CUV Archives

Unique centrepiece in Genesis GV60 EV (w/VIDEO)

There are various ways of expressing luxury in a car and designers are always looking for new ideas. The design team at Genesis has come up with something unique which is a standout features in the brand’s first battery electric model – the GV60.

Known as the Crystal Sphere, it represents a striking interior focal point for GV60 and an emotional connection between the driver and the vehicle. Beautifully crafted, the Crystal Sphere embodies Genesis’ approach to design, luxury and ergonomics. It is adapted from a feature first seen in the Genesis X concept car.

Located in the floating centre console, the sphere appears as a sparkling, jewel-like object placed within the spacious and balanced cockpit which is inspired by the ‘Beauty of White Space’ philosophy of traditional Korean architecture.

“As the GV60 is an electric vehicle, it is naturally extremely quiet, making it a challenge to alert the driver that the car is ready to drive. Our engineering and design teams collaborated closely to create this unique and captivating way for the driver to engage with the vehicle through the Crystal Sphere. Combining form with function, Crystal Sphere embodies Genesis’ commitment to offer unrivalled technology, premium design and driver appeal,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer at Genesis.

Form and function
When the GV60’s electrical systems are turned off, the Crystal Sphere becomes part of the vehicle’s ambient cabin lighting, delivering a calming glow to the cabin when the car doors are opened to welcome its occupants.

When the driver pushes the engine start button, the sphere rotates through 180˚ to reveal the metal finish Shift-By-Wire controller, creating a compelling atmosphere of futuristic mobility. By turning the transmission dial that is knurled for optimum grip, the driver is able to select the desired gear, receiving haptic feedback that confirms a gear has been engaged, including a subtle vibration when requesting a direction change, such as when shifting from drive to reverse.

Practicality and safety
The Crystal Sphere also acts as a safety feature, which is important for an electric car that is very as silent. Typically, the only indication of the car’s current state are the icons on the instrument cluster. When charging, the Crystal Sphere is not able to be rotated into driving mode, while it glows red as a warning when reverse is selected.

Featuring a real glass finish, Crystal Sphere has been laser-engraved on the inside with an elegantly delicate interpretation of the Genesis G-Matrix design signature. Created after numerous sampling and modifications, this optimized pattern is further highlighted by the soft backlit illumination.

Yet with its role in controlling the transmission, the Crystal Sphere is much more than a bold decorative element. As a result, Genesis engineers have made durability and ease-of-use a priority. Everything from the motor output to the materials used and specifications of the wiring was thoroughly evaluated through cycle testing in high and low-temperature environments, as well as being engineered to withstand heavy loads.

As a unique centrepiece, the Crystal Sphere will be included as standard across all versions of the GV60 range. Now on sale in Europe, the GV60 is priced from £47,005 (around RM255,000).

First Genesis BEV
The GV60 is Genesis’ first vehicle to be built on the dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the Hyundai Motor Group. It is available with rear-wheel drive model, all-wheel drive, and a performance model with all-wheel-drive. Each model features a 77.4-kWh battery pack, and the RWD model has a claimed maximum driving range of 451 kms per charge.

The RWD model’s motor output is 168 kW/350Nm, while the AWD model has a 160 kW motor for its rear wheels and a 74 kW motor for the front wheels, providing a total output of 234 kW with a maximum of 605 Nm.

The performance model has two 160 kW motors for the front and rear wheels, delivering a total output of 320 kW, maximum torque of 605 Nm, but the claimed maximum driving range is 368 kms on a fully charged battery pack.

A Boost Mode, activated by a button on the steering wheel, can increase straightline performance for 10 seconds. This will enable the vehicle to go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4 seconds.

Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept

Hyundai’s Head of Design talks about the Vision T Concept (w/VIDEO)

In the fourth quarter of year, Hyundai Motor displayed the Vision T concept, first revealed at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The model gave a preview of some of the styling ideas that the Korean carmaker is exploring and recently, the Head of Hyundai Design, SangYup Lee, presented a deeper look at the concept.

