Genesis, jenama mewah Korea, menceburi segmen prestasi dengan pengenalan konsep GV60 Magma, yang diperkenalkan menjelang pameran kereta New York. Ini menandakan kemunculan sulung jenama Genesis yang memberi perhatian kepada prestasi dengan GV60 Magma berpotensi menjadi kenderaan pengeluaran pertama di bawah jenama ini.
Diperolehi daripada EV pertama Genesis, yang berkongsi platformnya dengan Hyundai Ioniq 5 dan Kia EV6, konsep GV60 Magma mempamerkan reka bentuk menarik yang menyerlahkan sifat prestasinya. Walaupun butiran teknikal tidak diberikan, terdapat spekulasi bahawa GV60 Magma boleh berkongsi komponen dengan model EV6 GT dan Ioniq 5 N berkuasa tinggi, masing-masing menawarkan output kuasa yang mengagumkan sebanyak 576hp dan 641hp.
Genesis, the Korean luxury brand, has announced its foray into the performance segment with the introduction of the GV60 Magma concept, unveiled ahead of the New York auto show. This marks the debut of Genesis’ performance-focused subbrand, with the GV60 Magma set to potentially become the first production vehicle under this banner.
Derived from Genesis’ first EV, which shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the GV60 Magma concept showcases a striking design that emphasises its performance-oriented nature. While technical details were not provided, it’s speculated that the GV60 Magma could share components with the high-powered EV6 GT and Ioniq 5 N models, boasting impressive power outputs of 576hp and 641hp, respectively.
Semasa GT World Series Finals di Barcelona, Genesis mendedahkan model konsep Vision GT-nya yang dipanggil Genesis X Gran Berlinetta.
Hypercar mewah ini dibuat untuk siri Gran Turismo, memaparkan gaya Athletic Elegance tanpa perlu risau tentang pengeluarannya di jalan sebenar.
Konsep ini kelihatan hebat dengan badan yang rendah, bonet yang panjang, dan reka bentuk yang menonjol. Di dalamnya, ia merupakan gabungan kemewahan dan elemen yang terinspirasi dari perlumbaan, seperti skrin digital besar di pangkal cermin hadapan.
Kabinnya dilengkapi dengan Genesis’ Quad Lights yang istimewa, stereng bulat, dan tempat duduk yang selesa dan berlapis.
Kereta ini mempunyai campuran kuasa enjin V6 Lambda 11 yang diletakkan di tengah dan motor elektrik Yasa E. Bersama, ia menghasilkan 1,071hp dan tork 1336Nm. Kereta ini dicipta untuk perlumbaan, bukan untuk pemanduan harian, dan tidak akan dijual kepada orang awam.
Sebaliknya, ini adalah cara bagi Genesis untuk mempamerkan kemahiran reka bentuknya dalam dunia maya Gran Turismo 7, dan pemain boleh memilikinya bermula Januari 2024. Konsep ini memberikan gambaran tentang rancangan berpotensi Genesis untuk kereta yang lebih menarik pada masa akan datang.
At the GT World Series Finals in Barcelona, Genesis unveiled the full-scale prototype of its Vision GT concept, the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta. Developed for the Gran Turismo series, this exotic hypercar showcases the Athletic Elegance styling language without the constraints of a production vehicle.
The concept features a low-slung body with a long hood, cab-backward proportions, and striking design elements. The interior combines luxury with motorsport-inspired features, including a digital panoramic interface mounted on the base of the windshield.
The minimalist cockpit features Genesis’ signature Quad Lights, a yoke steering wheel, and heavily bolstered quilted seats.
The hybrid powertrain comprises a mid-mounted Lambda 11 V6 engine and a Yasa E electric motor, delivering a combined output of 1,071hp and 1336Nm of torque.
While the concept is designed for racing and won’t enter production, it allows Genesis to showcase its design prowess and push boundaries in the virtual realm of Gran Turismo 7, with availability for players starting in January 2024.
The concept hints at the brand’s potential foray into more exciting segments in the future.
For decades, motorists had to insert a key in the door (or handle) of a car to unlock it for entry. During the 1980s, the key became unnecessary as central locking systems allowed for remote unlocking at the press of a button on a fob.
Then pressing on the fob became unnecessary as a sensor on the door handle could trigger the unlocking process (provided the fob was on the body of the person as an identifier). Today, many cars – even entry-level models from Perodua and Proton – have this convenience of locking and unlocking doors.
Though Japanese in origin, the auto industry practices kaizen or ‘constant improvement’ and constantly looks for better ways of doing things or making things better. So even the unlocking of a car door can continue to undergo innovation and Genesis has introduced an even more advanced way of doing it – facial recognition.
Following the Genesis X Concept and then the Genesis X Speedium Coupe Concept, the third and final member of the series has been revealed as the Genesis X Convertible Concept, which will be displayed at the coming Los Angeles Auto Show.
As with the two earlier concepts, the X Convertible showcases the Athletic Elegance design language of the Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury brand. This includes the Genesis Crest Grille and with the X Convertible, the design is taken further up the emotional scale.
Following the launch of the Genesis GV70 SUV last year, an electrified version is now being introduced in selected markets outside its home market and will be made at the Hyundai Motor Group’s factory in Alabama, USA from next month. It will be the first Genesis model to be built in the USA and the first-ever Genesis production to take place outside South Korea.
