Don’t expect it to make production though.
The first day of an auto show is always the most hectic. Everyone wants to be one of the first big unveils of the day, and large schools of pressmen are herded from one stand to another, and treated to broadly the same drivel about how some new car (concept or otherwise) moves the brand/segment/industry on in some hitherto unimaginable way.
Nascent Korean luxury marque Genesis, born from Hyundai, cannot claim distinction here either, because towards the end of opening day at the New York International Motor Show, they decided to pull the wraps off this, the sleek Essentia concept car, which packs an advanced “multi-motor” electric drivetrain and is claimed to be able to hit 100km/h from rest in just 3-seconds.
In essence (pun intended), the Essentia is a two-door large grand-tourer that uses carbon fibre extensively throughout its construction, and houses a powerful zero-emissions electric powertrain under the skin. It also features some innovations lifted from Formula 1, like inboard pushrod suspension up front, and an internal structure that looks broadly similar to the general outline of the premier open-wheel racers.
Among what hides that design includes the new “Crest Grille” which looks like a more extroverted interpretation of the brands’ already diamond-ish grille. That grille is also flanked by four light ‘strips’ on either side, that are said to feature laser-optic technology, allowing them to sit flush with the bodywork and occupy very little space, without compromising the obvious requirements of an exterior light.
There’s a transparent bonnet behind those lights, while behind that, you’ll find a sleek, raked windscreen and a ‘bubble’ roof, which looks refreshingly retro while not being not-contemporary. There are butterfly doors that open using facial recognition and fingerprint controls, because keys are so 2008.
The cabin is an exercise in minimalism, with a unique steering wheel and plush leather dominating the landscape. But they dominate only as long as you don’t notice the full-width screen that stretches, uh, across the width of the car, integrating rather nicely with the 8.0-inch instrument display that sits ahead of the steering wheel. The rear-view mirror has also been integrated into this enormous display, again as an exercise of minimalism.
There’s no mention of what lies under the skin, save for the rather early mention in the press release about a “multi-motor” electric setup. What we do know is that it must pack one hell of a battery, because not only can it do the century sprint in 3-seconds, but it can also go as far as 373km on a single charge and top out at 268km/h.
For more information on Genesis, you’ll have to visit our Hyundai showroom for the time being.