In the video, he explains the key characteristics of the car’s design: dynamic architecture, sharp edges and straight lines, and geometric design features called ‘parametric dynamics’.

He first draws attention to Vision T’s sporty stance, which can be seen in its low bonnet, short front overhang and wide wheelbase. He then goes on to explain the parametric dynamics: a chiselled surface, a combination of soft surfaces and hard lines, and sharp, geometric edges. The car’s architecture is compared to a mineral or a crystal which has been struck by a hard object and then shattered.

Geometric patterns in the front grille, including hidden headlamps, give a jewel-like quality. When the car is in motion, the air intake flaps actually move, so the vehicle almost seems more like a living animal rather than a static machine.

The integrated architecture ensures a continuity throughout all elements of the vehicle, such as the hidden headlamp design which is repeated in the taillights.

“We really wanted to create Vision T as the most avant-garde, the sportiest, freshest CUV. The most dynamic CUV as a vision that we wanted to introduce,” he says.

Vision T represents one step in the evolution of Sensuous Sportiness, Hyundai’s signature design identity. Hyundai concept cars do not stand alone – they inform the design direction of future Hyundai models, which encompasses both concept and production cars.

Aspects of Vision T such as the sharp angles and straight lines can clearly be seen in 45, an earlier concept car. While the connection to Prophecy, the company’s most recent concept car, is less apparent, all three models are united under the Sensuous Sportiness design identity.

7th Generation Hyundai Elantra makes its global debut online from Hollywood

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

Brazil, though far from the major centres of the auto industry, is still an important location for some carmakers’ product development activities. The diversity of demographics, terrain and economy provides a rich environment to develop new models, especially for emerging markets.

Pandemic nothwithstanding, Volkswagen is planning the brand’s largest product campaign in South America this year. There will be at least 20 new product launches. One of them will be unveiled tomorrow and it is to be called the Nivus. It is expected to create a new segment in the Brazilian market where it will be sold initially.

Volkswagen Anchieta plant — The Anchieta plant in Brazil began operations in 1959 and was the first Volkswagen factory outsider Germany. Modernised over the years, it has produced a variety of models for the South American market and will be producing the new Nivus.

The vehicle is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) and will be built at the Anchieta plant using cutting-edge production processes. The new vehicle will also be available in Argentina later this year. Other South American markets will follow in 2021.

With an innovative design that combines SUV elements and coupe lines, it will be amongst the largest models within the small vehicle segment with a luggage compartment capacity of 415 litres. As a Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV), the Nivus offers ample vehicle interior space with an elevated seating position.

In the longer term, the Nivus will also go beyond the South American continent and become an international model for the German carmaker. Using the MQB platform means that it will be readily adaptable for production in other markets as well.

Volkswagen MQB — Introduced about 8 years ago, the MQB platform which the Nivus will ride on was developed as a flexible platform. It can be used for a wide range of model types cars from superminis class to midsized SUVs.

VW Saveiro — *Historically, Volkswagen has developed some models specially for the Brazilian market, like the Saveiro.*

The company has invested some €1.8 billion (about RM8.6 billion) in Brazil up to 2020 and under an organizational realignment made 3 years ago, the region has been given significantly greater independence in product development. Consequently, local management now has much more extensive decision-making flexibility, along with greater entrepreneurial responsibility.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about products available in Malaysia and where to experience them.

Volkswagen Tiguan has crossed 6-million mark and remains VW’s bestseller

Piston.my

CUV

Unique centrepiece in Genesis GV60 EV (w/VIDEO)

Hyundai’s Head of Design talks about the Vision T Concept (w/VIDEO)

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

Unique centrepiece in Genesis GV60 EV (w/VIDEO)

Hyundai’s Head of Design talks about the Vision T Concept (w/VIDEO)

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

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