Home » Genesis Just Showed An Electric SUV With Heated Floors Instead Of Air Ducts

Genesis Just Showed An Electric SUV With Heated Floors Instead Of Air Ducts

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Matt Hardigree is at a Genesis event right now in New York, blowing up my phone with cryptic texts and photos of never-before-scene Genesis concept vehicles. One is this black SUV called the… Moonjar? Neo Noon? Torchinsky? We don’t know the name of this thing; honestly, communication right now with Matt is a shitshow, but I still need to give you, dear readers, a first look! So check out this new mystery concept SUV that’s meant to preview a real, production full-sizer coming to the Genesis brand next year. UPDATE: It’s called “Neolun.”

Can anyone figure out what Matt is saying in the text conversation below?

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

Is this new concept SUV called the Heirloom concept? Then Matt jumps to a different topic, discussing the “Magma” versions of the G80 and GV60. Magma is Genesis’ “AMG,” so to speak. At least, that’s how I’ve interpreted Matt’s gibberish.

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Is the black SUV called the Moonjar?

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Apparently it has a pop-up roof rack and heated floors and body panels?

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Is the car called Moon Jar? Is it called the Torchinsky?

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UPDATE:

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It’s “Neolun,” one word. Two new photos from our cryptic publisher:

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UPDATE 2: Okay, we have the press release now. Here’s the bit about the heated floors, via Genesis:

Inspired by Korea’s traditional “ondol,” the radiant heating system allows for efficient heating throughout the vehicle, with heating films applied to the dashboard, door trims, floor, seatbacks and console sides. Ondol is a Korean heating method that utilizes direct heat transfer underneath the floor to provide warmth, often found in traditional and modern homes throughout the country.

Here are the official press images:

[hero1] Neolun Concept Fq Pr [hero3] Neolun Concept Rq Pr [hero5] Neolun Concept Interior2 Pr [hero2] Neolun Concept Side Profile Pr [hero4] Neolun Concept Interior1 Pr

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And some more:

The name “Neolun” is derived from the Greek “neo,” or new, and the Latin “luna,” which means
moon. Together, it encapsulates Genesis’ technological innovation that exceeds conventional
standards and sets forth the brand’s vision for the future.

“The Neolun Concept was inspired by Korea’s iconic moon-shaped porcelain jars,” said
Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “It’s the epitome of timeless design and
sophisticated craftsmanship.”

The Neolun Concept’s exterior revolves around the principle of “reductive design” —
characterized by clean, refined lines that deliberately eliminate any unnecessary details.

The most prominent exterior feature are the distinctive coach doors, without any B-pillars
connecting the vehicle’s body and roof. Compared to conventional vehicle structures, this
layout provides a much more open interior space and maximizes convenient passenger
access. Development of the B-pillarless coach doors has reached a level where its application
to production vehicles is now feasible.

The electric side steps are automatically deployed when the doors open, making it easier for
passengers to step in and out of the vehicle. When the doors close, the side steps integrate
back into the vehicle to maintain a seamless exterior design.

The body-integrated lamps seamlessly blend with the vehicle’s front and rear design, conveying strength and grandeur.

In line with reductive design, the center high-mounted stop
lamp is incorporated within an intricately detailed perforated pattern. The pop-up type roof rack
accentuates the SUV identity of the Neolun Concept while harmonizing with the vehicle’s sleek
body line.

The Neolun Concept stands out with a captivating two-tone scheme called “Midnight Black”
and “Majestic Blue,” which takes after Korea’s serene night sky and enhances the vehicle’s
elegant design.

Interior-wise, the Neolun Concept’s cabin represents a modern reinterpretation of Korea’s
distinct hospitality culture. From the moment passengers step through the B-pillarless coach
doors, they are greeted by a spacious cabin that accentuates comfort and relaxation.

[…]

The swiveling function of the front-row seats maximizes space and practicality for passengers,
as the large adjustable display screen and the flexible display that unfolds from the rear-seat
headliner offer a sensory-stimulating experience.

The cashmere in the shade of “Royal Indigo” blends seamlessly with the vintage-inspired
“Purple Silk” leather, which has been naturally dyed with organic pigments, setting a deeply
relaxing mood. Completing the luxurious finish is the dark-colored real wood floor.

