1000hp Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute honours Bathurst winner

The one-off Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute has been unveiled in Switzerland as a tribute to Bathurst winner and former Formula One driver Jacky Ickx.

Belgian-born Ickx won the 1977 Bathurst 1000 race on his first attempt, co-driving a Ford Falcon with Allan Moffat in a famous Ford one-two victory.

At the time of his Australian win, Ickx was already a famous sports car driver, having taken outright victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race earlier that year – an event he would win six times in his career.

He was also runner-up in the F1 world drivers’ championship twice (1969 and 1970), with eight Grands Prix victories – having driven for Ferrari, Williams and Brabham teams among others.

The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute is finished in midnight blue with a white stripe to match the colours of the racing helmet worn by Ickx throughout his racing career.

It is a special edition of the X Gran Berlinetta Vision GT sports car shown in ‘magma’ orange paintwork – named after the luxury car maker’s new performance sub-brand – in December 2023.

It was one of a number of concepts from several car makers introduced in digital form for racing video game Gran Turismo 7.

While there are no styling changes to the dramatic sports car, the blue Tribute runs gold wheels and sees Ickx’s surname etched across the C-pillar with a chequered flag ‘24’ motif celebrating his success at Le Mans.

There are no changes to the original concept’s mid-mounted ‘Lambda II’ V6 petrol engine and electric motor hybrid drivetrain, delivering 799kW/1337Nm and a redline of 10,000rpm, according to Genesis. 

The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute was revealed at a launch event for the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 line of watches developed by the Swiss watchmaker in conjunction with the famous Belgian driver.