Genesis loves to tease us with an attractive two-door concept, and at this year’s Seoul motor show it has upped the ante with a pair of two-doors.
The X Gran Coupe concept and X Gran Convertible concept show what two-door versions of the flagship G90 limousine – Genesis’ Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival – would look like.
Genesis hasn’t confirmed if these will reach production, though given the previous trio of X grand tourer concepts – the X, X Speedium and X Convertible – have yet to make the transition to production, we won’t hold our breath.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It’s worth noting if they were produced, they’d have virtually no direct competition. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe and convertible no longer exist and the Audi A8 and Lexus LS are sedan-only, leaving the BMW 8 Series coupe and convertible as the most direct rivals.
The Korean luxury brand says they “showcase the brand’s future potential”. The Genesis brand has never offered a coupe nor a convertible, though it does sell sedans, a wagon, and a range of SUVs.
There are the key design cues expected of a Genesis model, including split-level lighting and a crest-shaped grille with mesh inserts.
Genesis says the wide lower air intakes give the cars a sporty look, while the wraparound headlights make them look wider. The company says the fenders have been pushed out, too, for a more aggressive look.
Naturally, the concepts have a more steeply raked windscreen and a lower roof. Both concepts also ditch B-pillars, in the tradition of older Mercedes-Benz coupes, and the windows are frameless.
The convertible features a soft top, and has a belt line extended further back than on the coupe; the coupe has a roof designed to resemble the canopy of sports cars.
At the rear, there are “simplified” tail-lights, flush badging, and a smoother bumper treatment. Chrome trim wraps around the corners, and there are slim square-shaped exhaust outlets.
Both concepts feature a steering wheel with a textured aluminium third spoke, while the front seats include built-in belts and air vents for the rear passengers.
Like the G90 sedan, there are displays on the seatbacks, however, these have been positioned closer to the head restraints.
Both concepts draw heavily on Mediterranean influences.
The X Gran Coupe Concept has olive wood trim, including a backlit graphic resembling an olive branch; olive leaf motifs can also be found on the floor mats.
Genesis has put its money where its mouth is, as the leather trim in the cabin is actually produced using wastewater from Italian olive oil production.
Finally, there’s a fully quilted leather roof, and an overhead console with “new functional enhancements compared to the G90”.
Now, after all those olives, would you care for some wine? Because the X Gran Convertible Concept features an exterior finish “reminiscent of pressed grapes” and an interior colour “that echoes the deep, rich hues of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Livorno region of Italy”.
Crystal details can be found on the steering wheel, climate controls, and centre console. No grapes were used in the production of this interior, by the way.
The new concepts were shown off in Seoul today alongside a half-scale GMR-001 hypercar, with which Genesis Magma Racing will compete in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship and the 2027 IMSA Sportscar Championship.
Genesis says that since it officially launched as a standalone brand in 2015, it has delivered more than 1.3 million vehicles.
While it has never produced a coupe, there was previously a Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Related to the first-generation Genesis sedan not sold here, it was more of a Ford Mustang or Nissan 350Z rival than a luxury grand tourer.
Click on an image to view the full gallery.