The Neolun Concept’s sound system features an advanced “sound architecture” that optimally
places tweeters, midrange speakers, woofers and subwoofers for an immersive audio
experience. Each speaker is strategically positioned to create a concert hall-like feel, ensuring
that passengers enjoy unparalleled sound quality. As the speakers are activated, the crystal
sphere at the front, designed to create an emotional connection between the driver and the
car, rotates into a tweeter.

This is breaking news, and this story is being updated.

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Glutton for Piëch
Glutton for Piëch
7 months ago

The shape is very much giving stretched PL71 Touareg. Which means I love it. Hopefully it makes production mostly unfucked.

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
7 months ago

While ondols kill a lot of people from carbon monoxide poisoning, this heating innovation is the first time in decades that someone thought of something that is both new and an actual improvement. And like all great inventions, it seems painfully obvious now that it has been done.

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
7 months ago
Reply to  Vetatur Fumare

Does it seem like a painfully obvious improvement? I’m not sure electrically heating the floors is really better.

Anyways, if it is, you’ll be seeing aftermarket heated floor mats.

Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff
7 months ago
Reply to  Vetatur Fumare

“ondols kill a lot of people from carbon monoxide poisoning”

Decades ago this was true — when they were routing the fumes from the charcoal fire under the floors, an exhaust leak was a killer. But these days they use modern boilers (on LP or natural gas) vented directly to the outside, and the only thing under the floor is hot water.

Last edited 7 months ago by Hot Stuff
Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
7 months ago
Reply to  Hot Stuff

Yes, and hopefully Genesis isn’t using charcoal either.

Rafael
Rafael
7 months ago

Neolun is better than yet another alphanumeric name, but Moonjar is better than both!

Adam Rice
Adam Rice
7 months ago
Reply to  Rafael

Makes me think of the nightjar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightjar

Spartanjohn113
Spartanjohn113
7 months ago
Reply to  Adam Rice

I’m also a fan of Cobra Jar, Cyber Jar, Greed Jar (and its cousins Jar of Greed and Pot of Greed), and Morphing Jars 1 and 2.

Rod Millington
Rod Millington
7 months ago
Reply to  Rafael

MoonJar Binks, brother of JarJar.

Drive By Commenter
Drive By Commenter
7 months ago

Using waste cooling system heat is smart.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
7 months ago

I would not trust any underfloor heating system that wasn’t installed by Richard Trethewey.

Balloondoggle
Balloondoggle
7 months ago

OMG, get the TV off the damn dashboard! Is the swiveling front seat really useful or just unnecessarily complicating the seat base?

I like the idea of the heated floor/panels, but how does AC work? Defrost? If you still need the vents for those two does it make sense to have a separate heat system? Maybe it’s more energy efficient?

Amy Andersen
Amy Andersen
7 months ago
Reply to  Balloondoggle

I doubt it’s more efficient than a good heat pump

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
7 months ago

The infotainment system in the Magma models exclusively plays Zeuhl.

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
7 months ago

That purple interior is hnnngggg

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
7 months ago

Damn right

Beached Wail
Beached Wail
7 months ago

The Honda Element had 4 doors without a B-pillar 21 years ago. Apparently news only just now arrived at Genesis that “Development of the B-pillarless coach doors has reached a level where its application to production vehicles is now feasible.”

Honda never boasted that a B-pillarless design would greet you with “a spacious cabin that accentuates comfort and relaxation,” Honda just said your dog will love it because it’s “Man’s best friend’s best friend.”

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
7 months ago
Reply to  Beached Wail

Not to mention the RX8, that Saturn, and most extended cab pickups.

EVDesigner
EVDesigner
7 months ago
Reply to  Rust Buckets

I’m surprised this comment didn’t awaken David Tracy from his sleep to comment about the i3.

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
7 months ago

Fiat’s version based on the Roman hypocaust didn’t do well in focus groups.

Space
Space
7 months ago

Whenever something new happens in cardom we must ask, is this better or just to save money.
Touchscreens, electronic everything, gigacasting? Money.
This strikes me as a money-saving feature. Wires are cheap.
Also the wheels are too gosh darned big.

StillNotATony
StillNotATony
7 months ago

Neolun = neo (new) lun (moon)?

