What's this lovely looking thing?
It's the Genesis New York Concept (NYC). And you'll never guess where it was revealed...
The New York International Auto Show?
Got it in one. Genesis, in the US, is the luxury arm of Hyundai, rather than a single model of its parent brand as over here. This NYC (neat, huh, like New York City?) displays the 'Athletic Elegance' design ethos that will shape all future Genesis products.
It looks amazing on the outside, doesn't it?
Yes, it does, although it's unlikely to make production looking like this, sadly. We particularly like the sporty profile, those unusual honeycomb side vents, the slim light clusters front and rear and the big, dominant grille on the nose. There's a long bonnet and a lot of distance betwixt front axle and dashboard, which makes the NYC look like it is moving even when it is stationary. Its sleek body is finished in Ceramic Blue with copper-coloured inlays in the bumper and side sills.
And how about that interior?
Again yes, and again, you're about as likely to see a cabin like this in production in the next ten years as you are of seeing pigs fly. It is beautiful, though, dominated by a huge 21-inch, floating curved 4K screen made by electronics giant LG. That merges the instrument cluster and centre console together, although despite the digitalisation of the dash, there are still analogue dials sitting behind that eye-catching open steering wheel. Tan leather with anthracite contrast panels clothes four luxury chairs, the switchgear is finished in polished aluminium, we've got a copper-coloured stainless steel mesh on the console and there's a 3D geometry Central Control Panel. Oh, and Minority Report gesture control.
You what? Minority Report?
Indeed, if you recall those scenes where Tom Cruise is investigating future crime in the movie, he 'throws' images from one screen to the next as and when he needs them. Well, the driver of the Genesis can do the same in the NYC. Although it's unlikely that they'll be investigating a murder-to-be; more likely, satnav directions to a mall can be hurled from left to right at will.
So what powers this futuristic machine - a hydrogen fuel cell? Electricity? Magic?
Erm, the middle one. Sort of. The Genesis New York Concept is a petrol-electric hybrid, but Hyundai tells us very, very little about its specifications, performance or green stats. We do know there's a 2.0-litre GDi petrol engine mated to an electric motor of unspecified output, with Genesis at least revealing that the total peaks of the drivetrain are 245hp and 353Nm. Drive to the wheels goes through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the body of the car is said to be aerodynamically optimised to reduce fuel consumption to minimal levels.
Matt Robinson - 24 Mar 2016