The X Convertible concept lineage can be traced back to the X Concept, a two-door grand tourer that showcased Brand’ Athletic Elegance design language. The X Speedium Coupe concept, the second car in the trilogy, displayed the brand’s signature Athletic Elegance in an even more progressive way. It also showcased an evolution of the brand’s Crest Grille, which evolved into a lighting signature to signify its electric powertrain. The X Convertible concept takes the X Speedium Coupe concept further up the emotional scale.

The X Convertible concept combines with its folding hardtop roof—that integrates transparent moon roofs above the front occupants to provide an open feel even when closed— the architecture and powertrain sets the perfect stage to communicate with nature, allowing users to enjoy the environment in a new way, free from mechanical disturbance.

On the front of the vehicle, brand’ signature Two Lines lamps have evolved into a full-width element that encompasses the shape of the crest resembling the brand’s Crest Grille. It was designed to carry the brand signature of the wing face for the electrification era by integrating the daytime running lamps with the low beam and high beam together. It carries an EV face that symbolizes Brand’ transformation towards becoming an all-electric car brand with a six-model lineup by 2030.

With X Convertible concept, the brand took one step further in brand identity by applying distinctly Korean features as design elements. X Convertible concept’s exterior is painted in Crane White. White cranes represent nobility and sanctity in Korea. The primary interior color is Giwa Navy—named after “Giwa”, the roof tiles on Korean houses. Made from recyclable wool fabric, the textured, woven pad graphic wraps around the cabin, contrasting with the smooth and sleek leather surfaces of the seats. Dancheong Orange serves as a bold accent color—named after the traditional decorative colorings on traditional Korean wooden buildings—with bold orange stitching tracing along the fabric interior.

The X Convertible concept is an open-air theater, providing an unparalleled sensory experience for all occupants. Convertibles offer freedom of expression and a heightened sensory experience thanks to the open roof, which allows a direct connection with the surrounding environment. X Convertible concept takes the sensory experience a step further with its electric powertrain and high-performance sound system developed by sound master Guk-il Yu. First seen in the X Speedium Coupe concept interior, the immersive audio system was specially conceived to optimize acoustic performance.

The brand is pleased to tune in to what customers seek in their driving experiences and aspirations, and will continue to explore new ways to create immersive driving experiences and spaces in which they can connect with their vehicle and surroundings. In addition, starting with the GV60, the brand will continue to provide sincere interactions with its customers through its EV lineup and for its drivers as a luxury brand. The company sees the new electric lineup as an exciting platform to improve the way it interfaces with customers, while The brand’s’ new architecture will integrate audacious technologies and breathtaking designs into its vehicles, providing truly detail-oriented experiences.

The interior of the X Convertible concept features a driver-centric four-seat asymmetric layout—a consistent theme throughout all recent Brand’s concept cars. Its wraparound instrument panel seamlessly integrates with the center console and cocoons the driver cockpit, emphasizing not only its performance-oriented attributes but its connection with the driver.

The X Concept Trilogy is a representation of brand’s capabilities to design and develop cars without being bound by typology. The ‘X’ is symbolic of a “hidden hero” and also stands for explorations of various design potentials of the brand.

The first in the series was X Concept, which made its debut in Los Angeles in March of 2021. The EV-based Gran Turismo concept car employed the brand’s Athletic Elegance design language to exemplify the brand’s vision of sustainable luxury.

The second addition to the series is X Speedium Coupe. This concept displayed the brand’s signature design language in an even more progressive way. Inspired by the passion for motorsports, this model focuses on the emotional value of driving in the era of electrification. This concept is also known for the evolution of the brand’s Crest Grille to signify its electric powertrain.

X Convertible is the third concept in the trilogy, taking the X Speedium Coupe concept further up the emotional scale. The X Convertible offers freedom of expression and a heightened sensory experience thanks to the open roof, which allows a direct connection with the surrounding environment.

The concept car trilogy is crowned by the X Convertible concept, which materializes the brand’s Athletic Elegance design language in its purest form. The X Convertible concept’s ideal proportions are complemented by design purity and exemplify the continued refinement in orchestrating design elements that make up Athletic Elegance. It is a beacon for the brand.

Since its launch in 2015, the brand has been focused on bringing positive changes to customers’ lives. With today’s drivers making more responsible choices towards a better future, the brand is setting a new direction for the brand and taking steps to create a more sustainable future for driving.

The brand’s new vehicles will all be purely electric starting from 2025. To drive the shift to electrification, the brand will focus on a dual electrification strategy involving fuel cell and battery EVs. The brand will put an effort into developing pure electric technologies such as new fuel cell systems with higher power output, and electric systems that help improve efficiency. In addition, the brand will devote itself to building next-generation technology that draws better performance and efficiency from lithium-ion batteries.

Along with the dual electrification strategy, the brand announced its goal to pursue a carbon-neutral brand by 2035. This is the first time for a member of the Hyundai Motor Group to announce the transition, and will solidify the brand as a leader in the luxury vehicle brand. The brand plans to make the bold transition to innovate its entire value chain, beginning with raw materials, vehicles, and parts and extending to all work sites and production plants.

To become carbon neutral, the brand will establish itself as a 100 percent zero emission vehicle brand by 2030. The brand aims to build an EV lineup consisting of eight models and expects global sales to reach 400,000 units per year.

X Convertible concept’s long bonnet, generous dash-to-axle, short front overhang, and long wheelbase are drawn rearwards towards the long deck, accentuating its stately yet relaxed poise. The anti-wedge Parabolic Line emphasizes the regal character of the profile, creating tension between the full surfaces through a gently rearward-sloping horizontal belt line, while muscular blisters around the wheels form an athletic ‘Coke bottle’ plan view and integrate into an elegant silhouette when viewed from the side.

The characteristic quad lights—from which the brand’s Two-Line graphic identity originates—are also present in the X Convertible concept. As in the X Speedium Coupe concept, this graphic identity integrates the new EV face and forms an abstract of the Crest Grille. The cooling function for the powertrain and batteries has been relocated to lower openings in the front bumper.

The rear end of the X Convertible concept features a concave elliptical duck tail intersected by horizontal quad rear lights, as seen on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe concepts. The continuity of the elliptical shape is interrupted and crowned by a V-shaped indentation that hints at the crest and wings of the brand’s logo.

The wheels are a combination of the brand’s G-Matrix pattern orchestrated by an aero dish concave section. The spacers of this aero dish serve to extract heat from the brakes.

Category:TransportationYear:2023Designers:Genesis Design Center, Seoul, KoreaManufacturer:Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul, Korea