GENESIS HAS BEEN BUSY showing off some very tasty concepts of late, but the latest takes the cake for the silliest name. The Genesis X Speedium Coupe is a concept car incorporating Genesis’ DNA (Audacious, Progressive, Distinctly Korean) – their words, not ours! And read on; it gets worse…, while looking ahead to the next wave of EVs, highlighting Genesis’ future as a true luxury electric vehicle brand.
The Genesis X Speedium Coupe was born out of a “freestyle” design exercise based on the Genesis X Concept led by the 2022 World Car Person of the Year, Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. It inherits the timeless Genesis’ design philosophy, “Athletic Elegance,” in an even more progressive way.
The name Speedium was inspired by the passion for motorsports felt by Genesis designers at the Korean racetrack. The name also encapsulates Genesis’ belief that the emotional value of driving will remain strong in the era of electrification. The addition of the word “coupe” further accentuates the enjoyment of driving through aesthetic designs.
Genesis followed the principle of reductive design, or “less is more,” for the concept car. The Genesis X Speedium Coupe stands out for its restrained elegance, clean lines, and subtle curves.
X Speedium Coupe challenges the status quo of a defined car type. It is not a conventional concept car that previews plans for the production line-up.
“This car is an open-door moment in Genesis’ journey towards our future EV design,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “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.”
On the front of the vehicle, Genesis’ signature Two Lines lamps have evolved into a full-width element that encompasses the shape of the crest resembling the Genesis Crest Grille. It was designed to carry the brand signature of the wing face for the electrification era by integrating the daytime running lamps with the low beam and high beam together. It carries an EV face that symbolises Genesis’ transformation towards becoming an all-electric car brand with a six-model line-up by 2030.
From an overhead perspective, the hourglass silhouette highlights the car’s passion and character. The curvaceous and sensuous form accentuates the wheel arches creating muscular presence.
Viewed from the side, the Parabolic Line extending from the front to the rear of the car maintains a certain tension in the design as a classic car would. The deliberate “anti-wedge” design culminates in a streamlined look that exudes understated elegance.
Meanwhile, an elliptical tail balances out the look for a visually engaging tension between convex and concave surfaces in the rear. The V-shaped brake lights interrupt the circular shape by producing the striking contrast that is one of the hallmarks of a Genesis vehicle.
“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.”
The concept’s metallic emerald green shade is referred to as “Inje Green.” As expected of a car that was inspired by a Korean racetrack, the colour encompasses the mountainous landscape where the track is located, completing the image of a classic car that embodies dynamism, speed, and timeless elegance.
Looking ahead to electrification in the U.S.
Genesis has experienced significant growth in the U.S. market, achieving monthly sales records for the past 16 consecutive months as of March 2022. The brand recorded over 11,700 car sales in the first quarter of 2022, the largest quarterly sales achievement since its foray into the U.S. market in 2016.
To build on its success, Genesis plans its first EV production, and begin sales push, within the U.S. market.
Genesis announced that the Electrified GV70 will be its first vehicle produced in the U.S. at its manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The GV70 is poised to set the new standard for luxury electric SUVs. Production is scheduled to begin in December this year with the goal of strengthening Genesis’ EV market position and continuing its commitment to electrification.