Wild Genesis X Skorpio Concept off-roader breaks cover
Korean brand reveals wicked purpose-built off-road prototype to take on Porsche and LamborghiniThe News
The Genesis X Skorpio Concept has been unveiled, with the wild desert-slaying off-roader entering the same rugged, high-performance space occupied by the likes of the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, though it remains a one-off development vehicle for now.
The Key Details
- Tested in the Empty Quarter desert in the United Arab Emirates
- Built around a tubular frame with an integrated roll cage
- Powered by an 820kW/1152Nm petrol V8
- Fitted with 18-inch beadlock wheels and 40-inch off-road tyres
- Concept only – not intended for production
The Finer Details
Genesis has revealed its X Skorpio Concept, engineered specifically for high-speed off-road driving, with development and testing carried out in the Rub’ al Khali desert.
Powered by a V8 engine outputting a whopping 820kW and 1152Nm, the extreme off-road concept features motorsport-grade Brembo brakes and a structural package designed to withstand repeated heavy impacts in harsh conditions.
“The X Skorpio concept is an extreme off-road vehicle designed to be driven across the toughest and harshest terrain,” Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke said.
The model is built around a tubular frame with a full roll cage, reinforced underbody protection and geometry tailored for steep approach and departure angles.
Extreme-clearance suspension, short overhangs and 40-inch tyres were selected to minimise the risk of grounding when travelling at speed over irregular surfaces.
Meanwhile, segmented exterior body panels were incorporated to simplify repairs during off-road use, says Genesis, while a roof-mounted air intake and high-clearance setup support sustained driving in deep sand.
Inside, the concept features fixed grab handles, a steering-wheel-mounted instrument cluster and a sliding display that can be positioned for either the driver or co-driver, integrated within the roll-cage structure.
The raised stance and tyre specification place the X Skorpio Concept in a similar territory to high-performance off-road models likes the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato.
The Road Ahead
While the X Skorpio Concept is not intended for production, the Korean car-maker is using it the concept as a testbed for extreme performance and design testing as part of its broader vehicle program.
Genesis indicated the chassis approach, interior layout and off-road geometry developed for the concept may inform future research and development work across upcoming platforms, although no production plans were announced.
Related: Genesis X Gran Equator concept revealed
Related: Porsche 911 Dakar 2024 Review
Related: Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato 2023 Review
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