Genesis could introduce three sports cars: coupe, convertible, grand tourer

Hyundai’s luxury-car division Genesis could introduce a trio of sports-cars after all three design studies were equally well received, according to lead designer Luc Donckerwolke.

Three types of Genesis X concept vehicles have been unveiled over the past two years: a coupe, convertible and a sleek four-seater ‘grand tourer’ (also referred to as a 'shooting brake').

When asked if Genesis would need to choose one – or build all three – Mr Donckerwolke said: “Why not? We do believe the three designs complement each other.

“First of all we must look at demand, which has been good,” said Mr Donckerwolke. 

“It’s not something we were expecting but it’s something that could be possible. It’s not a case of feasibility (because now we know the demand is there).”

When asked if the showroom versions would be as daring as the concept cars, Mr Donckerwolke said: “We are working on it. If it is up to me there will be no design change.

“It’s not easy to make something that could look like that but (I have asked for) no design change.

“It’s a challenge for engineers, but if I don’t give them challenges they’re not going to perform.”

Mr Donckerwolke said the concept cars are “representative” of the designs Genesis is working on.

“I don’t like to leave some toys on the side. I don’t like to share them and I don’t like to eliminate any of them.

“At the beginning, we considered that one (design) would take over from the other one. We were surprised, because we were expecting in (design previews) we would have a clear winner, but it didn’t happen.”

Mr Donckerwolke said all three models won favour in international design “clinics” – industry jargon for special previews undertaken years before showroom arrivals, to gauge customer reactions before giving the green light to a new model.