Yahoo Autos Genesis Essentia Concept Wows Lake Como Crowd
It was a late addition to the array of concept cars at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Lake Como: the Genesis Essentia, undoubtedly the star of the New York auto show in April. The official Concorso literature, finalized shortly before the event, instead listed a Lancia Delta two-door hatchback by Automobili Amos, but that car was a no-show.
The Essentia made for a more interesting addition to the design-centric concours lineup, anyway, and it got to strut its stuff under natural sunlight to better effect than could be arranged in the dark cavern that is New York’s Javits Center.
The low-slung two-plus-two is a carbon-fiber monocoque construction; it features butterfly doors and a stunning interior with leather seats up front and velour (it’s back!) upholstery in the rear. Conceptually, the Essentia is designed around a multiple-motor electric powertrain stout enough to push it to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds. Its copper decor alludes to the electric powertrain.
In New York, Genesis chief designer Luc Donckerwolke told us that the purpose of the Essentia concept is to serve as a “defining icon” in the brand’s quest to epitomize eclecticism and elegance. Will it be built? “We hope,” he said. Series production has become more likely thanks to the positive reactions whenever the Essentia has been displayed: in New York, at the Cannes film festival, and now in Como. But it has not yet been decided.
Where would it fit into the Genesis lineup? The brand’s future product plan includes three sedans, two SUVs, and a coupe. Specifically, the sedan lineup will consist of the 2019 G70 due this summer, the G80 (to be replaced in two years), and the G90 (to be face-lifted extensively within less than a year). The first SUV will be the impressive GV80, derived from last year’s New York show car and slated for a 2020 market launch. The GV80-“more mature than the concept and with a bit more of an SUV character”-will be followed by a smaller SUV.
And the coupe? Thus far, that slot was reserved for a classic rear-wheel-drive two-door sports coupe with a gasoline engine. But it may be replaced by the Essentia, especially if electric technology, and sales, take off. Genesis realizes that the present appeal for BEVs is still limited to a few markets. “But the world is changing fast,” said Donckerwolke.
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