Genesis unveils electric SUV concept with swivel seats and no B-pillars

Genesis Motors, the luxury vehicle brand owned by South Korean car giant Hyundai, has unveiled two new concept vehicles, a first full-size electric SUV concept, the Genesis Neolun, and a high-performance Genesis GV60 Magma Concept.

As the brand’s first full-size electric SUV concept, the Genesis Neolun Concept is billed as embodying “the ultimate Genesis hospitality behind the wheel with an array of state-of-the-art technological features” and, therefore, is not a technical concept but more an aesthetic concept.

“The Neolun Concept was inspired by Korea’s iconic moon-shaped porcelain jars,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis’ chief creative officer, with the name “Neolun” derived from the Greek “neo,” or new, and the Latin “luna,” which means moon.

“It’s the epitome of timeless design and sophisticated craftsmanship.”

The Neolun Concept’s exterior is supposedly build around the principle of “reductive design” with distinctive coach doors without any B-pillars connecting the body and roof of the car.

Electric side steps are automatically deployed when the doors open and integrate back into the vehicle when the doors close.

The interior of the Neolun is inspired by Korea’s traditional “ondol” – underfloor heating that uses direct heat transfer to heat the underside of a masonry floor using wood smoke.

In the Neolun, wood smoke will presumably be replaced with electricity, which will be used to heat the dashboard, door trims, floor, seatbacks, and console sides.

The front-row seats are able to swivel to face the captain’s chairs in the back, while a flexible display can unfold from the rear-seat headliner. An adjustable 24.6-inch display up front integrates seamlessly into the dashboard while driving so as to help optimise voice command recognition and navigation functionality.

Materials used inside include ‘Royal Indigo’ cashmere, ‘Purple Silk’ leather, and a dark-coloured real wood floor.

Finally, the Neolun Concept boasts a sound system featuring advanced “sound architecture” with speaker placement to create an immersive audio experience and “a concer hall-like feel”.

The Genesis GV60 Magma Concept, however, is a taste of things to come across the company’s complete range of vehicles – a high-performance badge that the company aims to unveil for each production vehicle.

“Genesis Magma presents an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of performance and luxury for new interpretations in high-performance vehicles, with the ultimate goal of developing models exclusive to Genesis,” said Donckerwolke.

“The brand will continue to reveal experimental concepts with careful consideration of both technological and aesthetic elements. While speed and performance are important, the Genesis Magma program will look beyond, prioritizing the driving experience to kindle the joy of sporty driving with effortless comfort.”

Unlike the Neolun Concept, the Magma badged variants are intended to have upgraded technical performance, with improved battery and motor technology – though the company is yet to clarify exactly what form that will take.

The GV60 Magma Concept has been widened and lowered, giving it a more dynamic stance and delivering a lower centre of gravity, while changes to the exterior have been balanced with consideration for the chassis, aerodynamics, and thermodynamics.

A wider and lower main air intake in the front bumper will better cool the batteries, motor, and brakes, while the air curtains enhance the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.

Taking inspiration from the GV80 Coupe Concept and the G80 Magma Special, three stamped holes above the main air intake provide additional cooling, while added canards assist in generating downforce on the front axle.

Enlarged fenders and integrated wheelhouse outlets help reduce kinetic energy and improve brake cooling, while titanium-coloured flow-formed 21-inch wheels feature integrated aero discs, also helping to cool the brakes.

Roof fins have been strategically placed to better control the aerodynamic flow and channel it to the rear wing, generating additional rear downforce.

The distinctive exterior design is mirrored inside with a luxurious and sporty interior, featuring bucket seats with body-coloured seatbacks, upholstered in nappa and suede leather and featuring double-diamond stitching patterns in Magma’s iconic orange and titanium grey.

The GV60 Magma Concept is currently on display at Genesis House New York alongside three other vehicles in the Magma program – the GV80 Coupe Concept, G80 Magma Special, and X Gran Berlinetta Concept.