Genesis Essentia Concept Is Essentially Awesome
Genesis took over the first afternoon of the 2018 New York International Auto Show’s media days with a surprise reveal of a new sports coupe concept, the Essentia.
Related: More 2018 New York Auto Show Coverage
The Essentia is an all-electric GT car that features multiple electric motors and a lightweight, carbon-fiber monocoque. It has an estimated zero-to-60-mph time of 3.0 seconds. But the most exciting part about this concept is its styling, starting with a striking exterior that puts an emphasis on classic sports car proportions with its long hood and rear-swept cabin.
From the side, it evokes cars such as the Jaguar F-Type and Aston Martin DB11 with its flat nose and long, sloping rear glass. But start to change your perspective and the Essentia becomes more dramatic, with a clear hood that allows you to see the carbon-fiber chassis and elements of the front pushrod suspension, as well. Poking through the front grille is a nose cone similar to that of a Formula One car; it helps to route air through the bodywork.
- ${price_badge()}
- ${battery_badge()}${ev_report_link()}
- ${hot_car_badge()}
- ${award_badge()}
- ${cpo_badge()}
${price_badge_description}
The EV Battery Rating is based on this vehicle's current expected range relative to the vehicles expected range when new. ${battery_badge_text}
Certified cars are manufacturer warrantied and typically go through a rigorous multi-point inspection.
This car is likely to sell soon based on the price, features, and condition.
${award_blurb}
${award_two_blurb}
Shop the 2018 Genesis G80 near you
Flanking the grille opening are extremely thin integrated headlights that use laser technology and are matched by the taillights, which have a similar design. A prominent rear diffuser peeks out from the rear of the car and creeps up the rear bumper. And this being a fairly out-there sort of concept, it of course has a pair of butterfly doors.
Inside, the Essentia takes minimalism almost to an extreme; there are very few buttons and switches perched on the thin center area between the front passengers. The dash is covered in a variety of screens, which communicate different pieces of information. Strong lines have been sewn into the seats, and are matched by horizontal lines on the inside of the doors and in the footwells. Genesis says the Essentia also offers a plethora of connectivity features and can even determine the driver’s mood.
This is the second year in a row that Genesis has shown a concept in New York; last year it was the GV80 SUV Concept. We’re still waiting on that vehicle to make it into the real world, and so we will wait similarly for the Essentia to (hopefully) one day cruise down the highways as well.
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.
