It is uncommon lately for us automotive journalists to be genuinely stunned by one thing. Sometimes we obtain pictures and details about new automobiles and idea underneath embargo forward of the particular reveals, and it is common for brand new fashions to be teased or camouflaged prototypes to be spied nicely earlier than they’re prepared for primetime. However yesterday on the reveal occasion for the Genesis GV60 Magma at Circuit Paul Ricard, the automaker served us among the best surprises in my lifetime. At first it was a single picture of a automotive we might by no means seen earlier than projected on display screen for only a couple seconds, eliciting a frenzy of “what the hell is that?” whispers from us all within the stand. Then a couple of minutes later the automotive drove out on stage to a lot applause: the G90 Magma Wingback idea, in all probability the best wagon ever.
It would not have been shocking if Genesis stated the Wingback was only a styling train, one thing nobody might really purchase that might be relegated to the foyer of a design studio or perhaps a Pebble Seaside showcase. However I hope you are sitting down and bracing yourselves for this — in a media roundtable immediately, president and chief artistic officer Luc Donckerwolke stated the G90 Magma Wingback was envisioned as a coachbuilt mannequin, but it surely might simply be produced in bigger numbers.
It might go into quantity manufacturing
No, severely. This would not simply be relegated to the model’s one-of-one program, regardless of that being how the challenge began. Donckerwolke stated the Wingback is executable very quick with a minimal degree of expense, and that if the manufacturing tooling is reasonably priced for a sure degree of quantity manufacturing, Genesis is wanting into it. “A restricted variety of automobiles isn’t any downside,” he added. Genesis has been toying with the concept of G90-based coachbuilt fashions for some time, having debuted the gorgeous X Gran Coupe and Convertible ideas earlier this yr, each of which may be in-built clients need them. Donckerwolke acknowledged that highly effective station wagons are clearly common, particularly within the U.S., and that with the oversaturation of SUVs available in the market wagons will turn out to be extra fascinating and enticing once more.
The Wingback would not have any modifications to the G90 sedan‘s platform, and its wheelbase and general size are an identical. Genesis is already engaged on a high-performance Magma model of the G90, so the platform and twin-turbo V6 engine are ready for that. As Magma fashions are as a lot about added luxurious as they’re about elevated efficiency, the Wingback was designed as a Magma from leap, as can be another potential coachbuilt fashions. Throughout yesterday’s presentation, Donckerwolke stated the design staff’s nickname for the automotive is Dr. Evil.
Wider and meaner
And my God, does it look completely spectacular. Clearly the wagon roofline is the principle occasion right here. The rear glass is properly raked, with a big pass-through spoiler on the high of the tailgate and one other lip spoiler slightly below the glass above the taillights. The aspect quarter home windows come to a pointy level on the D-pillar, and the rear doorways and their home windows are distinctive to the Wingback. My favourite element is likely to be the fins on the again half of the roofline, like those on the present Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
The Wingback has a wider physique than a traditional G90, evident when wanting on the fenders and haunches. There is a distinguished vent behind the entrance wheel, created by the distinction in width between the fender and the entrance door. That wider physique supplies house for a severe set of rubber — the Wingback is using on 22-inch BBS-esque cast wheels with 315-width tires within the rear. The entrance bumper has bigger, extra aggressive intakes with canards on the edges, whereas the rear bumper has a brand new diffuser with stacked twin exhaust in staggered sizes.
The very best sort of shock
Genesis stored the doorways closed, however the inside regarded principally an identical to the G90 sedan, simply with its personal colour and supplies scheme. The entrance seats did look sportier than the G90’s regular items, with a Magma-specific stitching sample. Within the again there gave the impression to be simply two seats with a hard and fast middle console that has its personal touchscreen and set of controls, like on higher-end G90s. Sadly, Genesis would not open up the tailgate to allow us to see how a lot cargo house is again there, however given how huge the G90’s trunk is, the Wingback would in all probability be fairly sensible.
The G90 Magma Wingback idea wasn’t the one unbelievable shock. Genesis additionally debuted the Magma GT idea, which the model created as a result of it desires to enter GT3 racing. To do this, automakers must construct a minimum of 250 homologated highway automobiles, however Genesis will not be doing that. As a substitute, the Magma GT will likely be a full collection manufacturing mannequin, with Donckerwolke saying they’re already planning for a full lineup of mannequin variants starting from the as-shown base mannequin to a GT3 highway automotive.