For the launch of a new performance brand called Magma, it was freezing cold.
That probably wasn't a consideration when Genesis management planned the event, most likely imagining guests basking in Provençal sunshine as they gathered at Circuit Paul Ricard near Marseille late last year.
But the track's mile-long main straight is called Le Mistral for a reason: it's named after a strong wind, which was carrying a chill air and even snow through the region.
So a late decision was taken to move the event from a stage on the circuit itself into an aircraft hangar.
It protected guests from the wind but not the cold: blankets and handwarmers were laid on initially, before a veritable eruption of orange, performance-honed Genesis models and concepts were paraded at dizzying speed.
There were Magma versions of the G70 and G80 saloons, a coupé version of the GV80, a stunning G90 Wingback estate concept, the firm's Le Mans hypercar and the 'one more thing' mic-drop arrival of the Magma GT concept.
Technically this event's purpose was to launch the GV60 Magma the 641bhp, Porsche-Macan-rivalling electric SUV that shares much of its underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
But the gathering also marked 10 years of the Hyundai group's premium brand itself and presented a chance for Hyundai boss José Muñoz and Genesis creative chief Luc Donckerwolke to lay out their manifesto for the next decade.
The launch of Magma is key to plans to turn Genesis into what Donckerwolke calls a "luxury high-performance brand" over the coming decade.
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No doubt that the Genesis cars are well engineered and excellent value but is that enough? Lexus has been here for over thirty five years yet has not broken through in Europe to the same extent as in North America, Infintti came and went without making that much headway but then both Hyundai & Toyota have very deep pockets and are very much focused on the long term. Who knows what will happen in the future, Jaguar seem to have imploded ditching their entire model range and replacing them with a single model starting at £120k which may be on the market some time in the future it'll be interesting to see what things are like in 5 or 10 years
Genesis are very much establishing themselves in the space left by Jaguar, as an alternative to the usual premium German brands.
I have a Electrified G80 which I've owned now for three and a half years. Prior to the Genesis I had a Maserati and some six new Jaguars. The E G80 remains the best car Ive owned, both inside and out looking and feeling like a true luxury car.
In no small part is the styling, which maybe thanks to the chief stylist at Genesis occupied the same position at Bentley, gives the car a look of not an £80k car but something costing more than twice the price. I have lost count of passers-by who ask if it's an Aston Martin or Bentley! Its a car that absolutely offers maximum 'bang for the buck'.
Add in a customer service experience that is truly 'premium', I think Genesis has a bright future!