Genesis unveils X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept in honor of racing icon

  • The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta was designed for the Gran Turismo Vision Series
  • It is also a tribute to an F1 legend
  • The concept is powered by a hybrid unit, delivering over 1,000 hp

Published on Apr 16, 2024 at 12:11 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis

Last updated on Apr 22, 2024 at 3:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

Genesis unveils X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept in honor of racing icon

This is the new Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Tribute Concept.

The name is a bit complicated, but that’s often the case with similar concepts.

But, for once, the X in the name isn’t there for added style points, as it is actually a tribute to an iconic motoring figure.

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Genesis certainly knows how to make beautiful cars, a point the company has already proven on several occasions, including with another X-named concept, the ‘X Convertible‘.

This new concept looks even better and – more importantly – it is a tribute to an icon from the past, Jacky Ickx.

Both the car and the name – because of the letter ‘X’ – pay homage to Belgian racing driver Jacky Ickx, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times as well as eight Formula One races.

Finished in Midnight Blue and adorned with a white stripe, which is the same style Ickx used for his helmets, the X Gran Berlinetta is Genesis’ contribution to the Gran Turismo’s Vision series.

The Gran Turismo Vision series, if you’re unfamiliar, is basically an unofficial design contest where automakers design cars that will appear in the video game.

These cars usually only exist in digital forms but, every once in a while, manufacturers create a physical concept too.

That’s the case with this one and – for example – that’s what McLaren did with the Solus GT.

The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta is powered by a V6 unit paired to a small electric unit, putting out over 1,000 horsepower in total.

The engine is in the middle, right between the cabin and the rear wheels, partly because it helps with weight distribution, but also because it makes the car even more visually appealing.

Unfortunately, this is just a concept car and it doesn’t look like Genesis is going to turn this into a production model.

We can dream though, eh?

Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.