Genesis pulled the sheets off of the Essentia electric concept car at the 2018 New York Auto Show. As you might expect, the Essentia was in its own element as one of the few concept cars to make it to the Big Apple. It was in attendance to showcase what a future, Genesis-badged electric car could be in the future. Just don’t get too excited about seeing a production version of the Essentia. It’s probably not happening, though the technology it comes with could evolve into something that Hyundai’s luxury brand can use down the road.

The Genesis Essentia Concept has the makings of an all-timer. It’s the luxury brand’s first-ever attempt at a concept, and as far as first impressions go, the concept delivered the goods. There’s a lot to like about it, not the least of which is a body made largely from carbon fiber. The monocoque structure and chassis are also made from the lightweight material, helping the concept keep its weight down.

Genesis said that the concept also features a number of electric motors that can help it accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds. There are no specific details on the exact power and performance numbers, but that’s to be expected considering that we are dealing with a futuristic concept car that likely has no shot at ever making it as a production model.

That’s where we should be careful about setting expectations on the Essentia. As revolutionary as it looks and as intriguing as it sounds as a future Genesis model, there’s very little about it that can really translate into a future Genesis model. Think about it. Do you think a 50-inch roofline makes sense on a production Genesis? How about the GT-styled cabin that looks more like something you’d see in Tron? There may be certain elements that can be loosely translated into a future production model, but as far as the concept’s notable design highlights, don’t put any money on it.

Even Manfred Fitzgerald, the global head of Genesis, understands the objective of the Essentia Concept as nothing but an interpretation of what a future all-electric Genesis GT model could look like if the automaker decides to go that route. “We understand our obligation as a luxury car manufacturer to create objects of desire, sparking passion and inspiration by emphasizing a culture while exceeding expectations in terms of technology and connectivity, bringing our outside world seamlessly to the inside of the vehicle,” he said. “This is what the Genesis Essentia Concept is all about, and we are thrilled to introduce our interpretation of an all-electric, two-door Gran Turismo here in New York.”

By all accounts, Genesis succeeded in its objective. The Essentia Concept was showcased in New York, and it’s getting a ton of favorable reactions. There is a part of me that wishes it were possible for the concept to move over to production. It’s that captivating. But, if you’ve been around the industry long enough to know what these concepts are for, you’ll know that there’s little to no chance that Genesis is going to go completely out of its own element this early in its life as Hyundai’s luxury division. Maybe it’ll happen years from now when the company is established enough as a brand that it can steer its own future without help from its parent company.

But in the next few years? Don’t get your hopes up.

References

The Genesis Essentia Concept Is The Outrageously Gorgeous EV Concept We Need

Read more Genesis news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.