Genesis GV90 previewed?
The Neolun is Genesis’s first “full-size electric SUV concept”, advancing the brand’s unique styling while packing a host of advanced technological features
Alongside the launch of its GV60 Magma performance car, Genesis has announced the Neolun concept.
Building on the styling first previewed in 2021 with the Genesis X concepts, the massive show car points towards a large electric SUV that will likely debut in the coming year as the anticipated GV90 flagship.
Technical details for the big electric SUV haven’t been revealed, but it’s clear the Neolun is much larger than the firm’s current largest SUV – the GV80. With its all-electric powertrain, we expect the Neolun in GV90 production form to go up against the Volvo EX90, Range Rover EV, Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX.
It’s likely the Neolun will sit on Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP architecture, likely using the same setup as the similarly-sized Kia EV9 and upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7. This would point to a 76.1kWh battery or – more likely given Genesis’s premium aspirations – a 99.8kWh battery. In the Kia EV9, this is enough for a range of up to 540 kilometres.
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The Neolun name comes from a combination of the Greek “neo”, meaning new, and the Latin “luna” – combining to make “new moon”. “Neolun was inspired by Korea’s iconic moon-shaped porcelain jars,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer, Luc Donckerwolke.
Genesis ↗ says the exterior “revolves around the concept of reductive design”, for a clean, simple look. The front end features a similar headlight design to that seen on several recent concepts from Genesis, with two lines wrapping around the side of the car – broken up by the front wheel arch.
Diamond-shaped grille inserts are found in the lower intake on the front, which is a common Genesis design trait. The rear continues the twin lighting lines of the front end, with two parallel light bars spanning the tailgate.
Around the side we see an almost Bentley or Rolls-Royce theme, matched to a set of eye-catching wheels, and pillarless doors with, in concept form at least, no door handles.
Electric side steps automatically activate when the doors open – something Genesis says “maximises passenger convenience during entry and exit”.
Inside, the most prominent feature is a massive TV-like screen atop the centre of the dash. We’d say this will likely be replaced with a smaller unit when it enters production, but in today’s display wars, we wouldn’t bet on that.
Inside, the most prominent feature is a massive TV-like screen atop the centre of the dash. We’d say this will likely be replaced with a smaller unit when it enters production, but in 
There’s a large dial on the centre console, but judging from the current crop of Genesis cars, this would likely shift gears rather than operate as a BMW iDrive-style controller for the screen.
The front-row seats can swivel to face the rear, and above there are two screens that fold out of the ceiling for second-row entertainment. The leather is finished in ‘Royal Indigo’ and is matched to ‘Purple Silk’ coloured leather elsewhere in the cabin, combined with a dark-coloured real wood floor.
Will the Genesis GV90 come to Australia?
When it finally enters production, we’d expect the GV90 to be offered in Australia, although specific dates haven’t been revealed yet.
Buyers should look forward to a entry-level price tag that closes in on the $200,000 mark, where it would compete with other large premium EVs like the $197k Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
For now, Australian buyers shopping in the electric Genesis range can choose between the GV60 – a surprisingly large ‘small’ SUV – and the GV70 Electrified medium SUV, along with the G80 Electrified sedan.
The current flagship SUV is the GV80, although it’s offered only in petrol and diesel forms.
Alastair Crooks & Auto Daily