Its newest G90 sedan has Rolls-Royce-like styling and its crossovers continue to impress (the GV70 was a finalist for World Car of the Year). On Wednesday the brand introduced the Genesis X Speedium Coupe, which showcases aspects of its forthcoming electric vehicles.
Designer Luc Donckerwolke, just off his World Car Person of the Year award, penned the concept, saying it follows the company’s Athletic Elegance language, but in a more futuristic way.
The name, despite sounding like a new heavy element the company just discovered, comes from the Korean racetrack in the city of Inje, and “encapsulates Genesis’ belief that the emotional value of driving will remain strong in the era of electrification,” according to the press release.
The sportback-style coupe features an amplified version of the company’s quad headlights. Here the bars separate, creating the company’s Genesis Crest Grille with a full width lightbar that’s becoming common on electric vehicles. The bar integrates both low and high beams.
“This car is an open-door moment in Genesis’ journey towards our future EV design,” said Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis in a press release. “This isn’t a show car — it’s a look into our design processes as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs, one that incorporates Genesis’ DNA.”
The profile view is clean with chrome character lines separating the driver and rear window. A sleeker version of the quad taillights continue, attached to a ducktail spoiler. Genesis says the Speedium is the anti-wedge, with “wedge” being the shape of many of the ’80s and ’90s supercars.
“We are giving each design element space to breathe,” said Donckerwolke. “It’s not about making the design elements compete with each other, but about orchestrating the elements so that they complement and respect one another.”
Genesis is known for its sophisticated colors, with reds and greens and blues available on its production cars, in addition to the blacks, grays and silvers. This new shade for the concept is called Inje Green. The company says it was inspired by the mountainous landscape around the Speedium track.
The Speedium concept is just a design exercise for now, as the world has been slowly turning against two-door vehicles for crossovers and SUVs. Genesis continues to roll out new SUVs including the GV60, a subcompact crossover that will make its way to America in later this year with a number of alternative powertrain options available globally.
