The Genesis X Speedium Coupe Is a Stunning Hatchback EV Concept

The Genesis X Concept wowed us last year with its absolutely stunning design. It evokes the best two-doors of the Seventies—the Pininfarina-designed Fiat 130 and Peugeot 504 coupes spring to mind—while also clearly defining a new design language for the Korean luxury brand. Genesis decided to rework the concept a bit into this, the X Speedium Coupe, a jaw-droppingly pretty two-door hatchback.

A friend offered that the new roof profile and rear hatch evokes the Aston Martin DB2/4, and I also see hints of Series-One E-Type and various early Ferrari Berlinettas. The kamm-tail rear with integrated spoiler evokes the epochal 275 GTB, too. Still, it's distinctly Genesis, with the brand's signature "Two Lines" lights wrapping around the whole front fascia, with the bottom line forming a triangle designed to mimic the brand's grille. Those front lights wrap all the way around the front fenders, and are paralleled by the taillights.

Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis, said in a statement that this isn't a typical concept car. "This car is an open-door moment in Genesis' journey towards our future EV design," he said. "This isn’t a show car—it's a look into our design processes as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs, one that incorporates Genesis' DNA."

And while the name may seem strange to native English speakers, it's a nod to Inje Speedium, a race track around 75 miles east of Hyundai's Seoul headquarters. The rich green hue of the Speedium concept is also appropriately called Inje Green.

Genesis hasn't said whether it will build the X in either of its guises, though a teaser showing the brand's upcoming EV lineup shows at least one car that looks like the coupe. The brand did make some other EV news tonight. The Electrified GV70 crossover will be the first Genesis product built in the U.S., with cars set to roll off the line this December. Genesis is also launching a concierge service, Genesis Priority One, for GV60 customers in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.