After the release of the Genesis Concept X Speedium, Genesis has unveiled a totally new vehicle, concisely named the Genesis X Convertible. Genesis was keen to observe the reaction of the present media, and is undoubtedly watching the public’s reaction through articles just like this one. With Genesis lending a listening ear, what do you think? Dope or nope?
Many don’t realize that Genesis, the flagship badge of the Korean Hyundai Group, is already selling two fully electric vehicles. The first is the G80 Electrified, an electric luxury sedan that recently expanded sales operations into a total of 12 states. The second received a similarly narrow release, the GV60 crossover. The G80 was made by adapting the current gas-powered G80, whereas the GV60 was built from the ground up to utilize Hyundai’s E-GMP platform.
The design is unabashedly heavy on lighting strips. The front grille is replaced by the spanning head light bars. These lights continue well past the front fender, and continue again after being interrupted by the tire. The sides of these white lights were shown to change to an amber color during a signal. The rear of the vehicle bears a similar pattern, with the dual red light bars continuing onto the side of the vehicle.
The classic convertible silhouette is a fairly conservative choice for a concept vehicle. One of the few departures from the timeless shape is the rear end, which carries a small spoiler protruding out from the top of the trunk. The trunk edge itself is concave from the side, adding a bit of a butt to the back of the vehicle.
Genesis X Convertible designer
The X Convertible concept was designed in just a few months by auto veteran Luc Donckerwolke. With some internal feedback at Genesis, Donckerwolke began the project this last June. A card stock drawing (seen below) was handed out at the unveiling event, presumably a recreation of an original idea.
During a brief interview, Donckerwolke was short on details for this, or future convertibles from Genesis. When asked about the intended electric options Genesis could be exploring, Donckerwolke responded:
We don’t talk in details about this car yet, in terms of the performance and everything. We’re working on this, this will come with time. At the moment we’re showing the search for an icon for the brand, and this is one of the possibilities.
Electrek’s Take
I like this design. Assuming it’s an EV, I hope Genesis pursues it all the way to production. The EV space is getting representation in more and more segments, and I think it’s about time the convertible market got some “coverage” from a larger model. My dream EV is a big ghetto-blasting DJ Kool Herc convertible with speakers so big they blow a hole in society.
Considering the brand only has a few years of ICE development left, someone is going to be left holding the hot potato. Genesis has three concepts up for adulation right now; the Coupe, the Speedium, and this Convertible. Which of these will be stuck with a gas engine, and which will continue uninterrupted into the modern age?
Sound off in the comments section and let Genesis know what you think.
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Echoing the words of hydrogen critics everywhere, Mahle Chairman Arnd Franz says that building out a hydrogen infrastructure won’t be possible without “blue” H made from fossil fuels.
With that in mind, I don’t want to misrepresent the words of the esteemed Mr. Franz, who claims to be bullish on H’s prospects as a fuel. What I intend to do here, then, is shine a light on the space between Franz’ lines, read whatever’s in there, and then ask if you see what I see.
“We can’t achieve any CO2 emission reductions if you use natural gas or any other fossil sources to produce hydrogen,” Franz is quoted saying. “Today, the overwhelming portion of hydrogen production worldwide is around 90 million tons. That number is going to go up to 130 million tons until 2030. Currently, we have a flourishing and growing portion of that being more sustainable. By more sustainable, I mean blue and, eventually, green hydrogen. In our opinion, [blue hydrogen production is needed] to get the infrastructure going in order to get the ecosystem.”
I read that as saying that, today, there are no carbon emissions reduction benefits from using hydrogen as a fuel, because the overwhelming majority of those 90 million tons is being produced by natural gas and fossil fuels.
What’s more, everyone involved seems to trying to justify that with claims that fossil-generated hydrogen is some kind of “necessary evil” (my words) to build out a viable H ecosystem. See if you hear it, too.
“We will fail [with hydrogen technology] if we don’t use blue hydrogen,” Franz clarified. “Right now, hydrogen is produced from fossil sources with carbon capture, meaning we don’t let the carbon reach the atmosphere. Eventually, we need to get to wind and solar as the sources of energy to make hydrogen, and we believe the US has a really impressive program [thanks to] subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act.”
He was right then, and he’s still right now. “It’s one thing to have the technology and another thing for the technology to be viable,” Vlaskamp told the magazine Expansión (translated from Spanish). “Green hydrogen is not available for transportation and there is no point in switching from diesel to hydrogen if the energy source is not sustainable.”
The UAW union’s Stellantis Council met yesterday to discuss the beleaguered carmaker’s “ongoing failure” to honor the agreement that ended the 2023 labor strike, and their latest union memo doesn’t pull many punches.
In an email sent out by the UAW earlier today (received at 4:55PM CST), UAW President Shawn Fain wrote, “For years, the company picked us off plant-by-plant and we lacked the will and the means to fight back. Today is different. Because we stood together and demanded the right to strike over job security—product commitment—we have the tools to fight back and win … We unanimously recommend to the membership that every UAW worker at Stellantis prepare for a fight, and we all get ready to vote YES to authorize a strike at Stellantis.”
Kia promises the new EV9 GT will have “enormous power,” but that’s not all. For the first time, the Kia EV9 GT was caught with an active spoiler, giving us a sneak peek at potential new upgrades.
The brand’s first three-row electric SUV is already making its presence known in the US, helping push Kia to back-to-back record sales months. Meanwhile, a more powerful, sporty variant is on the way.
Kia confirmed the EV9 GT will top off the electric SUV’s lineup in April. Packing “enormous power,” the high-performance GT model can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 4 secs.
With a “high-output” dual-motor (AWD) system, the EV9 GT can quickly pick up speed despite weighing over 5,000 lbs.
Kia also equipped it with other high-performance features, such as a reinforced suspension and electronic braking system, for better control and stability.
We’ve already caught a glimpse of the performance electric SUV out testing, revealing aggressive new bumpers and wheels. Now, a new design feature has been spotted.
Kia EV9 GT could come with an active rear spoiler
The latest video from HealerTV shows the EV9 GT with what appears to be an active spoiler. As the reporter noted, it could be similar to the one spotted on the Genesis GV70 Magma.
Tesla’s Model X also used to come with an active spoiler until it was dropped a few years back. Although the GT model was spotted with one, Kia could just be testing new features, so don’t get too excited yet.
Earlier this week, a video from HealerTV showed the front row of the EV9 GT, comparing it to the current GT-Line model.
Several differences can be immediately noticed, including a more aggressive, all-black design with a yellow stripe down the center of the seat.
Kia is set to launch the EV9 GT in early 2025. It will rival other performance SUVs like the Tesla Model X Plaid.
Although prices have yet to be confirmed, the GT model is expected to sit above the current GT-Line at $73,900. In comparison, Tesla’s Model X Plaid starts at $94,990 and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 secs.
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