Genesis could tackle Defender with luxury off-roader

West Australian

24-04-2025

After launching only with sedans, Korean luxury brand Genesis has been busily rolling out SUVs – and its latest concept car could be among its upcoming new models.
'The X Gran Equator is a new potential addition to a lineup which is already quite big,' Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke told Australian media at this month's New York motor show.
'In a couple of years we have reached a family of SUVs… We have shown last year there's another one coming, a flagship SUV, very soon,' he added, referring to the upcoming GV90 previewed by last year's
Neolun concept
.
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.
'Now the question is: how do we position the Gran Equator within this lineup? How do we ensure there's not going to be an overlap or cannibalisation between those vehicles?
'I do believe there's room for that.'
Once the GV90 is launched, Genesis will have four SUVs: the small, electric-only
GV60
; the mid-size
GV70
, available with combustion or electric power; and the large, combustion-powered
GV80
, which is expected to be among the first Genesis models to get the brand's upcoming 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain.
These SUVs complement the mid-size
G70
sedan and wagon, the large
G80
sedan, and the flagship G90 limousine offered overseas – the latter of
which could spawn coupe and/or convertible variants
.
Genesis hasn't released powertrain details for the X Gran Equator concept, nor has it released dimensions.
However, it's clearly on the larger side, particularly with that lengthy bonnet.
While its chunky Ridge Grappler LT315/45R24 tyres wrapped around huge 24-inch wheels point to a level of off-road ability, the X Gran Equator's long bonnet and two-row seating configuration – if not its squared-off lines – call to mind sleek, more coupe-like SUVs like the defunct Infiniti QX70.
Mr Donckerwolke said the X Gran Equator concept isn't a flight of fantasy, and is technically feasible.
'Basically, the Gran Equator was designed by my team in a very short time. Like all the other projects, I make sure that because of my engineering team being involved in the project that all those projects are feasible, that we don't have to face any big hurdles if we have to realise that would basically make the project unsuitable,' he said.
'From the technical point of view, the platform works, the technical side works, now it's obviously the demand.'
Mr Donckerwolke told media in New York that between the show and the concept's unveiling at the Genesis House retail location the night before, it had already received a positive reception internally.
'Everybody has called and asked, 'When can I have it?'. All the regions have been. I think this is a big progress,' he said.
'It's plugging into the SUV emotion, it's going back to the off-road capability that actually makes those SUVs genuine and authentic.'
While it has key Genesis design cues like its Twin Lamp split-level lighting, it doesn't simply look like a smaller or larger version of any existing SUV from Hyundai's premium brand.
'It has its own character… We don't want to do the Russian dolls. All the cars have their own characters, their own specific tailored design,' said Mr Donckerwolke.
Unique details on the concept's exterior include a split-opening tailgate, and four individual sunroofs.
Inside, Genesis designers went for a mixture of analogue and digital design elements.
There's no touchscreen – an omission that would surely be rectified with a production version – but there are four discrete digital dials said to be inspired by the dials of vintage cameras.
There's a crystal-look rotary controller similar to that in the GV60, while some of the switchgear on and around the steering wheel is reminiscent of that in current Genesis models.
The swivelling front seats are unique to the X Gran Equator, however, as are the chunky grab handles on either side of the centre stack and rear centre console.
The cabin has a two-tone colourway, while the upholstery has a diamond pattern – another example of Genesis' G-Matrix patterning.
Genesis says its concept 'marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience', though it hasn't shared any technical specifications of the vehicle, such as dimensions or powertrain type.
The luxury brand's concepts usually lead to production vehicles, with the exception of its various two-door coupe and convertible concepts – none of which, thus far, have entered production.
MORE:
Genesis X Gran Equator is a rugged off-roader, but will you be able to buy it?