The Electrified GV70, as it is referred to, shares the same design based on ‘Athletic Elegance’ as the GV70. The front end shows more attention to aerodynamic efficiency, vital for electric vehicles which need the lowest wind resistance possible. The Genesis signature Crest Grille has thus evolved into an aerodynamic crest that features an inverted G-Matrix Pattern and incorporates a hidden EV charging port, creating a minimalist yet sophisticated look.
The Hyundai Motor Group has announced a new global strategy which will ensure that its vehicles remain technically and functionally up to date throughout the vehicle’s entire life. This will see all vehicles (Hyundai, Kia and Genesis) transformed to Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by 2025.
The industry-leading initiative is expected to transform the customer experience via constantly evolving software technology. It will encompass all models and enable upgrading of all vehicle functions such as safety, convenience, connectivity, security, and driving performance.
The upgrades will be delivered ‘Over-The-Air’ and the vehicles will be equipped with the necessary hardware to receive the updates. This means that owners need not visit a service centre, saving time. The ability to upgrade software will also enhance resale value of the vehicle which will be kept up to date even after 10 years in use.
In April this year, Genesis – the third brand in the Hyundai Motor Group – unveiled the X Speedium Coupe to give a preview of what the luxury brand’s next wave of electric vehicles will be like. At that time, it showed only the exterior of the concept car inherits the brand’s design philosophy of ‘Athletic Elegance’.
Now, we get to see the inside of the X Speedium Coupe which, like the exterior, embarks on a design evolution of the Grand Tourer concept in the coming age of electrification. Over the 5 months since it was first revealed, the interior design was developed by the Genesis design group which adopted a ‘freestyle’ design exercise.
“The X Speedium Coupe was conceived as an internal design exercise that we later decided to reveal publicly. It was nothing more than a hard model built on our Athletic Elegance design identity,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer, Luc Donckerwolke. “Given the positive reception it received at the event, we chose to complete the concept and present it to discerning attendees at the Pebble Beach Concours. The interior captures the Genesis brand’s ‘Beauty of White Space’ design ethos, which suits various luxury lifestyles and adds to the appeal of the dynamic GT.”
Driver-oriented layout and UI concept The interior of the X Speedium Coupe leverages a classic Korean design principle known as ‘the Beauty of White Space’. Inspired by Korean architecture, this aligns closely with the ideology of reductive design and is expressed through a minimalist and pure form language punctuated by strong design elements.
The asymmetric, driver-oriented layout is a continuation of the theme found on Genesis’ more recent concept cars, in which all the control systems and displays surround the driver. The instrument panel and floating centre console wrap around the driver cockpit, amplifying the driving experience.
This effect is further accentuated by the interior’s contrasting colour palette, which clearly distinguishes the driver’s area from the passenger space. The driver’s seating area is set in Pinegrove Green, a complement to the Inje Green exterior.
The contrasting Monterey Gold around the driver’s seat—a colour inspired by the scenery along the Northern California coast—alludes to the yellow flowers and golden sand found in the region.
New sound architecture In addition, Genesis is exploring the future of audio experiences through a new sound architecture. This blends technology and art while highlighting the brand’s attention to detail. In collaboration with sound mater Guk-il Yu, the head of Metal Sound Design (a company that specializes in high-performance speakers), the X Speedium Coupe features strategically-placed speakers to fill the interior with rich sound.
Tweeters, mid-range speakers, woofers and sub-woofer are strategically positioned to provide the finest staging sound experience. The aluminium tweeters, which emit high-pitched sounds, were flawlessly crafted with a precision milling method to optimize acoustic performance.
Driver-focused cockpit The driver-focused cockpit has a curved OLED display that visualizes the heritage of high-performance cars. The cluster’s GUI includes a centre-mounted motor output indicator designed in a ‘newtro’ (new+retro) style – a stark contrast to the RPM gauges found in cars with combustion engines.
The vertical display on the right side of the driver’s seat features an integrated touch display with an optimized UI design. The display includes the start button as well as the multimedia and vehicle control functions.
Craftsmanship in the details The X Speedium Coupe’s cargo area has X straps on top of the loading space, a detail inspired by the brand’s unique G-Matrix Pattern, a design feature derived from the Genesis Mint Concept.
Another noteworthy detail is the leather; the material itself as well as its application. The quilted pattern on the leather seats and the door trim gives the impression of a classic sportscar. Meanwhile, the steering wheel features cut-off leather that were salvaged from re-purposed car seat materials and woven together.
Eco-friendly leather Two types of leather were used in the interior: vegetable-tanned leather and an innovative new breathable grain leather. The vegetable-tanned leather is treated with plant-derived substances – such as citrus fruits and mimosa – and processed without chromium.
Compared to ordinary leather, the breathable grain leather used in the upper part of the cabin requires less water and lower levels of chemicals to manufacture. The threads used in the finishing process are made from repurposed plastic, adding to the material’s durability and water resistance factors.
According to Donckerwolke, the X Speedium Coupe challenges the status quo of a defined car type. “This car is an open-door moment in Genesis’ journey towards our future EV design. This is not a showcar… it’s a look into our design processes as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs, one that incorporates Genesis’ DNA,” he said but clarified that it is also not a conventional concept car that previews plans for the production line-up.
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.
