Alternative Vibes: 3 New Concept Cars Debut in L.A.
Concept cars always draw plenty of interest from auto show attendees. Perhaps it’s their futuristic exterior styling or the innovative technology packed inside — or maybe it’s just because we all want what we can’t have. A trio of new concepts made their way to Los Angeles this week for the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show: The Genesis X Convertible, Hyundai N Vision 74 and Toyota bZ Compact SUV are very different vehicles that share one commonality — alternative fuel.
Related: More 2022 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
Genesis X Convertible
Revealed ahead of the L.A. Auto Show, the Genesis X Convertible is the final vehicle in the luxury brand’s all-electric X concept series. The four-seater convertible shares its architecture with the Genesis X grand tourer and the X Speedium Coupe concepts revealed in 2021 and 2022, respectively. It closely resembles the Speedium Coupe with its long wheelbase, short overhangs and long hood, but it adds a folding hardtop roof with integrated dual moonroofs over the front seats. In front, the brand’s signature two-line headlights take on a dramatic design that wraps around the vehicle’s faux grille, mimicking Genesis’ classic crest grille.
The rear end also incorporates the lighting signature and features a duck tail spoiler shared with the other X concepts. The convertible also rides on “G-Matrix” pattern-applied wheels and wears a Crane White exterior paint that incorporates pearl particles.
According to Genesis, the X Convertible’s interior is inspired by Korean roof architecture with a Giwa Navy and Dancheong Orange color scheme (‘Giwa’ refers to the roof tiles used on Korean houses), recycled wool and contrasting leather seats. Like its predecessors, it gets a high-performance sound system and a driver-focused cockpit with a wraparound instrument panel that smoothly integrates with the center console.
Genesis has previously said that the X concepts are not slated for production but instead are intended to showcase the brand’s future electrification plans.
Hyundai N Vision 74
Unlike the all-electric Genesis concept, multiple alternative fuel sources power Hyundai’s new N Vision 74 concept. The name and retro-futuristic exterior of the new hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle are a salute to Hyundai’s iconic 1974 Pony Coupe concept (if you’re thinking it also resembles the DeLorean, you’d be correct). The Pony Coupe and DeLorean were both designed by Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The N Vision 74 isn’t all about the past, however; it incorporates futuristic elements like parametric pixel lighting and a hydrogen hybrid fuel-cell powertrain.
The N Vision 74 combines hydrogen fuel-cell and electric power with an 85-kilowatt fuel-cell stack in front and a 62-kilowatt-hour battery in the rear; the fuel cell can convert hydrogen to electricity to charge the battery. The N Vision shares Hyundai’s 800-volt Electric-Global Modular Platform with the Ioniq 5 SUV and gets fast-charging capability with a range of up to 373 miles, according to the automaker. Two independent motors are distributed among each of the rear wheels for over 671 horsepower and 664 pounds-feet of torque, based on Hyundai’s estimates. The automaker says the setup allows for precise power distribution between the right and left wheels to enhance the car’s capability on the track.
It’s unclear if the N Vision 74 (or something like it) will ever see production, however, as Hyundai says concepts like this one are the N performance brand’s “test bed of future technologies.”
Toyota bZ Compact SUV
The Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept is the second vehicle to debut for the automaker’s all-electric bZ sub-brand, following the larger bZ4X SUV. The concept blends styling features from both the bZ4X and the gas-powered C-HR with short overhangs, sharp angles, a sloped roofline and integrated door handles. The interior of the bZ concept is open and minimalistic, with sustainable materials like plant-based and recycled seat upholstery. The cockpit features two tablet-style curved screens and lacks any physical controls apart from the push-button shifter located on the center console.
No details have been revealed about the bZ Compact SUV Concept’s powertrain or estimated range, and Toyota has not confirmed if it will materialize into the next all-electric model available for sale.
Out of the three concepts above, a version of the bZ is most likely to make it to production since the bZ4X closely resembled the concept that preceded it. Only time will tell which of the technologies and styling elements showcased in these concepts will become reality.
More From Cars.com:
- Here Are the New Electric Vehicles Planned by 2025
- Top 10 Most Efficient Electric Cars
- What’s New With Electric Vehicles for 2022?
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X Review: Normal Toyota, Natural Step Into EVs
- More EV News
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
