Is the X Concept Trilogy of EVs from Genesis winners?
March 2021 Los Angeles California during the great global Pandemic, Genesis revealed the first of their trilogy of EV concepts called the X Concept. Genesis had the following points to be said about this reveal.
- New model presents Genesis’ sustainable luxury in the form of an EV-based high-performance GT coupe concept car.
- Genesis partnered with award-winning director, Jason Bergh, to create the ‘Genesis X California’ film, highlighting the dynamism of California’s car culture, Genesis’ pioneering spirit, and the promise of a sustainable future for all.
Genesis X Concept
This GT (Gran Turismo) concept car uses the Two Lines theme styling that Genesis has become known for and is the future design language of Genesis EV models.
The press release stated that Genesis X is a combination of Genesis and the Letter X, which symbolizes a "hidden hero."
To quote SangYup Lee, head of Genesis Global Design.
"The Genesis X Concept can be described as the ultimate vision of Athletic Elegance, the inherent design language of Genesis," "The signature Two Lines theme and sustainable luxury will be blueprints for the futuristic designs and state-of-the-art technologies that Genesis seeks to adopt in its future models."
From the Two-Lined Quad head lamps to the G-Matrix pattern three-dimensional Crest Grille, the focus is to accentuate the look of the future of electric automobiles that are fun to drive and a desire to own. This flow of design language is to create a sense of unity and flow.
The bottom front air vent intakes feature a thin and sophisticated mesh form that not only creates a sturdy impression, but also helps to cool down the vehicle, facilitating airflow, reducing air resistance, and helping to extend mileage.
The side follows the traditional GT model design with a long hood, short rear, and the two-lined lamps leading to the headlamps and taillights reinforcing the flow of the EV. The arching Parabolic Line that runs along the side, and the fender's maximized volume, create a dynamic and elegant impression while evoking the desire to be driven hard with passion.
The Genesis X Concept is painted in Lençóis blue, a color that Genesis developed, inspired by the lagoons of Maranhenses National Park in Brazil, a place where the lake forms only during the rainy season with an intense blue color due to the geological area.
Inspiring warmth, comfort, and control, the Genesis X Concept features a driver-oriented design, a cockpit that surrounds the driver with all operating systems and displays.
Genesis believes that differentiation of space by coloring the driver's seat in scotch brown and the passenger seat in ocean wave green blue helps to emphasize the car's unique design. The dashboard design for both driver and passenger is to create a sense of enveloping the passengers as well as the driver while using the floating center console to also give a sense of personal boundaries.
The application of Genesis Two-Lines design element is carried out in the slim, indirect air vents that surround passengers, as well as the side window molding, emphasizing the Two-Lines concept, providing a sense of unity with the exterior design.
The Free-Form display, manages various functions such as clusters, navigation and HVAC systems, and the Crystal Sphere Electronic Shift Lever, which integrates driving mode settings, add a high-tech atmosphere to the interior.
Genesis chose to go with an elegant, exposed metal seat frames to create a sense of athletic strength and integrate four-point seat belts into the bucket seats, optimized for driving.
April 2022 New York Genesis Debuts Genesis X Speedium Coupe
Genesis made the following points with this second of three Genesis X concepts reveal.
- The newly unveiled concept reflects Genesis’ principle of reductive design
- Genesis’ wings and Two Lines prominent in the design, while an hourglass silhouette gives the car its muscular presence
- Genesis announced plans to manufacture the Electric model of GV70 in the U.S. locally and roll out Genesis Priority One, a personalized GV60 purchase experience in select U.S. markets
Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis Chief Creative Officer stated the following:
"The Genesis X Speedium Coupe was born out of a “freestyle” design exercise based on the Genesis X Concept." " It inherits the timeless Genesis’ design philosophy, “Athletic Elegance,” in an even more progressive way."
X Speedium Coupe name was inspired by the passion for motorsports felt by the designers at the Korean racetrack. The Genesis X Speedium Coupe stands out for its restrained elegance, clean lines and subtle curves.
Genesis believes that an emotional value of driving will remain strong in the era of electrification, enjoyment of driving a car that can hug the road, carving up the asphalt turn after turn, smoothly transitioning from corner to corner while firmly holding oneself in place wrapped in luxury of sustainable materials.
