Our SUV-dominated world is a tough place for sedan aficionados but Genesis is here to the rescue. While the South Korean brand will definitely keep making low-slung four-door models in the future, this doesn’t mean it won’t also further expand its current SUV lineup, including a possible addition of a rugged ladder-frame model set to compete with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Those details were shared with Australian media by Luc Donckerwolke, the chief creative officer of Hyundai and Genesis. As reported by CarExpert, Donckerwolke believes that brands who abandon sedans will regret it in time, adding that it’s a mistake to “write off a typology of a vehicle” just because it is easier to sell another one. He also said that brands insisting on making sedans, like Genesis, will eventually benefit from the lack of competition and win a bigger piece of the sales charts.
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While Donckerwolke admitted that he loves high-riding vehicles “from the rugged ones to the sporty ones”, he doesn’t want a “monoculture of SUVs on the streets”. The chief creative officer doesn’t like the fact that some young designers have only worked on SUVs, thus not practicing on proportions and limiting their skills. As far as he is concerned, Genesis and Hyundai will continue to “make sedans and coupes and everything”.
What About New SUVs?
Currently, Genesis has three sedans in its lineup – the G70, the G80, and the G90 flagship, with an equal number of related SUVs and a fully electric two-door convertible reportedly under development. The automaker has just revealed the GV80 Coupe concept, previewing a rival for the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. However, this won’t be the only addition to Genesis’ future SUV range. Luc Donckerwolke hinted about the possibility of a rugged model to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Lexus LX.
Donckerwolke suggested that the Genesis design team is already prepared for such a proposal. The technical base for a G-Class competitor is already there, as a Genesis off-roader could ride on Hyundai/Kia’s upcoming ladder-frame architecture.
Donckerwolke added that the automaker is mainly focused on its current “defined line of vehicles” but they will be discussing “extra satellites” for the future lineup, trying to stay authentic to Genesis values.
