Genesis GV80 concept 11
GV80 Concept Exterior Front
GV80 Concept Exterior Rear
GV80 Concept Exterior Rear City
Feann Torr13 Apr 2017
NEWS

NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Genesis first SUV revealed

Seven-seat GV80 Concept previews the first of two Genesis SUVs due in Australia from 2020

The wraps have come off Korea's latest prestige model at the 2017 New York motor show, the Genesis GV80 Fuel Cell Concept SUV.

Hyundai's burgeoning prestige brand has taken the next step in its journey toward global recognition by revealing the design of its first SUV, which in concept form is propelled by a clean and green hydrogen propulsion system.

The production version, due in 2019, will swap out its hydrogen fuel-cell setup for a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid Manfred Fitzgerald, Genesis global brand chief, explained at the cars global debut.

He also noted that every single Genesis vehicle going forward will premiere exclusively at the New York motor show.

The strapping Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and Jaguar F-PACE competitor -- which also features some neat, almost artful interior technology -- will be based on the current Genesis G80 platform when it reaches production in before 2020, targeting the hottest new vehicle segment in the world at present – SUVs.

And its importance for Australia is significant.

"Given the trends in the Australian market, Genesis SUVs will give us the best volume potential for the brand," said Hyundai Australia's PR manager, Guido Schenken.

First and foremost this concept vehicle is a design exercise, a vehicle created to gauge public response to a new style. The design language used to create the vehicle is called "Athletic Elegance".

The Genesis GV80 will be joined by a second, slightly smaller Genesis SUV model based on the smaller G70 platform.

GV80 Concept Exterior Rear

Possibly named the GV70, the all-new Korean mid-sizer will rival the likes of the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3 prestige SUVs. Both will be offered in right-hand drive, making them suitable for markets such as UK and Australia.

"When you look at our luxury competitors in Australia -- both BMW and Lexus -- over 50 per cent of their sales in Australia are SUVs, with Audi and Mercedes not far behind," added Schenken.

"The Genesis SUVs will be very important for the establishment and growth of the brand [in Australia] in the years to come," he stated.

Both (facelifted and renamed) G80 and (all-new mid-size) G70 sedans will be launched by the end of 2017 in Australia, and the SUVs will follow, but it's not yet clear whether Genesis vehicles will be sold locally in standalone showrooms or via a "dealer-in-dealer" scenario within existing Hyundai showrooms.

Hydrogen power and metal string technology

The second concept car from the company following the G70-previewing 2016 Genesis New York Concept is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain with plug-in compatibility, but it's not clear how much power the concept generates.

The GV80 Concept brandishes a dynamic new design that "…alludes to the confidence and evolution of the Genesis brand," says Genesis design boss, Luc Donckerwolke.

It rides on large 23-inch alloy wheels, features electronic flush-fitting door handles and laser fibre optic brake lights that deliver "soft visual intrigue" says the company.

The road-ready vehicle is expected to look similar to this concept but it's not clear whether a seven-seat option will be available on top of a regular five-seat layout - or even if this luxury four-seat layout will be offered.

GV80 Concept Interior Side

Genesis wants to offer a high-tech, razzle-dazzle interior to attract new customers, so in addition to the usual fine leathers, timbers and metals used, the GV80 also features several ultra-large, high-definition displays.

Up front, the main cabin benefits from a massive 22-inch curved OLED display that stretches across most of the dashboard, and flows into the instrument panel, providing the driver with digitised speedometer and powerplant telemetry.

Perhaps more innovative still is the use of a new multi-function input system, comprises a regular controller dial with four polished metal "string" inlays. These strings run the length of the car, for use by all four passengers, and take advantages of capacitive touch technology allowing users to adjust functions such as heating, cooling, communication and entertainment.

Once activated, the strings bring up a secondary "miniview" screen that won't distract the driver.

GV80 Concept Interior Rear

Whether this unique input system makes its way into the production vehicle remains to be seen, but it's also joined by voice, handwriting and regular touchpad input methods.

The Genesis car company boss, Fitzgerald, said this latest concept was a no-brainer for the New York motor show.

"There is a unique energy and diverse global culture to New York that is fitting for Genesis, and we are excited to unveil the GV80 Concept here," he said.

"This concept is an important milestone for the brand to share our vision of the future, introducing a further expansion of our product portfolio."

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