After launching solely with sedans, Korean luxurious model Genesis has been busily rolling out SUVs – and its newest idea automobile may very well be amongst its upcoming new fashions.
“The X Gran Equator is a brand new potential addition to a lineup which is already fairly huge,” Genesis chief inventive officer Luc Donckerwolke instructed Australian media at this month’s New York motor present.
“In a few years we now have reached a household of SUVs… We’ve got proven final yr there’s one other one coming, a flagship SUV, very quickly,” he added, referring to the upcoming GV90 previewed by final yr’s Neolun idea.
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“Now the query is: how can we place the Gran Equator inside this lineup? How can we guarantee there’s not going to be an overlap or cannibalisation between these automobiles?
“I do imagine there’s room for that.”
As soon as the GV90 is launched, Genesis can have 4 SUVs: the small, electric-only GV60; the mid-size GV70, obtainable with combustion or electrical energy; and the massive, combustion-powered GV80, which is anticipated to be among the many first Genesis fashions to get the model’s upcoming 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain.
These SUVs complement the mid-size G70 sedan and wagon, the massive G80 sedan, and the flagship G90 limousine provided abroad – the latter of which might spawn coupe and/or convertible variants.
Genesis hasn’t launched powertrain particulars for the X Gran Equator idea, nor has it launched dimensions.
Nevertheless, it’s clearly on the bigger facet, notably with that prolonged bonnet.
Whereas its chunky Ridge Grappler LT315/45R24 tyres wrapped round big 24-inch wheels level to a degree of off-road skill, the X Gran Equator’s lengthy bonnet and two-row seating configuration – if not its squared-off strains – think of glossy, extra coupe-like SUVs just like the defunct Infiniti QX70.
Mr Donckerwolke mentioned the X Gran Equator idea isn’t a flight of fantasy, and is technically possible.
“Mainly, the Gran Equator was designed by my workforce in a really brief time. Like all the opposite initiatives, I make it possible for due to my engineering workforce being concerned within the mission that each one these initiatives are possible, that we don’t should face any huge hurdles if we now have to understand that might mainly make the mission unsuitable,” he mentioned.
“From the technical standpoint, the platform works, the technical facet works, now it’s clearly the demand.”
Mr Donckerwolke instructed media in New York that between the present and the idea’s unveiling on the Genesis Home retail location the evening earlier than, it had already acquired a optimistic reception internally.
“Everyone has referred to as and requested, ‘When can I’ve it?’. All of the areas have been. I feel this can be a huge progress,” he mentioned.
“It’s plugging into the SUV emotion, it’s going again to the off-road functionality that really makes these SUVs real and genuine.”
Whereas it has key Genesis design cues like its Twin Lamp split-level lighting, it doesn’t merely appear to be a smaller or bigger model of any present SUV from Hyundai’s premium model.
“It has its personal character… We don’t need to do the Russian dolls. All of the automobiles have their very own characters, their very own particular tailor-made design,” mentioned Mr Donckerwolke.
Distinctive particulars on the idea’s exterior embody a split-opening tailgate, and 4 particular person sunroofs.
Inside, Genesis designers went for a mix of analogue and digital design parts.
There’s no touchscreen – an omission that might certainly be rectified with a manufacturing model – however there are 4 discrete digital dials mentioned to be impressed by the dials of classic cameras.
There’s a crystal-look rotary controller much like that within the GV60, whereas among the switchgear on and across the steering wheel is harking back to that in present Genesis fashions.
The swivelling entrance seats are distinctive to the X Gran Equator, nevertheless, as are the chunky seize handles on both facet of the centre stack and rear centre console.
The cabin has a two-tone colourway, whereas the upholstery has a diamond sample – one other instance of Genesis’ G-Matrix patterning.
Genesis says its idea “marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience”, although it hasn’t shared any technical specs of the car, reminiscent of dimensions or powertrain sort.
The luxurious model’s ideas normally result in manufacturing automobiles, aside from its numerous two-door coupe and convertible ideas – none of which, to this point, have entered manufacturing.
MORE: Genesis X Gran Equator is a rugged off-roader, however will you have the ability to purchase it?
