2024 Genesis Neolun Concept revealed

A premium car maker has previewed its new SUV with an opulent high-riding concept that takes aim at the ultimate luxury brand.

Hyundai’s luxury brand could soon have a hint of Rolls-Royce.

Korean car maker Genesis is hoping to make getting in and out of its future luxury cars a tad easier with rear-hinged back doors and no roof pillars in the centre of the vehicle.

The luxury brand has teased the rear-hinged doors – which in the modern era have been a feature on Rolls-Royces – with its Neolun Concept to be shown at this week’s New York motor show.

The large SUV previews a future Genesis GV90 large seven-seat electric SUV, although the concept only has four seats.

The Genesis Neolun Concept has hints of Rolls-Royce.

The GV90 will be the largest car yet for the brand, which only started selling cars in Australia in 2017.

Many concept cars have featured rear-hinged doors and no central pillars, but the radical set-up typically gets left under the gaze of motor show lights when the car finally makes it to production.

However, Genesis says development of what it refers to as coach doors “has reached a level where its application to production vehicles is now feasible”.

The concept previews the coming GV90.

The man now heading up Genesis styling, former Holden and Bentley designer SangYup Lee, says the large SUV meets the all-important side impact and rollover protection standards that have typically thwarted the use of such doors on bigger vehicles.

Side steps pop out when the doors are opened, making it easier to climb into the cabin.

The side steps then retract when the door closes, keeping the car looking sleek when on the move.

It’s part of an intense focus on keeping the look of the Neolun pure and clean.

Subtle roof rails pop up when racks are required, for example.

The frunk – or front trunk – can be accessed via a small panel on each side, making it easier than lifting the whole bonnet.

The concept’s interior can transform into a meeting room.

Inside, the Neolun concept exudes opulence with ambient lighting and large screens, including two that pop out of the roof.

There’s also Royal Indigo cashmere and Purple Silk leather dyed with organic pigments as part of a focus on sustainability.

The Neolun also underfloor heating inspired by the Korean technique of ondol.

There are heating pads applied to the doors, dashboard, wooden floor, seatback and the sides of the consoles, all with the aim of heat radiating through the cabin.

It will be built on Hyundai’s new electric car platform.

The top-end audio system has been designed to replicate a concert hall with carefully positioned speakers throughout. One of those speakers is built into the rotating “crystal sphere” that also controls the infotainment system.

The Neolun is expected to form the basis of the upcoming GV90 large SUV that would compete with the likes of the BMW EQS SUV and BMW iX and X7.

It is the first car built on the Hyundai Group’s next generation electrical architecture that can include 800V charging to reduce charge times.

Originally published as 2024 Genesis Neolun Concept revealed