Genesis has launched the GV90, an electric SUV that occupies the top-of-the-line position of the South Korean manufacturer, with an expected arrival at dealerships in 2027. This model incorporates the eMP electric architecture, offering 666 hp and 81.6 kgfm. However, its competitive advantage lies in the side of the vehicle: the rear doors feature an opening mechanism inverse to the standard, without a B-pillar between them.
This feature is known as suicide doors, a term the industry has tried to replace with 'coach doors'. Genesis has named this system Neolun Arch Gate, alluding to the original concept of the automobile.
The origin of this solution dates back to horse-drawn carriages and was adopted by early cars. The major problem arose with increased speed: without adequate seatbelts and simple locks, a poorly closed door could be opened by the wind, forcing the passenger to lean out of the moving vehicle to reach it, which gave rise to the negative nickname.
A decisive milestone occurred in 1965 when lawyer Ralph Nader included this device in the list of unsafe items in the book 'Unsafe at Any Speed', which established modern vehicle safety regulations in the United States. After this event, hinged rear doors practically disappeared from production lines.
In the Brazilian context, these doors had a period of use; the DKW-Vemag Belcar used them on the front doors until 1964, when they were replaced due to safety concerns. More recently, the first generation of the Fiat Strada double cab featured an inverted rear door on the right side, between 2013 and 2020.
The Strada faced the inherent difficulty of its design: the rear door only opened after the front one. This limitation also occurs in models like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and the old BMW i3. In the absence of a B-pillar, one door blocks the other, turning the opening sequence into a mechanical imposition.
This is where the GV90 stands out. Its front and rear doors open simultaneously and in any order, without needing prior unlocking. The secret to this operation lies in the movement: the rear door slides out before rotating, which requires a considerable set of mechanisms installed on the side of the car. A prototype seen last year showed the wheel arch panel removed, revealing this apparatus.
The structural rigidity that would be lost due to the lack of a B-pillar was mitigated by a lining surrounding the cabin that is 50% more robust than that found in common vehicles. Genesis assures that the SUV behaves as if it had a B-pillar in side collisions and opted to use aluminum in the floor to compensate for the additional weight, the value of which has not yet been disclosed.
The rest of the specifications reinforce the boldness of the project: it features a 123.5 kWh battery, an estimated range of 499 km in the North American cycle, a glass roof equipped with its own airbag against shattering in case of rollover, headlights composed only of LED strips, and the absence of an instrument panel, with everything designed directly onto the windshield. Details regarding price and launch date remain undefined, and Genesis does not have operations in Brazil.