The Genesis Neolun idea previews an electrical SUV flagship, prone to be known as the GV90. In typical concept-car style, the Neolun—that means “New Moon”—has some loopy options. Amongst them is a pop-out roof rack, heated flooring, rotating entrance seats, suicide doorways, and no B-pillar. The kinds of issues that usually by no means make manufacturing, however SangYup Lee, head designer at Genesis, says the automaker is pushing to make this a actuality.
“We do not do a present automotive for present enterprise,” he tells Motor1. “Each factor in design, there’s an engineering examine behind it.”
Placing suicide doorways in manufacturing is one factor. Rolls-Royce has used them for years, and the Ferrari Purosangue has a rear-swinging door, too. However having no B-pillar is one other matter totally. With out that factor, it’s an actual problem to make sure the automotive is stiff sufficient and meets related crash-safety requirements.
Lee says it’s straightforward to do that with a small automotive, citing the outdated BMW i3 for example. It’s a comparatively small opening. “A automotive like this, while you roll, the roof needs to be sturdy sufficient to carry the load,” he explains. “However as I mentioned, by no means say by no means… With out the B-pillar, have a look at how large this house is. Think about while you pull as much as a good looking live performance with a pink carpet, staging door opens, or while you go to the seaside, staging door opens and you’ve got the entire sea in entrance of you.” It’s a beautiful thought.
There are different neat particulars. Lee is especially pleased with lights and badging which might be completely flush with the physique. Run your hand over them, and you’ll’t really feel the place one ends and the opposite begins.
Inspiration for the Neolun got here from Korea’s moon jars, and river stones. Lee typically retains a extremely polished river stone in his pocket, and he needs the surfaces of the Neolun to really feel related. “It is best to have the ability to outline a Genesis automobile even when your eyes are closed,” he says. “That is the way you uncover the Genesis character.”
That interprets to a really easy automobile. There’s hardly any sharp strains or creases to be discovered, in direct distinction with massive SUVs from different luxurious manufacturers. The Neolun, and the eventual manufacturing automotive, are consciously totally different. “This automotive is all about proportion, steadiness and quantity,” Lee says.
Genesis didn’t present a timeline for Neolun manufacturing, however Lee mentioned it would come “earlier than later.” Determine a pair years. Hopefully, all these fancy parts grow to be a production-car actuality.