This Electric Genesis X Gran Equator SUV Thinks It's a Mountain Goat
Image Credit: Genesis.
Genesis, the folks who usually bring us plush city slickers, have decided to get a bit muddy. They've unveiled this X Gran Equator concept at the New York show, and crikey, it's certainly… something to behold. It's all big tires and swooping lines, a bit like a futuristic brick that's been to a rather expensive tailor. They're calling it an "adventure-seeking SUV." Right. Nothing says "roughing it" like a vehicle that probably costs more than my entire house.
Genesis hasn't exactly spilled the beans on all the nitty-gritty bits, but the big clue is that distinct lack of a traditional grille. You see, in the olden days, cars needed those gaping maws to breathe. But with these new electric contraptions, it's all smooth and aerodynamic. So, yes, it's a fair bet this beastie is powered by the electron fairies. And if it's going to tackle anything more challenging than a gravel driveway, you'd expect all-wheel drive to be standard. Perhaps even some fancy torque-vectoring wizardry to stop you from ending up sideways in a ditch. Which, knowing my luck, would be the first thing I'd manage.
Image Credit: Genesis.
And those tires! Good heavens, they look like they've been nicked off a lunar rover. Proper chunky, they are, with a tread pattern that looks like it could grip onto anything short of a greased watermelon. Funnily enough, there's no recognizable brand on the sidewall. Perhaps they're so cutting-edge they haven't even thought of a name for them yet. Or maybe they just don't want to admit where they sourced these monstrous hoops.
They haven't given us the precise dimensions, but they do mention a "very long hood and a big dash-to-axle gap." Now, in the world of petrol-powered behemoths, that usually means a stonking great engine lurking under the bonnet. But here? Probably just a bunch of wires and batteries. Or maybe extra large storage? Still, it gives it a rather imposing stance, makes it look like it's about to pounce, even if the most strenuous activity it'll likely see is navigating the valet parking at a swanky hotel.
Image Credit: Genesis.
The rear end is rather clever, I must admit. That severely sloped window and those hidden rear door handles give the illusion that it's a sporty two-door. Which is a nice touch, even if it's about as practical as a chocolate teapot when you're trying to load the kids and the dog. And the front? Rounded, with these continuous LED strips that wrap around. It's distinctive, I'd say. Whether it's beautiful is another matter entirely. It's the kind of design that will either have you nodding in appreciation or scratching your head in utter bewilderment.
The inside is where things get properly interesting. Massive touchscreens that look like someone's glued an iPad to the dashboard? Oh no, Genesis has gone all analog. Well, sort of. They've got a trio of round displays behind the steering wheel for the important stuff – speed, revs… oh wait, no revs in an electric car, are there? Speed and… other electric-y things, then. And then four more circular screens embedded in the dashboard. Apparently, these are for entertainment, settings, and, crucially, off-road driving information. Circular screens! We are stepping back in time, but with a digital twist. I can't decide if it's wonderfully retro or just plain bonkers.
And if that wasn't enough, there's a four-panel sunroof. One for each of the four lucky occupants. Apparently, sharing a bit of sky is far too pedestrian for the clientele this thing is aimed at. Each to their own, I suppose. Though I can already imagine the arguments over who gets to open theirs the widest.
The rest of the interior is described as a blend of "high-end furnishings with durable-looking elements." So, expect lots of lovely leather and soft-touch plastics, hopefully bolted together in a way that won't disintegrate the first time you venture onto a slightly bumpy road. The light blue and beige color scheme is classy, but since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I'd prefer something a bit less pastel.
Image Credit: Genesis.
Genesis says this X Gran Equator "signals continued expansion into lifestyle-oriented vehicles." Which, if you translate it from marketing speak, probably means they reckon there's a market for people who want a luxurious electric SUV that looks like it could climb a mountain, even if its most challenging off-road experience is likely to be mounting a particularly high curb.
They're being all coy about whether this thing will actually see the light of day as a production model. But they did let slip that elements of this concept will give us an idea of their future design language. Which either means we'll all be driving around in vehicles with circular screens and four-panel sunroofs before we know it, or they're just trying to drum up a bit of excitement.
Image Credit: Genesis.
Personally, I reckon there's a decent chance we'll see something vaguely resembling this on the roads. The world has gone SUV mad, and throwing an electric powertrain into the mix is just the logical next step. Plus, Genesis hinted that this could be a preview of the next-generation GV80. An electric Genesis that thinks it's a Land Rover? It's either going to be brilliant or spectacularly silly. And I'm rather on the fence about which one I'm hoping for.
