NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Genesis GV80 Coupe concept revealed

Genesis has debuted its latest “statement of intent for the future” in the form of the 2023 Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept, which the Korean luxury brand says hints at “more emotional and performance-oriented” future models.

And the production version of the big, sleek SUV may arrive sooner than expected given our spy photographers recently snapped a camouflaged GV80 Coupe prototype testing in the arctic circle, suggesting the fastback SUV could be released as part of the GV80’s mid-life facelift.

Inspired by the Genesis X Speedium Coupe of 2022, the GV80 Coupe looks more like an enlarged Genesis GV70 than a swoopy version of the current model, which leads us to think the concept is indeed a direct preview of the upcoming GV80 fastback – or at least a flagship sports version.

Finished in hot orange paint with contrasting black exterior trim finishings, the concept certainly looks angry enough to challenge BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG, with the X Speedium Coupe lending the big SUV elements of its signature front lighting arrangement – specifically the way the headlights/DRLs are continued along the front wings.

This ‘Two Lines’ design cue is continued at the back of the car by a full-width rear lighting signature that also creeps around the sides of the body and aligns with the front lighting elements.

The sense of sportiness is amped up further by the dual roof spoilers and sharp-looking ducktail flick along the tailgate’s leading edge.

A carbon-fibre roof saves weight and undoubtedly adds some bragging rights, while the whole package rides on dark-grey 20-inch five-spoke alloys shod with sticky 255/35-profile Pirelli P Zero tyres – as seen on many Hyundai N performance models.

Behind the simple but aggressive hoops are a huge set of slotted and drilled brake rotors – clear evidence of the GV80 Coupe’s sporting pretensions.

The performance theme continues inside, where – unlike the seven-seat GV80 wagon – the Coupe concept only has room for four occupants. However, each person is treated to their own free-standing bucket seat with harness cut-outs and ‘Magma’ orange carbon-fibre seatbacks.

The orange highlights contrast against the black Nappa leather and suede upholstery, while carbon-fibre trim inserts match the roof and wing mirror caps.

Behind the rear seats is a Hyundai i30 N-style G-Matrix strut brace, while an exclusive three-spoke sports steering wheel is an obvious pointer to the model’s extra athleticism.

“At its inception, the Genesis brand began creating luxury sedans, which evolved into the G70, G80, and G90 models,” said Genesis chief creative officer, Luc Donckerwolke.

“Over the past seven years, we have added more lifestyle-oriented models to the portfolio, such as our GV80 and GV70 SUVs.

“Now we are pushing the envelope with more emotional cars that elevate Genesis’ performance and dynamic attributes.”

There’s been no word yet on what powers the GV80 Coupe concept, but odds are it’s a worked version of the familiar twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 used in the current GV80 and its G80 sedan counterpart.

Harnessed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, power and torque are presently rated at 279kW/530Nm, which roughly lines up with the 2023 BMW X6 xDrive 40i and 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Coupe – both of which will be facelifted in coming months.

But those figures will have to be elevated if Genesis is serious about challenging its chief German rivals including the 2023 BMW X6 M Competition, which packs a 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 – or even the 320kW/560Nm Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, let alone GLE 63 S Coupe’s 450kW/850Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

At the very least we hope the aggro styling and big brake package is supported by an upgraded sports exhaust so the GV80 Coupe concept sounds even half as good as it looks.

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