Genesis X Convertible Concept Wows the Crowds with Sleek, Minimalist Design

• Genesis X Convertible Concept stars at the Los Angeles auto show.

• The convertible is the third in a trilogy of concepts that show the brand's possible future design directions, and also show that EVs can be cool.

• No specifics were given on the powertrain, except that it would be electric.

It takes a lot to draw a crowd in Los Angeles, but there on the beach in Malibu a crowd gathered to see the new Genesis X Convertible Concept, a four-seat electric car that may or may not see the light of day.

Passersby on the beach, seemingly every journalist in town for the L.A. auto show, and even a neighbor—a genuine movie star more likely to be seen driving an Aston Martin and fighting bad guys—all came out to ogle the new Korean cruiser.

“The venue was a natural choice as California leads the U.S. in adoption of electric vehicles and its temperate climate allows year-round enjoyment of the convertible vehicle format,” Genesis said.

The concept is, in theory at least, powered by electricity. In reality this concept, like many throughout automotive history, has to be pushed around gently to get it into place. Nonetheless, the idea was to show that electric cars don’t have to be simply utilitarian appliances. They don’t have to be bland crossover utility vehicles, even though those sell the best. They can look cool and maybe even sexy. Yes, I said it, sexy.

“If somebody believes that electric vehicles cannot be sexy, Genesis will demonstrate the opposite,” said Luc Donckerwolke, the brand’s Belgium-bred head of design. “All the cars from Genesis will have a high degree of emotionality and attractivity. In a phase where a lot of people are still looking to understand if an electric vehicle should be part of their daily driving, we offer this proof.”

The convertible is the third in a trilogy of Genesis X concepts that started last year with the Genesis X Concept, an EV-based GT, and continued with the Concept X Speedium Coupe, a perhaps unfortunately proportioned two-door. Of the three, this one, you could argue, was the most fetching, with its smooth sides lacking even door handles, and with tiny TV-screen cameras for outside rearview mirrors. The shape is unadorned and moving, with rounded boattail-looking flanks, pronounced wheel arches, and even a little ducktail spoiler effect on the trunk lid.

“You are playing on two different characters, athleticism and sportiness, which are antagonists, so that creates a tension, because harmony in itself is sometimes a bit boring, and we really want to create this tension,” Dockerwolke said.