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No, you haven’t seen anything like the Genesis Essentia

Hyundai’s luxury brand delights with an otherworldly concept car

As gorgeous as Roger Federer taking the fifth set of a grueling Wimbledon final match. PHOTO FROM GENESIS

Some of you may not know that Korean automaker Hyundai has a luxury division called Genesis, which was spun off the executive sedan of the same name. Think of it as Hyundai’s answer to Toyota’s Lexus. Now, Genesis wants to make a big splash in the industry, and what better way to do that than to unveil an extremely exotic-looking concept car at the New York Auto Show?

Guys, feast your eyes on the Genesis Essentia.

Not a bad line or curve in our eyes. Like winning a major title without dropping a single set. PHOTOS FROM GENESIS

According to Genesis, the Essentia is an all-electric grand tourer that was designed based on the theme of “athletic elegance.” So I imagine that when Genesis design chief Luc Donckerwolke gave the design brief to his team, he simply said: “What would Roger Federer look like if he were an automobile?”

Okay, okay. You’re probably protesting and thinking Michael Jordan, because basketball’s GOAT was indeed athletic and elegant during his playing days. But nah…Jordan is a Ferrari. But this—this otherworldly thing you see here—is the motoring equivalent of the most balletic tennis player you and I have ever seen.

Bring on the future if its cars look like the Essentia. PHOTO FROM GENESIS

I mean, just look at this carbon-fiber beauty and tell me it doesn’t remind you of Federer’s most graceful moves at Wimbledon.

The Essentia looks like a modern E-Type from the rear. And that's the ultimate compliment. PHOTOS FROM GENESIS

Even the way the Essentia’s butterfly doors open up calls to mind the Swiss Maestro’s smooth overhead strokes. And with a declared 0-100km/h acceleration time of three seconds, it’s deceivingly quick. Just like the Fed.

Genesis has not revealed any specs for the powertrain, other than to say that the car has a “state-of-the-art, high-density battery pack and multiple electric motors that enable a powerful, confident driving experience.”

A Lamborghini would look awkward next to this. PHOTOS FROM GENESIS

And like Federer, the interior is so opulent and so refined that it has its own butler, also known as the Genesis Intelligent Assistant. This allows the pampered owner to transact mobile payments on the road via the system’s auxiliary voice command. With this car, you get to live life like a 20-time Grand Slam title winner.

Game, set and match! What an utterly stunning car. PHOTOS FROM GENESIS

The Genesis Essentia is as athletically elegant as Roger Federer. This is not even open to debate. The only problem I see here is that Federer endorses Mercedes-Benz. Unforced error. Sorry.



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist for 26 years. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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