Genesis X Speddium Coupe is painted in metallic emerald green shade, referred to as "Inje Green". This color is inspired by the Korean racetrack Inje Speedium race circuit, the green color of the area encompasses the mountainous landscape where the track is located. Genesis believes this color completes the image of a classic car that embodies dynamism, speed, and timeless elegance.
Welcome to the Speedium zone, where movement is made without moving.
Genesis X Speedium Coupe was on display at 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, part of the Monterey Car Week. Reception was outstanding by the folks that attended.
Genesis public statement hit the following three points:
- The interior showcases the brand’s “Beauty of White Space” design ethos
- Driver-oriented layout amplifies driving experience for the EV era
- New sound architecture highlights Genesis' attention to detail, amplifying the value of in-car experiences of the future
At the time that the Speedium was revealed in New York, no interior access was available. From the time the car was revealed in NY to the time of showing it at Pebble beach, the interior was developed over those five months by the Genesis design group.
Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke stated the following:
“The X Speedium Coupe was conceived as an internal design exercise that we later decided to reveal publicly. It was nothing more than a hard model built on our Athletic Elegance design identity,” “Given the positive reception it received at the event, we chose to complete the concept and present it to discerning attendees at the Pebble Beach Concours. The interior captures the Genesis brand’s “Beauty of White Space” design ethos, which suits various luxury lifestyles and adds to the appeal of the dynamic GT.”
Genesis had the following statement about the reveal of the Speedium interior.
Quote:
The interior of the Genesis X Speedium Coupe leverages a classic Korean design principle known as “the Beauty of White Space.” Inspired by Korean architecture, this aligns closely with the ideology of reductive design and is expressed though a minimalist and pure form language punctuated by strong design elements.
The asymmetric, driver-oriented layout is a continuation of the theme found on Genesis’ more recent concept cars, in which all the control systems and displays surround the driver. The instrument panel and floating center console wrap around the driver cockpit, amplifying the driving experience in the era of electrification.
This effect is further accentuated by the interior’s contrasting color palette, which clearly distinguishes the driver’s area from the passenger space. The driver’s seating area is set in Pinegrove Green, which perfectly complements the Inje Green exterior. The contrasting Monterey Gold around the driver’s seat—a color inspired by the scenery along the Northern California coast—alludes to the yellow flowers and golden sand found in the region.
In addition, Genesis is exploring the future of audio experiences through a new sound architecture, which blends technology and art while highlighting the brand’s attention to detail. In collaboration with sound mater Guk-il Yu, the head of Metal Sound Design—a company that specializes in high-performance speakers—the X Speedium Coupe features strategically-placed speakers to fill the interior with rich sound.
Tweeters, midrange speakers, woofers and subwoofer are strategically positioned to provide the finest staging sound experience. The aluminum tweeters, which emit high-pitched sounds, were flawlessly crafted with a precision milling method to optimize acoustic performance.
The driver-focused cockpit has a curved OLED display that visualizes the heritage of high-performance cars. The cluster’s GUI includes a center-mounted motor output indicator designed in a “newtro” style, which is a stark contrast to the RPM gauges found in ICE models. The vertical display on the right side of the driver’s seat features an integrated touch display with an optimized UI design. The display includes the start button as well as the multimedia and vehicle control functions.
Genesis made the following statement, Craftmanship that Lives in the Details.
Quoting the press release about the interior:
The X Speedium Coupe’s cargo area features X straps on top of the loading space, a detail inspired by the brand’s unique G-Matrix Pattern that underlines the dynamic coupe experience. This design feature was derived from the Genesis Mint Concept.
Another noteworthy detail is the leather—the material itself as well as its application. The quilted pattern on the leather seats and the door trim gives the impression of a classic sports car. Meanwhile, the steering wheel features cut-off leather that were salvaged from repurposed car seat materials and woven together.
Two types of leather were used in the interior: vegetable-tanned leather and an innovative new breathable grain leather. The vegetable-tanned leather is treated with plant-derived substances—such as citrus fruits and mimosa—and processed without chromium. Compared to ordinary leather, the breathable grain leather used in the upper part of the cabin requires less water and lower levels of chemicals to manufacture. The threads used in the finishing process are made from repurposed plastic, adding to the material’s durability and water resistance factors.
Genesis X Convertible, Completion of an Inspired Trilogy
The Genesis X Convertible completes the X Concept Trilogy and shares its architecture and electric powertrain with the X Concept and X Speedium Coup.
Genesis has demonstrated its electric power vehicle design versatility in this X Convertible and had the following two points to make.
