If Genesis Boss Has His Way, the Essentia Concept Will Make it to Production

TopSpeed

By Robert Moore

Published Apr 3, 2018

How Much of its DNA will carry over, on the other hand, is questionable

When Genesis pulled the covers off of the Essentia Concept, it was received very well – so much so that it was covered to death by every outlet under the sun. Of course, the big problem was that it’s just too conceptual to ever go into production, or at least that’s what everyone thought. As it turns out, Genesis boss, Manfred Fitzgerald, is actually pushing for it and even admitted that its debut at the New York Auto Show is being used to “test the waters.”

Will the Essentia Concept Go Into Production?

Whether or not the Essentia Concept can move into production depends largely on the bean counters over at Genesis. Manfred Fitzgerald, Global Head of Genesis, Said, told Motor Trend that he’s pushing for it, but “it’s not approved for production yet.” He continued, “we’re testing the waters here.”

That’s cool and all, but there’s a problem. Outside of the fact that concepts like this never make it into production, sits the little problem that the Essentia is a one-off concept, so it doesn’t ride on a new or existing architecture. Fitzgerald did say that almost everything on the Essentia is technically feasible and that that it could go into production by 2021 or 2022. That’s a tall order for a vehicle that looks like this, let alone a one-off concept. Not to mention the fact that it had carbon fiber bodywork and a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.

That that said, it’s more likely that Fitzgerald is having pipe dreams. Even if the Essentia is green-lighted for production, it’ll more than likely be small parts of the concept carried over to other models in the lineup. Genesis has plans to build a successor to the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, but that’s said to be heavily influenced by the G70. Come cues from the Essentia could carry over though, and it could even sport the Essentia name. It definitely won’t be as supercar-ish or as luxurious on the inside, but the blend between interior and exterior will certainly happen as will the design of the front and rear end. As for those butterfly doors, though, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

What do you think? Could the Essentia be successful as a production model on its own? Or is Genesis better off spreading some Essentia love across its lineup of future models? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.