The Genesis X Dog Concept Brings Luxury Vanlife to Your Best (Furry) Friend

Recent studies have shown that dogs are much more comfortable and experience less stress when traveling in an EV (electric vehicle) as compared to a standard ICE (internal combustion engine) car. This has – quite obviously! – nothing to do with dogs' ability to sniff out a vehicle's carbon footprint or degree of sustainability, and everything to do with the fact that an all-electric drivetrain means fewer vibrations and a more comfortable, smoother ride inside the cabin.

Because not all dogs are happy to be hanging out the window on extended drives, tongue flapping in the wind, a ride in an EV might prove less taxing on their well-being. So, why not take this as the starting point and fully enhance the experience?

This is what Genesis did with a concept, one-off module that brings luxury and comfort creatures comparable to what we're seeing under the current #vanlife trend in humans. The Genesis X Dog concept module turns the trunk of the electric GV70 SUV into your dog's home on wheels, with every feature it might possibly need before, during, and after a drive and plenty of luxury touches.

Laugh if you will, but even dogs like excessive pampering. This is Genesis' way of acknowledging that.

The concept was designed around – and with direct input from – Eleven, a Cocker Spaniel that also goes by El, who loves to swim in rivers, run through mud, and spend time outdoors but who is also a very nervous traveler. El's owner has learned that soothing light and music tend to calm El down.

The Genesis X Dog module brings all these together, and adds a touch of luxury in matching the style and finishes of the module to the rest of the luxury SUV. For maximum convenience, the module is easily removable, so the owner can make ample use of the trunk for loading stuff when not traveling with the furry best friend.

The module also makes use of the SUV's V2L (vehicle-to-load electric power) feature to run lights and appliances when in remote locations. This feature allowed Genesis to build the module with a focus on the pooch, including a built-in electric shower, a heated bed, ambient lighting, and even a hairdryer designed specifically for dogs.

Again, all this might seem excessive to cat people and even more so to drivers who don't own any pet, but it's the perfect idea for those who love to travel with their travel-anxious pooches, striking the perfect balance between comfort, pampering, and safety.

The module integrates a retractable aluminum and carbon fiber ramp to allow easy access and seamless push-to-open storage compartments with 230V plug sockets. Personalized touches include wireless Bluetooth audio system to play the pooch's favorite relaxing tunes, a customized leather dog collar and safety harness to use during the actual drive. The heated dog cushion is also custom – and Genesis made.

The module is lined in vegan leather, matching the rest of the car because the last thing you want is to strike a contrasting note between the vehicle and its biggest accessory. From afar, most features aren't immediately noticeable, to maintain the elegant lines of the SUV.

For instance, the shower attachment, which is linked to a 6-liter (1.6-gallon) pressurized water tank, is stored within a designated compartment. The hairdryer also sits in its own pouch of waterproof material, to be taken out only when it's time to dry up and head back home.

Ambient lighting includes a choice of 100 colors, but, based on recent studies, Genesis recommends blue and violet to create a more calming atmosphere. Even the lighting is designed to "blend in seamlessly" with the styling of the cabin, but extra care went into placing it on the lower part of the module so as to not provide a distraction for the driver.

If you're thinking that this module was just what your pooch needed to handle extended travels better, you're out of luck.

Genesis goes out of their way to underline that they only designed the one-off concept to show the possibilities of an electric vehicle to accommodate pets with more comfort and even some luxury features. It's a"if we'd built dog modules for our EVs, this is how they'd look like"-type of project.

However, if you happen to visit the Genesis Studio Battersea by May 21 or the Genesis Studio Westfield between May 22 and June 5, you can see the Genesis X Dog module for yourself, as it will go on display there. If not, here's El living the best life and enjoying the module.