- The interior design takes its inspiration from Korean roof architecture, which is a nod to both the brand’s origins as well as the most important aspect of convertible cars
- Combined with its folding hardtop roof—that integrates transparent moon roofs above the front occupants to provide an open feel even when closed—the architecture and powertrain sets the perfect stage to embrace the thrill of driving
Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer had this to say: “Genesis started life by producing sedans mainly targeting business users. While creating a new, differentiated design DNA, we gradually increased the emotional appeal by applying this DNA to the SUV typology. Now, electric powertrains have given us the perfect scenario in which to enjoy nature, and propelled the brand to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance,”
Genesis stated that the X Convertible Concept has ideal proportions that are complemented by design purity and exemplify the continued refinement in orchestrating design elements that make up Athletic Elegance, a beacon for the Genesis brand.
The X Convertible shares its architecture and electric powertrain with the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe. Combined with a folding hardtop roof, that integrates transparent moon roofs above the front occupants to provide an open feel even when closed. This architecture and powertrain sets the perfect stage to communicate with nature, allowing users to enjoy the environment in a new way, free from mechanical disturbance according to Genesis.
Genesis released the following statement:
"The Genesis X Convertible concept’s long bonnet, generous dash-to-axle, short front overhang, and long wheelbase are drawn rearwards towards the long deck, accentuating its stately yet relaxed poise. The anti-wedge Parabolic Line emphasizes the regal character of the profile, creating tension between the full surfaces through a gently rearward-sloping horizontal belt line, while muscular blisters around the wheels form an athletic ‘Coke bottle’ plan view and integrate into an elegant silhouette when viewed from the side.
The characteristic quad lights—from which Genesis’ Two-Line graphic identity originates—are also present on the X Convertible concept. As in the X Speedium Coupe concept, this graphic identity integrates the new EV face and forms an abstract of the Crest Grille. The cooling function for the powertrain and batteries has been relocated to lower openings in the front bumper.
The rear end of the X Convertible concept features a concave elliptical duck tail intersected by horizontal quad rear lights, as seen on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe concepts. The continuity of the elliptical shape is interrupted and crowned by a V-shape indentation that hints at the crest and wings of the Genesis logo.
The wheels are a combination of Genesis’ G-Matrix pattern orchestrated by an aero dish concave section. The spacers of this aero dish serve to extract heat from the brakes."
Genesis believes they have Captured the Korean Aesthetic Nuances of the Interior with the Exterior and had this statement about that belief.
"
The interior of the X Convertible concept features a driver-centric four-seat asymmetric layout—a consistent theme throughout all recent Genesis concept cars. Its wraparound instrument panel seamlessly integrates with the center console and cocoons the driver cockpit, emphasizing not only its performance-oriented attributes but its connection with the driver.
Inspired in part by traditional Korean roof architecture—a nod to both the brand’s origins as well as the most important aspect of convertibles—the interior design features Giwa Navy and Dancheong Orange colors, which lend the cabin a modern look and feel, befitting the car’s vibrant character.
The primary interior color is Giwa Navy—named after “Giwa”, the roof tiles on Korean houses. Made from recyclable wool fabric, the textured, woven pad graphic wraps around the cabin, contrasting with the smooth and sleek leather surfaces of the seats. Meanwhile, Dancheong Orange—named after the traditional decorative colorings on traditional Korean wooden buildings— serves as a bold accent color, encircling the cabin in a two-line motif and featuring on the stitching of the seats and fabric.
The Genesis X Convertible concept’s exterior is painted in Crane White. White cranes represent nobility and sanctity in Korea, and Genesis wanted to weave these cultural elements into its colorways. The result is an exterior surface coated in white with pearl particles, achieving a luxurious sheen that dynamically frames the contrasting interior."
Genesis believes that the X Convertible Concept is an open-air theater, providing unparalleled sensory experience for all occupants.
With an electric powertrain and high-performance premium sound system, the X Convertible offers freedom of expression and a heightened sensory experience.
Luc Donckerwolke, made this final statement:
“It is the normal development of Genesis to increase the athletic and emotional facet of our design philosophy by creating an emotional trilogy: the X family,” “Innovation is the catalyst to becoming more engaged with the environment around us. We are in the process of transitioning Genesis into a company that will deliver products for customers to enjoy.”
This leaves only one question that needs to be asked, Did Genesis deliver on that belief that these are fun cars that people would want?
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