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Volvo: Safety Beyond the Star RatingsSneak Peek: Genesis GV80 Coupe
The future looks fast and functional as Genesis unwraps its GV80 Coupe at the New York Auto Show.
A New Face for Fast SUVs
Over the last decade, Genesis has gone from a company that didn’t even exist to one that’s now proudly taking big swings at stealing customers from some of the world’s most established luxury brands.
At this year’s New York Auto Show, it debuted another big step forward. Dubbed the GV80 Coupe Concept, this four-seater SUV looks like it’s aimed squarely at heavy hitters like the Porsche Cayenne, the BMW X5 M, and the Audi RSQ8. What’s perhaps most shocking is that Genesis seems intent on putting this sleek SUV into production sooner rather than later.
Exterior
Outwardly, the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept clearly takes its cues from the X Speedium Concept. To that end, it features a full-length LED light bar in the rear, wrap-around lighting on both ends and a sleek sloped rear half. Two different wings sit on that end as well with one just above the rear window and another on the decklid.
The body is closer to the ground than it would be with a normal GV80 as well. The concept seems to eschew any sort of functional headlight in favor of daytime running lights but it’s worth noting that all lighting elements, including those on the quarter panels, illuminate fully when on. As fast-looking SUVs go, the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept is about as good as it gets.
Interior
Slip into this sleek shape and you’ll find a redesigned steering wheel and four bucket seats in total. Each one comes with body-color-matched painted carbon fiber backrests, quilted leather upholstery, and what looks like very limited adjustability.
In an effort to improve handling, the interior also gets cross-bracing between the C-pillars. While Genesis hasn’t said anything official, we expect the final car to end up with a traditional hatchback rear end and decent cargo space.
Genesis GV80 Coupe Production
Speaking of production, that’s right, the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept is going to end up on American roads sooner rather than later. Speaking at the New York Auto Show one Genesis official said of the concept “it is a statement of intent for more emotional, performance-oriented models and a preview of Genesis’ future programs.” Beyond that, pre-production test versions have been seen around the globe as Genesis works to iron out any issues with the car and homologate it for global sales. What we really can’t be sure of for now are specifics surrounding timing and the drivetrain.
It seems logical that Genesis will try to begin production before the end of the year but when it shows up in America is anyone’s guess. Additionally, we expect Genesis to ship the GV80 Coupe with the same two engines it uses for the normal GV80. That consists of a 300-hp four-cylinder engine and a 375-hp six-cylinder engine. Hopefully, the good folks at Genesis will see fit to put something even spicier under the hood. That’ll be the only real way to compete with the likes of Porsche, BMW, and Audi.
