be used for optics than for weight savings. The elegantly tapered rear end with roof spoiler and spoiler lip on the ducktail is well worth seeing and clearly modified compared to the normal 80s SUV.
Apart from the choice of colors and the sports seats, the interior does not differ significantly from the well-known Genesis GV80. The question remains whether Genesis is brave enough to equip the production model of the GV80 Coupé with four individual seats, just like the study. With some competitors, sales of the four-seaters were so low that the five-seaters often remained in the long run. Most recently, however, Ferrari introduced its high-performance Purosangue SUV with four individual seats. The GV80 is currently available with a 225 kW / 304 hp four-cylinder turbo and a much better fitting three-liter six-cylinder diesel with 200 kW / 272 hp. In markets outside Europe, the GV80 is also available with a 3.5-liter six-cylinder turbo with 280 kW / 380 hp and a maximum torque of 540 Nm. An electric version like the Genesis G80 or the GV70 Eletrified shouldn’t be long in coming.
