When you consider Genesis first landed in Europe and the UK a little over two years ago, it’s been quite an introduction with eight model launches and vehicles that constantly challenge the big-hitters in the premium sector.
Genesis prides itself on its unique way of putting customers first. A personal assistant is assigned to each potential customer and they will guide them through the entire buying process. If test drives are required, then Genesis deliver the car to the customer – it is all about the owner experience and saving people time, because time is a very valuable commodity.
There is also a five-year care plan supplied as standard across the entire Genesis range. This provides five years of warranty, courtesy cars, servicing, roadside assistance, along with maps and over-the-air software updates.
You would think that after such a busy couple of years, the company would be taking a break, but that’s not the Genesis way and Goodwood’s Festival of Speed was the perfect backdrop to showcase the latest models and concepts, along with some high-end technology.
Genesis unveiled two models at Goodwood with Lord March, the Duke of Richmond doing the honours, alongside Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis brand.
There was the X Convertible model which is part of the Genesis X Trilogy. This follows hot on the heels of the Genesis X Concept and Genesis X Speedium Coupe. It is the first ever convertible concept to emerge from the Korean carmaker and it won Concept Car of the Year 2023 at the Car Design Awards.
It features a unique folding hardtop roof housing individual glass panels above the front occupants. Design cues include a long bonnet, short front overhangs, a long wheelbase and the company’s now-trademark Parabolic Line to accentuate its strong profile. There are the distinctive quad headlights integrated into an interpretation of the Crest Grille and bold new wheel designs.
At the rear, the tailgate features an integrated spoiler, while the horizontal quad taillights echo those seen on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe models. A V-shaped indentation in the tailgate takes its inspiration from the Genesis logo.
The interior features a four-seat layout with a wraparound instrument panel creating a driver-focussed cabin with Giwa Navy and Dancheong Orange colour combinations throughout. Recycled wool fabric is used to create the trims and this compliments the sleek leather seat upholstery, along with eye-catching orange stitching.
The other model drawing in the crowds at Goodwood was the striking G90 saloon. It’s the flagship model in the Genesis line-up featuring rear-wheel steering to assist when navigating tight corners.
Boasting the thinnest headlights on any Genesis model and the largest clamshell bonnet on any production car, the G90 features a double-layered Crest Grille, the next generation infotainment set-up and a mood curator. This introduces four modes called Vitality, Delight, Care and Comfort and can be applied to on-board features such as the lighting, music, scent and massage settings.
It also features Digital Key 2 so owners can use a phone to lock, unlock and start the car.
The Genesis G90 has a very strong road presence and is now available in Germany and Switzerland. Full product information and pricing will be announced soon but in the meantime, it can be viewed on the Genesis stand at the Goodwood Festival until Sunday, July 16.
And talking of clever innovations, we had the opportunity to test out some of the latest technology on the stunning all-electric GV60.
It features the world’s first facial recognition technology on a car. It’s called Face Connect and is part of a keyless biometric vehicle entry and start system.
It gives the driver the ability to access their car using just their face – a technology that’s readily available on millions of smartphones around the world. By using a facial recognition sensor in the B-pillar of the vehicle, the GV60 can be locked and unlocked without the need for a physical key.
The key is needed just once to set up the profile for face recognition and then the car is started by using the driver’s fingerprint. If you’re concerned about security, all the data is stored via encrypted software in the vehicle.
Visitors were able to see demonstrations of these innovative advances in technology at the Genesis stand three times a day throughout the Goodwood Festival.
Looking forward, Genesis will be growing its brand in the UK and Germany as well as other European markets in 2024. By 2025 all new models with be fully electrified. By 2030, Genesis will be a zero-emissions brand and by 2035, the company global-wide, will be carbon neutral.
Some ambitious targets, but Genesis is a premium manufacturer that clearly thrives on a challenge.