► Genesis’ partnership with Ickx goes a step further
► GV80 ‘Desert Edition’ celebrates Ickx’s 80th birthday
► Just a one off, clad in off-roading goodies
Genesis has created a one-off GV80 SUV designed to celebrate the 80th birthday of racing driver Jacky Ickx.
Ickx won the 1983 Dakar event and is an ambassador for the Genesis brand He also advises on development of future Genesis cars, including the upcoming new Magma series of high-performance models.
The GV80 Desert Edition follows a similar pattern to cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar, Audi Q8 e-Tron Edition Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. It’s all about beefing up the car’s off-road capability with modifications and new tech.
In the GV80’s case, Genesis engineers and designers have modified the wheelarches and overhauled the suspension, adding 20-inch forged wheels shod in all-terrain rubber. A roof rack fitted with LEDs all round adorns the roof. The interior has been kitted out with supplies and emergency equipment, too.
It’s just a one-off, mind you, led by a seemingly un-busy Luc Donckerwolke as well as designers and engineers. Given Genesis’ focus on motorsport with its Magma models and entrance into the WEC Hypercar category, who knows – maybe we’ll see a Genesis compete in the Dakar rally.