If Genesis Is "Validating" The Essentia Concept's Chassis, How Long Will It Be Before the Production Version Is Revealed?

The average time needed for the development of a new car is four to six years. We have seen some manufacturers that broke the norm, however. Alfa Romeo only required two years to develop the Giulia. Bugatti needed only six months to build the Centodieci, while Lexus spent eight years developing the LFA. Now, after Genesis announced that it plans to produce the Essentia concept, we were wondering when it will see the light of day.

Introduced last year at the New York Auto Show, the Genesis Essentia Concept is the next logical step in the evolution of the new luxury brand. This is a high-end GT car, crafted to capture the essence of motoring while providing the ultimate in terms of luxury and technology. With a favorable reception from basically anyone in the industry, the Genesis Essentia has some serious potential to become an automotive sweetheart. That is precisely what Genesis, as basically the only proper Korean premium brand, needs the most.

The Genesis Essentia Is Likely To Become an Electric Car, But Some Rumors Suggest It May Be A Fuel-Cell Powered GT As Well

First, let's see some perspective here. The Genesis Essentia is quite a charmer. The Koreans outdid themselves with the design. After all, Genesis' global head of design, Manfred Fitzgerald, commented that almost everything underneath Essentia's skin is technically feasible. Except for the propulsion system. In fact, Genesis is still not sure what to put in this baby. An electric drivetrain? An ICE? A hybrid system?

That's peanuts money for a massive manufacturer, but for Rimac Automobili, well, it allows them to develop a whole set of drivetrains. I remind you that these people work with Pininfarina, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Renault, and Volkswagen (including Porsche). The whole point is that Rimac Automobili can develop drivetrains that cost less. That is why we see so many new electric hypercars appearing. The cost of development, the production, and the marketing of such machines are at an all-time low.

After the tie-up with Rimac Automobili, Hyundai and Kia released the statement noting that they will work together to "develop prototypes for an electric version of Hyundai Motor's N brand mid-ship sports concept car and a high-performance fuel cell electric vehicle." This adds a bit more fuel to the rumors that the limited-production Essentia ends up as a fuel cell vehicle.

I do know a few things, however. First of all, the Essentia will lose the scissor doors. It will also gain "more reasonable" wheels, and maybe even a slightly shorter bonnet. On the other hand, the Essentia will remain as beautiful thanks to the low and swept-back roof and a neat design overall. I think it looks a bit like a car that Aston Martin or Maserati would release. Kudos to Genesis' designers.

Rimac Might Work On The Propulsion System For The Mint Concept

Apart from the Essentia, Genesis has a lot going on right now. Not only does it have to prepare Essentia for limited production, but it is all in with the SUV craze. You can expect it to reveal an SUV based on the Hyundai Santa Fe architecture, but also one based on the G70 platform. With a cool name, and somehow fitting greenish finish, the Mint is a two-door electric city car with a range of 200 miles and frankly gorgeous exterior looks. Rimac Automobili may as well work on the production version of this car instead of the Essentia. Whatever the case, we are in for a rather exciting few years with Genesis.

Conclusion

The Genesis Essentia will reach the streets in two years at best. It will likely become a low-volume GT powered by some alternative propulsion method. Unlike the concept that features 3D printed cosmetic features, carbon-fiber body, scissor doors, and transparent hood, the production Genesis Essentia should dispense with all that. It will offer us something real - like aluminum body panels, less futuristic front lights, and regular doors. Before the Essentia and the Mint, Genesis will likely reveal the SUVs GV80 and GV70.