Currently reading: New Genesis Mint concept is quirky electric city car

Hyundai-owned premium brand claims model has 200-mile range and is capable of 350kW charging

The Genesis Mint concept is a premium city car that promises to be “highly manoeuvrable and exhilarating to drive,” according to the Hyundai-owned luxury car brand.

The two-door electric Mint, revealed at the New York motor show, is claimed to offer 200 miles of range and is capable of 350kW fast-charging.

If it were to make production, an intention not yet confirmed, it would be an unusual move for a premium car maker. The majority of makers are opting to produce larger electric vehicles, which answer the ongoing demand for SUVs, better suit the requirements of a battery pack and can justify a more expensive price tag.

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The Mint’s closest rival is the upcoming Honda E, which the Japanese manufacturer says will become its flagship model, thanks to innovative technology and a high specification. Launching next year and expected to cost around £35,000, it will be more practical than the Mint, with four seats and a boot.

The Mint ditches a traditional boot in favour of a parcel shelf accessed by scissor-style side openings, which have been built with a low load-in point for easy access.

The concept's three-box design features short front and rear overhangs, wrap-around light bands and a 'crest' grille with a slight opening to cool the battery pack. 

The G-Matrix pattern is also used for efficient cooling and airflow around the lower half of the vehicle and forms the basis for the aerodynamic wheel design, says Genesis.

Inside, the Mint is simplistic, inspired by the Korean tradition of embracing empty space. The centre console, which features a control knob, can be folded turning the front bench into a settee. There is also automatic swivelling of the instrument panel and bench seat for easy ingress and egress.

Mint 8

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The oblong steering wheel is surrounded by six small screens, while a seventh is flush in the steering wheel and displays key information.

A Genesis spokesman said: “The Mint concept introduces the all-electric luxury car for the city, a new vehicle typology, featuring organic design and an innovative interior user experience.”

Genesis currently focuses on US and Asian markets, but the brand intends to launch in Europe, including the UK, next year. Brand boss Manfred Fitzgerald told Autocar last year that the maker will “focus on the UK” and build right-hand drive models. 

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He added that it will launch its entire line-up, including saloons and SUVs. “To launch the brand, you come with an entire product portfolio. It’s not about volume. If it were, then you would go for a specific body type. Instead, it’s a brand-building exercise.”

Read more

More details on the Honda E

UK to be main focus for Genesis

New York motor show news

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catnip 17 April 2019

This looks great! Slightly

This looks great! Slightly smaller wheels with higher profile tyres and maybe tweaked interior ergonomics and I'd buy one. Surely there's not just me in the world that would buy it in two door form?

voyager12 17 April 2019

Puts the established car brands to shame

Forget the idea of a city car (too low), make it a sports car.

Marv 17 April 2019

I like it!

I like the idea of a small but luxurious electric city/urban run-about.  I think the styling is great and doesn't follow the typical one box formula usually applied to cars of this size.  Making it a 2 seater with avergage luggage capcity makes sense if you look at the number of passengers that would usually be carried in personal transport used in urban/city locations.