Genesis took advantage of the 2024 Busan motor show in Korea to present a new version of its X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo concept.
Called the X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo, it takes the original hypercar concept and reimagines it for use on the racetrack. It benefits from more power, less weight and aerodynamic modifications designed to increase downforce.
The original concept debuted last December as the latest entry in the Vision Gran Turismo series, a challenge presented to car design teams around the world early last decade by Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of the Videogame “Gran Turismo”. His challenge was for the design teams to create the ultimate grand tourer.
Like the original concept, the X Gran Racer is powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a front-mid V-6 engine and a single electric motor. The V-6 has an electric supercharger to help boost its output to 870 hp, and the electric motor adds 670 hp to bring total output to 1,540 hp. The original concept’s peak output was 1,071 hp.
Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo concept
Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept
Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo concept
To ensure the vehicle remains glued to the road during high-speed cornering, designers implemented several new aerodynamic elements, including active flaps, a front splitter, a rear diffuser and a large rear wing that connects to a central stabilizer fin. The aerodynamic elements are made of carbon fiber that has not been painted. The rest of the concept wears the new orange color that is becoming the signature hue of Genesis performance vehicles.
Much of the original interior was dismantled to help save weight, so structural elements are now exposed. One of them is a divider bracket that houses several control switches. Additional controls are located on a stick-style steering wheel. Stronger transverse beams in the door and a full roll cage have also been installed to improve safety on the track.
While most of the Vision GT concepts were too wild for production, a few influenced the designs of models destined for production. In the case of the Genesis, the automaker said the concepts present the brand in a performance light, something that is vital as Genesis embarks on the launch of the Magma performance sub-brand.
Similar to the Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M, Magma will offer high-performance versions of all vehicles in the Genesis lineup. A detuned version of the concept’s hybrid powertrain could also be part of some of these Magma models at some point.