New Genesis Supercar Concept Pays Tribute To A Racing Legend

Genesis has revealed a new X Gran Berlinetta Concept – a different version of the supercar concept of the same name revealed in December 2023. The latest iteration is a tribute to the racing legend and Genesis brand partner, Jacky Ickx.

Revealed at a Chopard event on the shores of Lake Geneva, the X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept comes with a special Midnight Blue livery with a single racing strip across the hood, representing Ickx's iconic racing helmet. The concept car itself is the flagship concept of the new Magma performance sub-brand. It's claimed to be the ultimate expression of Genesis' Athletic Elegance design philosophy. It's easily recognizable through the twin LED strips and crest grille – a styling execution also found on current production Genesis vehicles such as the G90 and GV80, also seen in the previously introduced Neolun Concept.

An Homage To A Motorsport Icon
The X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept pays homage to the illustrious racing career of Jacques "Jacky" Ickx. The Belgian racing driver has six 24 Hours of Le Mans wins under his belt, the second-highest number of wins of any driver. He also won eight Formula One races (along with 25 podium finishes), the Can-Am Championship in 1979, and the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1983.

The new Genesis Tribute Concept was revealed to the public at the launch of Chopard’s new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 models, developed in collaboration with Ickx. Meanwhile, Ickx has been Genesis' brand partner since February of this year, with an advisory role that collaborates with the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center and Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai Group's Chief Design Officer (CDO) and Chief Creative Officer (CCO).

Magma's Flagship Concept
Inside, the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept keeps the race-focused cabin of the original concept car, employing the brand's Beauty of White Space philosophy, with priority on essential functions to maximize focus on the track. The digital panoramic interface, steer-by-wire grip commands, and surround digital monitoring system are likewise retained.

Power-wise, the Genesis Tribute Concept is powered by a front mid-mounted Lambda 11 V6 engine, electrically assisted by the brand's E-SC technology. The hybrid drivetrain delivers a combined output of 1,071 horsepower and 986 lb-ft of torque. The V6 gasoline engine has a red line at 10,000 rpm. Genesis has yet to provide information about the production version of the X Gran Berlinetta, though rumors suggest that the Korean marque is working on a proper BMW rival using hybrid power.