Virtually every newly launched car these days is an electric vehicle, but Genesis is not shying away from the capabilities of a V8 engine fitted inside a vehicle that rides any terrain like a boss. Taking the challenge to Ford, which is building an off-road supercar under wraps, the X Skorpio produces 1,100 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque for rugged terrain supremacy. A bold direction for Genesis to take on the likes of 911 Dakar and Huracan Sterrato, perhaps. The luxury vehicle division of Hyundai Motor has experimented in the past with creations like the X-Trail Mountain Rescue and GMR-001 hypercar, but this one is a bold leap forward.
The launch of the howling off-road concept fittingly took place on the dunes of the Rub’ al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter. Home to the famous Dakar rally, the region is known for its extreme landscape spanning thousands of square miles. S suggested by the naming convention, the V8 beast is inspired by the anatomy of a scorpion. The underpinning highlight of the performance car is its lightweight construction from a combination of carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar.
Designer: Genesis
The visual similarities of the venomous animal include flared wheel arches that resemble pincer claws, armor panels that emulate the rugged exoskeleton, and a roof-mounted intake that seems a bit like a coiled-up tail. The segmented armor panels serve to expose the internal mechanics for quick repairs and maintenance in challenging conditions where time is of the essence. The purpose-built tubular frame has a full roll cage with four-point harnesses. X Skorpio gets a long travel suspension, securing the 18-inch beadlock rims with the 40-inch off-road tires. The result is a sizeable ground clearance and good approach and departure angles.
Normally, on a vehicle like this one, focusing on power and ruggedness, the interiors take the hit. Not with the X Skorpio, though, which is draped in luxury and modern features. The bucket seats and the dashboard are done in leather and micro-suede for a premium feel. There’s a climate control system and a sliding infotainment screen that slides to the center or front for easy access.
There’s no timeline yet about the production horizons of this concept, but we assume it is going to manifest in some form or another in the near future. With the World Endurance Championship season this year and the Dakar Rally on the horizon, the X Skorpio is going to ride the dunes in the near future.
