Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept: My Favorite Vehicle from the 2023 New York International Auto Show

You asked for this video, so here it is the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept in all of its Magma Orange glory.

With the unveiling of the GV80 Coupe Concept for the 2023 New York International Auto Show, Genesis has caused quite a stir yet again. This four-door, four-seat SUV serves as yet another reminder that the Genesis brand is here to win. Luxury SUV coupes are more a statement piece than an actual practical vehicle, and this GV80 Coupe delivers with its bright pearl orange pain and striking looks. This thing is all spectacle. Genesis says that this serves as a “statement of intent” for the future of the brand. Hinting at more emotional and performance-oriented models, it also materializes the Genesis brand’s design philosophy while emphasizing its athletic attributes. However, this SUV-coupe concept isn't an entirely new idea.

SUV-coupes have been a rising trend among luxury car manufacturers, with Mercedes, BMW, and Audi all jumping on the bandwagon with their GLE Coupe, X6, and Q4 Sportback, respectively. These models have redefined the traditional definition of an SUV, with their sloping rooflines and sporty design elements that do their best to mimic the look of a coupe. This trend has been driven by the desire of luxury car buyers to have a vehicle that combines the practicality of an SUV with the sporty feel of a sports car.

Genesis is taking this trend to the next level with its GV80 Coupe Concept. It combines an SUV’s practicality with a sports car’s dynamism. The front fascia sports the Double G-Matrix Patterned Crest Grille surrounded by quad lights, which have evolved from multi-lens array technology to seamless light performance. Cooling is optimized by four slots within the bumper that reduce shadowed thermal flow. The look is very familiar for fans of Genesis, and softens some of the harder edges on the production, three-row GV80 SUV. This looks much more like a child of the GV70 and GV60 than it does a modified GV80.

The GV80 Coupe Concept’s rear-wheel-drive platform provides the basis for its long hood and generous dash-to-axle proportions. These refined proportions are further emphasized by the “anti-wedge parabolic line”. It is complemented by the “muscular blisters” and fenders that contrast with the vehicle’s elegant coupe silhouette. The model’s bold design is also emphasized by its Magma exterior color, which was inspired by the brand’s Distinctly Korean ethos. While describing the color, Donckerwolke said: “The color symbolizes the self-confident and passionate attitude of Korea. There is a quiet, efficient, disciplined, and humble first impression soon contrasted by a high-performing and extroverted attitude.”

The GV80 Coupe Concept’s darker interior contrasts Genesis’ vibrant exterior and emphasizes the elegant “Beauty of White Space” philosophy and its athletic attributes. The three-spoke steering wheel plays an important role in emphasizing the sportiness of the GV80 Coupe Concept’s interior, which contrasts black Nappa and suede leather with plaid double stitching, orange piping, and carbon fiber weaves on the functional surfaces. Where the exterior was loud, Magma Orange with black accents, the interior is the inverse, though the backs of all the seats covered in matching orange definitely make a statement.

Four bucket seats provide increased body support during cornering, contributing to passenger safety and comfort, while the carbon fiber backrest, painted in body color, further accentuates the GV80 Coupe Concept’s extroverted character. The structural stiffness of the body is reinforced with a G-Matrix strut brace behind the bucket seats.

The GV80 Coupe Concept confirms Genesis’ commitment and ambitions to deliver innovative luxury products with bold, emotional resonance. It also highlights the rising trend of SUV coupes in the luxury car market. With brands Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and now Genesis all jumping on the bandwagon, it’s clear that the trend is here to stay. The desire of luxury car buyers to have a vehicle that combines an SUV's practicality with a coupe's sporty feel is driving this trend, and we can expect to see more exciting SUV-coupe concepts from these luxury car manufacturers in the future.