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?

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?

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:

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

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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65 thoughts on “Genesis Just Showed An Electric SUV With Heated Floors Instead Of Air Ducts”

  4. I can’t see any way that radiant heated flooring would be effective in a vehicle that temperature cycles multiple times per day. Actually, wait. I do know of one way. A couple months ago a customer contacted us looking for flooring for his #vanlife project. Mr innovator planned to divert the coolant flow from the heater core into a serpentine tube on the floor of the van, to be covered by plywood and vinyl flooring. You know, like common radiant heat systems in fixed structures. After some rough calculations we determined a 6.0L gas engine at idle creates enough waste heat to maintain a 2000 sq ft house at 70F. So instead of a cozy YouTube van, he was building a mobile death oven. Never heard back from him so I have to assume he’s been roasted like a game hen.

  5. I’m not one of those crazy bicycle advocates, (I used to ride mountain bikes- not road bikes) but I bet they would love these steps coming out of the car along w/ the door while they are riding by…I actually think it’s on them to not be so damn close to a car in general so they don’t get hit (Yes, the driver should be looking too) but then again, I’m perfectly fine riding on a sidewalk (which I may be scorned for, but get a life) especially now w/ all the idiots on their phones and huge vehicles.
    Also, I’ll take that sound system in a 90’s mini-truck w/ hydraulics and a bed that spins around please

  6. Anyone who is dubious, I personally think it will work great. Will you still need heated vents if it is 20°F or below? Almost certainly. But as someone who drives their BEV around in moderately cold temps with the heat off and the seat heaters and steering wheel heat on, the main two problem areas are cold feet and fogged windshield. By adding heat to the floor and windshield both would be solved, without heating the rest of the air space in the cabin that makes no difference.

    Also, coats are much less inconvenient than insulated boots. Speaking from experience as someone who grew up in Minnesota.

  8. I have had jeeps with heated floors (lack of proper exhaust system due to rust) and no hot air heat or defrost (due to being an old jeep) and in -20 weather it does not work well.

    1. Also, my 82 toyota pickup had such good heated floor heat it melted my girlfriend’s sandal to the floorboards. Again from lack of a decent exhaust system. (she is now my wife of 25 years she must love me for surviving MANY old jeeps and trucks without heat and exhaust systems.)

  9. Heated floors are amazing. The big drawback is they do nothing quickly. In a house its no big deal. In a car its kinda stupid, when I get in a cold car I want it to warm quickly.

    2. Only care about heating the seats and the air. The floor? How long will that take to heat the cabin? It makes sense in house, where you are in bare or stocking feet. I hope they don’t expect people to drive that way.

    3. I’m no rocket surgeon but this seems like it stems from how inefficient BEVs are when it comes to traditional heating via vents. Don’t most EV manufacturers recommend using seat and steering wheel heaters even if they have vents due to the effect blowing the heat has on range?

      I have heated floors and know they take forever to change the temperature in any part of the house but maybe there is a way to make this more efficient when you consider that in a car the space that needs to be heated is significantly smaller and the heat doesn’t have to travel through pipes that could be two stories away from the area that’s being heated (after the boiler has kicked in).

      Electronically heating the floor, dash, trim, and console sides in a small space may not be as fast as blowing heat through vents but has to be faster than heating a whole zone of a house via only the floor. And if blowing heat through vents kills range maybe it’s a worthy compromise.

    4. Your seats, steering wheel, arm-rest (assuming you’ve purchased a car with such equipment) and rear window are radiant heated.

      So is your clothes iron. And your toaster. And your electric stove.

      So I don’t see the issue.

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