Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has an electric newcomer in the development rooms. Given the brand’s ambitions to appropriate a slice of the automotive premium pie in Europe as well, that model could be quite interesting. He can be seen quite well in spy photos.
The Genesis model range currently consists of the G90, G80 and G70, successively rivals of the BMW 7 Series, 5 Series and 3 Series. Genesis also has two SUVs: the GV80 and the GV70. A model that is smaller than the G70 does not have the brand yet and a fully electric car is also missing from the model range. Genesis will soon solve this in one fell swoop with an electric car that internally goes through life with the designation ‘JW’. You should consider the model as a more luxurious sister model of the upcoming Ioniq 5 and the new EV from Kia that is also to be revealed.
Just like the Ioniq 5 and the new electric Kia, which is currently designated as ‘Futuron’, the Genesis ‘JW’ is featured on the E-GMP platform specifically intended for EVs. It is striking that the electric Genesis has strong external similarities with the upcoming new EV from Kia, which has already appeared several times in a camouflaged test suit. Genesis gives it the so typical light units divided into two parts. In 2019, Genesis already indicated with the electrically powered Mint Concept that the brand would eventually come with a compact EV, although few design elements of that study model seem to reach the production stage.
Genesis Mint Concept (2019)
If the engineering of the electric Genesis matches that of the yet to be revealed Hyundai Ioniq 5, the newcomer could be worse off. Previously leaked information showed that the Ioniq 5 will get various versions, including a 315 hp four-wheel drive variant that is at 100 km / h in just over five seconds. That version would squeeze 450 WLTP kilometers from a 58 kWh battery pack. A 73 kWh version would even reach a driving range of 550 kilometers. The Ioniq 5 will be presented in mid-February. The equivalent of Kia takes longer, just like Genesis’ new EV. The luxury brand also wants to sink its teeth into the European market. Genesis could use a compact EV in the range given the increasing popularity of electric cars in Europe.