After launching solely with sedans, Korean luxurious model Genesis has been busily rolling out SUVs – and its newest idea automotive 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 large,” Genesis chief artistic 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 proven final 12 months there’s one other one coming, a flagship SUV, very quickly,” he added, referring to the upcoming GV90 previewed by final 12 months’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 may have 4 SUVs: the small, electric-only GV60; the mid-size GV70, accessible with combustion or electrical energy; and the massive, combustion-powered GV80, which is predicted 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 supplied abroad – the latter of which may spawn coupe and/or convertible variants.
Genesis hasn’t launched powertrain particulars for the X Gran Equator idea, nor has it launched dimensions.
Nonetheless, it’s clearly on the bigger facet, notably with that prolonged bonnet.
Whereas its chunky Ridge Grappler LT315/45R24 tyres wrapped round large 24-inch wheels level to a degree of off-road potential, the X Gran Equator’s lengthy bonnet and two-row seating configuration – if not its squared-off strains – recall to mind modern, 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.
“Principally, the Gran Equator was designed by my staff in a really quick time. Like all the opposite tasks, I make it possible for due to my engineering staff being concerned within the venture that every one these tasks are possible, that we don’t need to face any large hurdles if we now have to understand that may principally make the venture 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 constructive reception internally.
“All people has known as and requested, ‘When can I’ve it?’. All of the areas have been. I believe this can be a large progress,” he mentioned.
“It’s plugging into the SUV emotion, it’s going again to the off-road functionality that truly 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 vehicles have their very own characters, their very own particular tailor-made design,” mentioned Mr Donckerwolke.
Distinctive particulars on the idea’s exterior embrace a split-opening tailgate, and 4 particular person sunroofs.
Inside, Genesis designers went for a combination of analogue and digital design components.
There’s no touchscreen – an omission that may 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 a few of 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, nonetheless, 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 varied two-door coupe and convertible ideas – none of which, to date, have entered manufacturing.
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