Bob Boxbody
Bob Boxbody
7 months ago

If there was actually a car called the Torchinsky, that thing would have to have the weirdest damn taillights…

Dogisbadob
Dogisbadob
7 months ago

heated floors seem easy to implement, just a few wires

Lewin Day
Lewin Day
7 months ago
Reply to  Dogisbadob

ha! true.

Mark Tucker
Mark Tucker
7 months ago

I bet those floors are activated by an invisible touch screen. Turn it up too high, and it will feel like a dance on a volcano and you’ll have to switch to the wind and wuthering air conditioning. But if you get too cold, you can just turn it on again.

Amberturnsignalsarebetter
Amberturnsignalsarebetter
7 months ago

Some people think heirloom varieties of the Torchinsky Moonjar taste better, but the modern Magma Noon ones are usually cheaper.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
7 months ago

Is this Autopian or Toonami?

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
7 months ago

Are they gonna heat the floors with MagMa?

Alexander Moore
Alexander Moore
7 months ago

I was about to say, how very Korean of them. I appreciate that they’re trying to invent their own take on luxury, and I’d also like if the Neolun comes to production with that name instead of ‘GV90’.

Kalieaire
Kalieaire
7 months ago

man, this is super korean to use franken-neologisms like this. but i do like the heated surfaces idea. though I’m not sure that’s great in situations with high PM2.5 particulates, would still need some sort of air circulation system.

When it gets hot in South Korea (and it gets blisteringly hot) how do they plan on cooling down the inside of the vehicle without a heatpump?

Mechjaz
Mechjaz
7 months ago

If this is not site-canonically referred to as the Moonjar henceforth, I am packing up my things and I am LEAVING.

Until tomorrow.

Unless I get bored and compulsion-check, having forgotten my oath.

Outofstep
Outofstep
7 months ago
Reply to  Mechjaz

You made an oath to Autopia when you created your account. You can never leave! Torch will hunt you down with the help of an Apple II or whatever he’s using for the member drawings now.

Ted Schwartz
Ted Schwartz
7 months ago

OK, I see what they’re doing with the heating, but I live in Texas, what are they doing with Air Conditioning? Heating the floors does me no good when I get into the car at noon in August and it’s 150 in there…

Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
7 months ago
Reply to  Ted Schwartz

You want a/c to come from up higher ideally, heat from down low, using the same vents for both is always a compromise

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
7 months ago
Reply to  Ranwhenparked

Yeah, but not that much of a compromise in a space maybe 4 feet tall, with lots of airflow, and a bunch of big poorly insulated windows messing up any convection flows you might have had anyways.

If I had to guess, I’d say that vent height has basically no measurable effect on car climate control. Aiming the vent directly at the occupants sure helps though.

Strangek
Strangek
7 months ago
Reply to  Rust Buckets

It comes with one of those clip on fans that you plug into the cigarette lighter. It’s got one of those stretchy phone like cords so you can position it around the cabin as you like. Very futuristic!

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
7 months ago

Works great when it heats up the old vomit in the carpet.

TheHairyNug
TheHairyNug
7 months ago

Not that I need to think much about these kinds of concept cars, but “heating films” are almost certainly less efficient than a heat pump unless they plan to keep the cabin air at like 55 degrees

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
7 months ago
Reply to  TheHairyNug

Not almost certainly. All resistive electric heaters are exactly 100% efficient. Heat pumps are higher than that, or they’re a worthless heat pump. They’re often in the 300%-500% range.

TheHairyNug
TheHairyNug
7 months ago
Reply to  Rust Buckets

Well, the point being that radiative heat is often touted as more efficient because the “perceived heat” occurs at a lower temperature than when trying to directly heat the air. To your point though, I really doubt it would add up

SonOfLP500
SonOfLP500
7 months ago

Those wheels.
Is Luc’s nickname “Donk”?

Goose
Goose
7 months ago

a

Last edited 7 months ago by Goose
Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
7 months ago
Reply to  Goose

b

StillNotATony
StillNotATony
7 months ago

c

Space
Space
7 months ago
Reply to  StillNotATony

d

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
7 months ago
Reply to  Space

Ccccccombo breaker

Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
7 months ago

Oh, sure, that’s great until the slab cracks and breaks your pipes, then you’re stuck retrofitting ducts where they weren’t designed to go

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