Genesis coupe, convertible concepts revealed

HYUNDAI luxury offshoot Genesis has notched up ten years of quasi-independence from its parent, and the manufacturer has celebrated double digits in style by revealing today a pair of striking two-door concept vehicles based on its G90 limousine platform.

The concepts, titled X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible, were unveiled at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show and are intended to signal the brand’s evolving design philosophy and its future positioning within the global luxury vehicle market.

Presented as design studies rather than confirmed production models (or even prototypes), the two-door concepts reinterpret the existing G90 four-door sedan—Genesis’ current flagship model for the South Korean, North American and European markets. The G90 is not sold in Australia.

The ‘X’ pair are the latest in a line of concept cars revealed by Genesis in recent years, as the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) subsidiary continues to develop its brand identity through styling and technology showcases. According to the company, the Gran Coupe and Gran Convertible demonstrate its “future position…through distinct typologies.”

Although overall dimensions and platform are shared with the G90, both concepts introduce a series of design changes that distance them from the donor vehicle. Key alterations include a lowered roofline, frameless windows, and a more steeply raked windscreen, creating proportions that recall large American and European two-doors of years past.

In keeping with the brand’s evolving design language, both concepts feature expanded interpretations of Genesis’ signature two-line headlight graphic, alongside a prominent crest grille. The track width has been increased over the G90 necessitating widened guards.

Genesis has not released specifications for the concepts, though both are believed to be powered by the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine used in the production G90 sedan. In highest G90 trim, that engine produces to 305kW and 549Nm with a top speed of 250km/h.

The X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible roll on five-spoke alloy wheel designs specific to each shape, while other external details include aluminium daylight openings in place of blacked-out window trims and extended doors designed to facilitate easier access to the second-row seating area.

The interiors of both concept vehicles are highly stylised and use a range of natural and non-traditional materials. The Gran Coupe cabin is said to be inspired by Mediterranean olives, featuring a combination of green and tan upholstery, while the Gran Convertible references the cabernet sauvignon red grape outside, with a deep grape-blue cabin palette.

The leather upholstery in both cabins is tanned using wastewater from Italian olive oil production, a sustainability initiative Genesis says aligns with its broader environmental strategy. Chrome trim is entirely absent, replaced with alternative finishes. The soft-top Gran Convertible uses open-pore embossed wood in a navy tone, while the fixed-roof Gran Coupe employs natural veneer finishes.

Genesis has also designed new steering wheels for the pair, both featuring a distinctive aluminium third spoke and rotary dials for command functions. The inner rim of the wheel incorporates prominently deviated stitching. Fully quilted leather roof lining continues the interior theme, offering a high degree of material integration.

While the vehicles remain concept studies for now, their proportions and positioning suggest potential rivals could include the Mercedes-AMG GT and SL, BMW 8 Series, and even Porsche 911 variants, should production versions be green-lit.

Genesis is in the midst of expanding its product offering and brand halo activities. The company recently announced its forthcoming “Magma” range of high-performance vehicles, designed to provide a more sporting counterpoint to the current luxury-focused line-up.

Alongside product developments, Genesis will enter international motorsport competition for the first time in 2026 and 2027, fielding entries in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) across eight countries and IMSA Championship in the United States.

To preview that participation, Genesis is displaying a half-scale model of its forthcoming GMR-001 endurance hypercar at the Seoul Mobility Show. The vehicle is expected to represent the brand in top-level prototype competition from next year and is anticipated to form the basis of future Magma performance development.