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Genesis previously announced that it will be dipping its toes into the world of endurance racing with the GMR-001, a Hypercar with aspirations of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its latest concept car suggests that the automaker’s might now be thinking about another type of endurance racing, the Dakar Rally.
Today, Genesis has taken the wraps off the X Skorpio Concept in Rub’al Khali, literally the “Empty Quarter” desert that takes up about a third of the Arabian Peninsula. The same desert hosted a portion of the (now mis-named) Dakar Rally this year, making it a thematically resonant place for this unveiling.
Indeed, the X Skorpio Concept bears a striking resemblance to modern Dakar Rally race vehicles. Despite that, the coupe-like roofline and the bulbous wheel arches mean the model also looks a bit like earlier, road-focused concepts such as the X Gran Berlinetta
The concept car is powered by a high-performance V8 that generates 1,100 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque and slows down with the help of Brembo brakes. It’s all connected to the road (or, more likely, the sand) through 40-inch off-road tires that are wrapped around 18-inch beadlock wheels.
High-clearance fenders and an off-road suspension allow the X Skorpio Concept to tackle the dunes of the desert in comfort. Meanwhile, an integrated roll cage and four-point safety harness help keep drivers safe in the event of a rollover.
Like a Dakar Rally racer, the interior features a specialized interior with a screen and a variety of buttons on the steering wheel for easy access. It also gets a second infotainment screen that can either sit in the middle for the driver, or slide across to provide a passenger with important information.
The rest of the interior is perhaps the least Dakar Rally racer-like aspect of the X Skorpio Concept. Filled with leather and luxuries, the cabin reminds us that this is a concept, and signals that it has been designed as a comfortable off-roader for rich customers who want to feel like they’re competing in the Dakar Rally for an afternoon, and then return home to their mansions or villas or whatever.
As ever, we must remind ourselves that this is a concept car and that Genesis has expressed no intention of producing it, not even as a race car. The automaker, like others, has a history of producing exciting concepts that never become more than just that — concepts.
As meditations on design, Genesis says its concept car strategy is shifting with the X Skorpio. Now, it will focus on creating vehicles that embody “Athletic Elegance” through the tenets of Luxury, Sport, and Cool — all of which are on display here.
“By aligning our designs with these qualities, Genesis aims to foster emotional connections with customers, generate valuable feedback and solidify our position as an industry leader in luxury automotive innovation,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis’ chief creative officer. “Each concept is a signal of what’s possible, a glimpse into the DNA of Genesis’ future."
