Genesis New York Concept

Hyundai’s new upscale Genesis division took the wraps off a concept that expands on its design direction as well as forwarding the idea that it will produce sporty luxury vehicles with an environmental bent. The Genesis New York Concept embodies the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” approach to styling first seen in the Vision G concept car.

“The New York Concept is a progressive concept car that showcases the design quality of the brand,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, who heads Genesis. The design “characterizes Genesis products and will continue to do so for future models that come from our luxury brand.”

The approach involves combining simple, yet powerful forms that incorporate a classic long hood and a short rear deck proportion to give the car its athletic presence. It has a bold, upright grille flanked by sleek, horizontal LED headlamps. Air ducts below the lamps channels flow through the pronounced front wheel arches, which add to the car’s muscular looks.

Sleek profile

A tapered greenhouse gives this one-off a sleek profile that flows cleanly thanks to flush-mounted door handles into a low, tapered rear deck enhanced by slim, elongated taillamps. Integrated vents in the hood, fenders and quarter panels help improve the car’s aerodynamic performance, while a touch of elegance is added by copper-colored inlays on the bumper fascia and lower sills that contrast with the car’s ceramic blue paint scheme.

In the cabin, the design team took a new approach to the layout by using a 21-inch floating curved screen to incorporate the driver instruments and infotainment functions. The digital display is complemented by traditional analog gauges mounted in a convex shape ahead of the driver. This contrast between that surface and the concave sweep of the center screen along with the open steering wheel, gives the cockpit an airy, expansive feel. The cabin itself features seating for four in rich, tan leather seats. Suede covers the headrests while copper-colored mesh and inlaid aluminum accents echo the contrasting exterior color scheme.

Hybrid underpinnings

While the design is a precursor of future styling themes from Genesis, the mechanical package also foretells the division’s approach to performance. Characterized as a sport sedan, the Genesis New York Concept is also a fuel-efficient hybrid that matches an electric motor and battery pack with a 2.0-liter direct injection gasoline 4-cylinder engine to produce 242 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That combo delivers its output through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Beyond those numbers, there were few details on which wheels are being driven or whether or not the platform and hybrid drivetrain would be shared with the Hyundai Ioniq, which also made its North American debut at the New York show.