Hyundai's luxury Genesis brand entered the market with two impressive sedans -- the G90 and G80 -- and the company's latest concept car from the 2017 New York Auto Show is here to confirm that the Korean company is set to keep its promise and release four more vehicles by 2020. Dubbed GV80, Genesis' new concept is the first SUV to wear the badge and previews a competitor for the BMW X5.

Described as a vehicle that "strikes a perfect balance between elegance and versatility," the GV80 is a rather sporty proposition and represents a significant departure from Genesis' current design language. “The GV80 Concept is an SUV that alludes to the confidence and evolution of the Genesis brand – its design is timeless, with an understated yet dynamic overall surface complexity,” said Head of Genesis design, Luc Donckerwolke.

Alongside the exquisite exterior design, the concept car also features an innovative infotainment display, as well as a hydrogen propulsion system. The latter remains a mystery, unfortunately, but it's a sign that Hyundai's alternative drivetrain tech will soon find its way into Genesis products.

Updated 08/23/2017: We added a series of images taken during the 2017 Monterey Car Week.

Continue reading to learn more about the Genesis GV80 concept.

2017 Genesis GV80 Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Genesis GV80 Concept
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

Much like any modern concept SUV, the GV80 was designed with sportiness in mind. The big Genesis crest grille with diamond motif mesh is flanked by super slim headlamps with jewel-like graphics, a combination that results into an aggressive appearance. The sporty front end is enhanced by the deeply cut outlets in the bumper, but the raised engine hood also contribute to the angry display. The latter features reminds of Bentley's current designs, but Genesis' layout looks much better.

Onto the sides, the GV80 combines the athletic looks of an SUV with the features of a sporty grand tourer. The beltline is a smooth arch that sits higher below the front door window and descends toward the front and rear fascias. Arguably the most spectacular feature is the deeply sculpted dent above the side skirt, which also forms some kind of vent toward the front wheel. This is a design element usually seen on supercars and it reminds me of the original Dodge Viper or the Shelby Cobra and its side-mounted exhaust pipes. Finally, the roof is heavily raked toward the rear, which combined with the almost transparent B- and C-pillars and the massive, 23-inch wheels further enhance the GV80's sporty appeal.

Around back, we have slim taillights that almost mirror the LED units up front. The tailgate has a clean design disturbed only by the "Genesis" lettering, with the license plate recess placed in the bumper. A subtle diffuser-like element and slim vents on each side complete the look. Genesis says that the vents cool the "alternative propulsion system," which explains why there aren't any exhaust pipes.

The concept SUV is finished in Ice Granite, a custom dark silver paint.

Interior

The interior focuses on simplicity, with a bridge-type dashboard creating a spacious ambiance from side to side. The two-tone unit is almost devoid of buttons and knobs, but features a curved, 22-inch display toward the windshield. The screen cascades into the instrument cluster, which combines a classic speedometer with a digital display for extra information. The 22-inch display comes with two distinct areas, enabling both the driver and front passenger to access the infotainment system and all the features that come with it.

The concept also gained an innovative Human Machine Interface with a new multi-function interactive controller with capacitive touch. The top of the interactive multi-function controller features a concave gorilla glass touchpad and knurled metal wheel with handwriting recognition as another method for interacting with the informational panel. Through touch control, each metal string allows direct access to functions like navigation, entertainment, communication, and environment. By tapping these metal strings, passengers gain separate control of a mini-view on the right side of the display without disturbing the driver.

All these high-tech features are backed by a beautifully crafted interior designed with high-quality materials. Genesis used semi-aniline leather with quilted diamond stitching on the door panels, seating surfaces, and center console, as well as "architexture" suede on the dashboard. The center console and floorboards are made of ash wood, which is usually found in very expensive luxury cars, often with a Rolls-Royce badge.

Drivetrain

The GV80 concept gets its juice from an "advanced plug-in hydrogen fuel cell," but Genesis did not release any specific data. It may sound fancy, but Hyundai is no stranger to hydrogen propulsion, already selling a version of the Tucson (ix35) SUV using this technology. What's more, similar Hyundai concepts from the past had a theoretical range of more than 350 miles. On the other hand, the production version of the GV80 will probably arrive with a more conventional gasoline unit at first. The 5.0-liter V-8 is a solid option, but Hyundai's next-generation hydrogen drivetrain will find its way into the SUV in a few years.

Conclusion

While there isn't much to say about the GV80's performance, the design Genesis came up with for this SUV is absolutely amazing. And the fact that the Korean brand crafted a brand-new styling language after just a couple of years on the market makes it that much more spectacular. Needless to say, the GV80 isn't the first SUV to sport such an aggressive design, but its cues are definitely unique and quite fresh compared to everything else on the market. It remains to be seen whether the production model will be as spectacular, but this concept will probably live on as one of the most beautiful designs unveiled this decade.