Genesis Goes Mesh Crazy With Funky Luxury SUV Concept
The Genesis GV80 Concept is the brand’s first interpretation of a versatile, luxury SUV.
Bowing at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the Genesis GV80 Concept aims to strike a “perfect balance between elegance and versatility,” according to the Korean automaker. It further defines the company’s “Athletic Elegance” design language and features an advanced plug-in hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, although specifications were not announced. Not surprisingly, Genesis is putting focus on the concept’s design, interior and high-tech features rather than what resides under the hood.
Up front, there’s the signature Genesis crest grille, establishing a dominant center spine that runs through the length of the vehicle. Giving it a powerful, yet interesting stance, is the diamond motif mesh grille and wide-set horizontal quad headlights that encase jewel-like graphics. The paint finish is called Ice Granite, which works well in giving the impression of elegance and luxury. The muscular fenders house rather large 23-inch wheels that were designed to reduce weight and cool the brake system. A nice tough are the electronic door handles that sit flush underneath the crease line for enhanced aerodynamic performance and simplicity.
2017 New York Auto Show Coverage
The interior features a bridge instrument panel that spans door-to-door, designed to create a welcoming and spacious ambience. There’s a wide 22-inch curved display in the instrument panel, combining the precision of a classic speedometer with a digital display. The concept also has an innovative Human Machine Interface (HMI) that offers intuitive operation and function control through a new multi-function interactive controller with capacitive touch. Further adding luxury to the cabin are an ash wood lower center console and polished linear metal inlays that have capacitive touch capabilities.
Seating surfaces boast semi-aniline leather, while the door panels, seat inserts and center console side have quilted diamond stitching. The leather-wrapped upper instrument panel is contrasted with distinctive Architexture suede on the instrument panel bridge.
Last year, a leaked roadmap revealed Genesis hopes to have two SUVs on the market by 2020. This concept likely previews the larger of the two future models.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Not bad. Nice to see they've applied the Hofmeister-Kink-on-Steroids we've been seeing from the Nissan Rogue and new Honda CRV. Some of the meshy bits are gratuitous, but in this class, gratuitous isn't a bad thing, and I'm not seeing anything that looks too blatantly tacked on. Even the air infakes (not a typo) on the front below the headlights aren't bad.
So the "GV" Designation has been introduced, but WHERE is the G70 (New York Concept)?? Does this announcement mean that they are buying some time and going back to fix the C-Pillar on the G70 Sedan to look more like the prototype, or are they just falling in line with the "we need SUVs" crowd, or both? It seems the auto industry is doomed to repeat their mistakes. Next time around it will be we don't have enough fuel for all these SUVs, and prices will skyrocket, and they will be abandoned...all over again.