- Genesis created a new version of the X concept called the Speedium Coupe.
- It has a different roofline and new lighting elements, among other changes.
- We don't expect anything like this to become a reality, but design elements from this car will be seen on future Genesis EVs.
UPDATE 8/23/22: Genesis has released new photos of the Speedium Coupe's interior after showing the concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It features a four-seat layout with a generously sized cargo area, along with exquisite detailing and luxurious materials. The cockpit is dramatically driver-oriented, with a large instrument binnacle that connects to a leather-wrapped console separating the driver and passenger.
Last year's gorgeous Genesis X coupe concept caught our attention with its athletic proportions and clean integration of the brand's "two lines" design motif. Now, a team of designers led by Luc Donckerwolke has transformed the concept into something a bit more interesting to look at. This new version of the Genesis X concept is called the Speedium Coupe, and it features a reworked roofline, updated lighting elements, and a grille shape that will supposedly make its way onto Genesis's upcoming lineup of EVs.
The Speedium name refers to a racetrack in Korea, and although the company is still referring to this as a coupe, we're thinking it looks more like a two-door hatchback or even a shooting brake from certain angles. The greenhouse extends much further back than on the original concept, and the roofline tapers down gradually and ends in a ducktail-style rear spoiler. The previous concept's mesh grille is swapped out for a body-color panel bracketed by light bars arranged in a triangular shape, while the lower front fascia now incorporates wider mesh intakes.
While Genesis is not talking about the Speedium Coupe's powertrain, it is certainly electric—although, as a mere design study that's not meant to preview any direct production models, it doesn't necessarily have a real drivetrain at all. Donckerwolke described the Speedium Coupe as a kind of creative exploration that the design studio would not typically show to the public—a “peek behind the curtain” if you will.
If all of the Genesis designers’ freestyle exercises look this good, we’re definitely curious to see what else is behind that curtain. And while we won’t necessarily see a car like this at Genesis dealerships anytime soon, we can only hope that its interesting shape and knockout proportions might make their way onto production Genesis vehicles in the near future.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022.
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
