NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Genesis Neolun previews GV90 Range Rover rival

The Genesis Neolun concept has been unveiled on the eve of the New York motor show, heralding the Korean luxury brand’s intention to produce a large, luxurious, three-row SUV – the 2025 Genesis GV90 – that has Range Rover in its sights.

Taking its name from the Greek for ‘neo’ and the Latin for ‘luna’ (moon), the new Genesis Neolun concept is said to have been styled under a reductive design mantra, which explains its simple, clean lines and lack of fussy detailing.

Design boss Luc Donckerwolke said his team also drew inspiration from the traditional moon-shaped porcelain jars made in Korea between 1392 and 1910.

The Neolun features a pair of rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors that provide unparalleled access to its luxurious cabin – and might, for once, be kept for the road-going version, with Genesis saying the development of B-pillarless coach doors had “reached a level where its application to production vehicles is now feasible”.

Aiding access further are electric side steps that automatically deploy as the doors open. Once closed they integrate back into the vehicle to provide a smooth, seamless look.

Other notable design elements include twin LED light bars that stretch around the front of the SUV along the front fenders, with the treatment repeated at the rear-end in conjunction with the high-level brake light that looks incorporated within the Neolun’s ‘skin’ in a perforated pattern.

The Neolun has a Midnight Black and Majestic Blue two-tone paint colour, which is said to have been inspired by Korea’s night sky.

The cabin is spacious and luxurious, befitting what’s set to become Genesis’ most expensive model.

Instead of using a traditional blower fan to heat the cabin, the SUV features heating elements that are applied on the dash, door cards, seatbacks and under the floor, radiating heat like in a modern home for a consistent level of warmth.

When the vehicle is parked, the front rows can swivel around, while a large adjustable display screen can unfold from the rear headliner for a cinematic experience.

Employing Purple Silk leather and Royal Indigo cashmere, Genesis says all cabin materials have been dyed using natural organic pigments.

Completing the home-away-from-home experience, there’s even dark-stained genuine wood floor panelling.

Genesis has also fitted an advanced sound system in the Neolun that strategically positions the tweeters, mid-range speakers, woofers and subwoofers in optimum positions to provide a concert-hall-like experience.

One unusual feature is a crystal sphere up front that rotates into a tweeter when listening to music, helping form an “emotional connection with the driver and the car”.

Donckerwolke described the Neolun as the “epitome of timeless design and sophisticated craftsmanship”.

No further details of when we might see a production version of the Neolun have been released, but we expected the GV90 to accommodate up to seven occupants when it reaches production.

There’s no word on whether the GV90 will feature an all-electric powertrain, but it’s highly likely that it could become a twin to the current Kia EV9, sitting on the same E-GMP platform.

That said, the GV90 might also be the first beneficiary of the Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation eM architecture, launching with Level 3 autonomous driving aids.

The Neolun is being shown in New York this week alongside the Genesis GV60 Magma concept, which heralds a high-performance sub-brand targeting BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.

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