Korea’s Luxury Car Brand Just Took the Off-Road World by Storm

Whether it’s a Range Rover-rivaling SUV, a striking mid-engine supercar or a gorgeous Wingback shooting brake, Hyundai’s luxury Genesis arm just can’t seem to disappoint.

The Korean automaker continues to create hit after hit, and such projects are proving the depth of its commitment to establishing a serious performance image.

Genesis

However, even those efforts can’t compare to the latest reveal, as Genesis has created a vehicle that takes the brand in a decidedly different direction. It’s as extreme as statements come, and it previews what the next decade is set to hold.

An aggressive desert supercar

It’s dubbed the X Skorpio Concept. As befits its sinister arachnoid namesake, it’s an aggressive off-road supercar intended for barreling over dunes in deserts around the Middle East.

Genesis

Accordingly, in addition to equipping the concept with a carbon-kevlar bodywork, high-clearance fenders, some rugged skid plates and beefy Brembo Motorsport brakes, Genesis has also fitted it with a set of 18-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in custom 40-inch off-road tires.

In practice, the brand says that this means the X Skorpio delivers generous approach and departure angles, a short wheelbase and a high breakover angle. Considering that power comes from a V8 rated at 1,100 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque, the concept is basically a trophy truck in disguise.

Genesis

However, that’s not to say that it breaks away from typical Genesis luxury. Though the interior features competition-ready touches like an integrated roll cage and a four-point harness, it does still make plenty of provisions for comfort. 

As such, beyond quilted leather, a massive central navigation screen and climate control, the X Skorpio concept also includes a steering wheel with an integrated instrument cluster and switches for things like wipers and lights.

Culminating off-road concepts

To accompany the unveiling of the X Skorpio in the United Arab Emirates, Genesis rolled out several of its past off-road efforts with new liveries to create a matching ensemble.

Genesis

Between the GV60 Mountain Intervention Vehicle (MIV) Concept and the GV70 Snow Concept, the brand’s ambitious concept initiatives were well-represented. Moreover, Genesis also brought its GV80 Desert Edition created in celebration of racing driver Jacky Ickx.

While the commemorative SUV is currently the only one of the lot to have hit the market at this stage, that’s not to suggest the other vehicles will never see the light of day.

Quite the contrary. In addition to creating the X Skorpio as a preview of its upcoming design and performance initiatives, it turns out that Genesis will supposedly be building the concept as a limited-production vehicle.

Genesis

At the launch event, the brand’s chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke told Car and Driver, “We already have a few orders in tonight from people in this area who need toys.” Yes, several of these will soon be ripping around the sand.

Genesis didn’t disclose how many it’ll be building or how much each one will cost (presumably quite a lot). However, the fact that the Korean luxury brand is willing to gamble on such a project proves that it’s serious about breaking into the off-road game.

Genesis

Genesis X Skorpio Concept

• Learn More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics