• Genesis unveils the GV80 Coupe concept ahead of the New York Auto Show.
• The model offers an interior with only four seats.
• The luxury brand has hinted that it will have other models with a sportier style to offer us in the future.
New York, New York – This week is the New York Auto Show, the second since the two-year hiatus imposed by Covid-19. Wednesday and Thursday are the days for press, while on Friday visitors can go through the turnstiles at the Jacob Javits Center, located on 11th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets.
As a preview of the party, at its Genesis House in New York, the luxury brand of Hyundai held a private event bringing together a few hundred people. For the occasion, she unveiled a concept there, a reworked GV80 which came in the form of a coupe.
A nice surprise, it must be said, because it is not the vehicle that observers were anticipating. And today, in the digital age, it is rarer to be surprised. In this regard, the operation was successful.
As for the vehicle, its style is also born, but the approach is not new or revolutionary. The competition is doing the same in this category, which is why the Korean brand is considering following suit. Yes, we are talking about a concept vehicle, but as you can see by consulting our photos, we are closer to the production vehicle than to the stylistic study here.
Note that the company hasn’t mentioned anything about a possible production. We just speculate.
We spare you the somewhat esoteric explanation that accompanied the presentation of the GV80 Coupe to get to the point. We will simply tell you that Genesis is staging here what it defines as its duality, namely the sporty character of its vehicles, as well as their elegant side. It ties in with the brand’s design philosophy of athleticism and elegance.
As for the product as such, it is intended to be inspired by the X Speedium Coupe concept which was unveiled at the same New York Motor Show last year. From what one grasps from the information provided by the company, this is a preview of things to come at Genesis. Basically, the company first offered us more “practical” SUVs, while in the future it wants to add “more emotional” variants. »
Aesthetically, we recognize of course the signature of the GV80. What differs above all is the plunging rear part, embellished with a spoiler and an elliptical concave spoiler whose objective is to offer better support on the road. A carbon fiber roof adds to the more sporty character of the utility.
As for the color, it requires wearing sunglasses. It simply represents the lava of a volcano.
Inside, there’s a four-seat configuration, an approach we’ve also seen elsewhere with this kind of model. Let’s remember the first BMW X6 (today there are five of them).
Moreover, the cocoon is enhanced by the presence of a three-spoke steering wheel with a more sporty design, as well as four sport (not to say racing) seats covered in leather and suede. These inherit a tiled pattern and are embellished with contrasting stitching in the exterior colour.
Quite frankly, it’s quite spectacular. We suspect that a production model would offer something more conventional, but we’d be curious to see how popular a cabin as presented would be with buyers. Something tells us it would be highly prized.
Note that there are also carbon appliques inside, among others on the center console, in order to remain in the term of sportiness.
Mechanically, the firm had nothing to share, but we guess that a production version would benefit from the same components as the regular GV80. This midsize SUV is either powered by a 2.5-litre turbo 4-cylinder (300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque) or a 3.5-litre turbo V6 (375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque) . Both mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
What might be possible is a bit more power or a new, more wanton mechanic to go with the model’s stronger personality.
We are going to monitor this file closely, because the production of this concept is quite possible.
Original content from auto123.
