Genesis says a range-extended GV90 remains technically possible. Customer demand will decide whether the EREV actually happens. Future Genesis models will offer hybrid, EREV, and EV choices. Genesis just revealed the GV90, its massive new electric flagship with 657 hp, a 123.5 kWh battery, and a cabin designed to make a chauffeured Rolls-Royce owner take notice. Every version is strictly battery-electric at launch. But that may only be true for now. At the GV90’s San Francisco debut, Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke made it clear that an extended-range electric version has not been ruled out. Asked directly about the possibility, he said: “Why not? It’s compatible. It’s another discussion.” More: Genesis’ New GV90 Goes After BMW Money With Rolls-Royce Tricks Donckerwolke also made the case for keeping the new flagship fully electric in the present tense. “We believe today that the electric powertrain is ideal for this type of vehicle because of the torque delivery, the silence, and luxury buyers,” he said. Photos: Stephen Rivers for Carscoops That makes perfect sense. The GV90 is exactly the sort of machine where instant torque, nearly silent operation, and a flat-floor cabin matter. Its 123.5 kWh pack is the largest yet used by Hyundai Motor Group. Genesis claims roughly 310 miles of range from the seven-seat version and a 10-to-80 percent fast-charge time of 22 minutes. Still, an EREV could make a lot of sense here. Unlike a conventional hybrid, a range-extended EV uses electric motors to drive the wheels, while a gas engine works primarily as an onboard generator. In theory, it could preserve the quiet, effortless character Genesis is chasing while taking some of the pressure out of longer trips and sparse charging infrastructure. That’s something other large luxury EVs like Cadillac’s Escalade IQ don’t have. Sean (Sihyeok) Lee later echoed Donckerwolke’s comments, saying that “In the future, the EREV door is still open. We will explore all opportunities depending on customer demand.” He went further, too. “GV90 is the only one that’s BEV only for now,” Lee said. “All the other cars in the lineup are going to be available with different options: hybrid, EREV, and also battery electric. All those options will be available for the rest of the lineup.” That said, it’s far from a production announcement. Genesis hasn’t even confirmed when orders will open or pricing for the BEV GV90. But it’s also more than a vague corporate non-answer. The company’s top executives have said the SUV is compatible with EREV and that its future depends on whether buyers demand it loudly enough. Donckerwolke, for his part, remains emphatic about the long game. “EVs are the future,” he said. “Combustion is going to be obsolete. It’ll disappear.” He conceded that combustion might endure in exotic vehicles, but argued that most EV limitations and fears come from people who have never actually driven one. He may well be right. But what happens 10 or 20 years from now matters less than what luxury-SUV buyers want when the GV90 reaches dealerships next year. Genesis is betting they will embrace a BEV-only flagship. If they don’t, the company has made clear that the EREV door is there. It just might need to open sooner than planned. Photos: Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
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