Genesis has existed as a standalone brand for barely a decade, and it has to be said, Hyundai’s luxury division has gone about things intelligently. Sedans first, then SUVs, then electric models. And now it is taking aim at a new frontier: high performance, with the Magma version of the GV60. We got our first look at this model in Montreal last week, and now New York audiences can admire it at the auto show, which opens to the public on Friday, April 3. But what exactly is a GV60 Magma?
Combined output reaches 641 horsepower in Boost mode.
The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 264 km/h.
The model is expected to arrive this summer.
Extreme performance
The Magma name first appeared in the Genesis universe two years ago, at this very same New York Auto Show. In spring 2024, the company unveiled three Magma concepts, including the GV60. What Genesis was signaling at the time was the eventual arrival of a performance sub-brand, models that would have everything it takes to impress on that front. The GV60 Magma gives us our first real taste of what that means.
The Genesis Magma Concepts, at the 2024 NY Auto ShowDesign
The first thing that grabs your attention is, of course, the colour, a dead ringer for molten lava. You have to be comfortable standing out, because it is simply impossible to go unnoticed behind the wheel of this vehicle. Aerodynamic accents are visible throughout: fins at the front, side skirts along the flanks, and a spoiler at the rear that leaves no doubt about the car’s intentions. Twenty-one-inch wheels complete the look.
Inside, the design is recognizably GV60, with the key difference being orange accents everywhere: on the screen graphics, seat stitching, and the decorative trim scattered throughout the cabin. Even the key fob is orange. For those who prefer a bit more discretion once they step outside the car, Genesis also offers a black key fob as an alternative.
A powertrain built to impress
The heart of the GV60 Magma is a pair of powerful electric motors, one on each axle. With Boost mode engaged — active for up to 15 seconds — combined output reaches 641 horsepower, with torque standing 582 lb-ft. That is enough to dispatch the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.4 seconds. Genesis even provides the 0-200 km/h time: 10.9 seconds. And if you have access to a track, you can push the car to a top speed of 264 km/h.
G90 Wingback Concept is a Knee-Buckling Extension of Genesis’ Magma Vision at New York Auto Show
If the 641-horsepower figure rings a bell, your instincts are right. That is exactly what the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N offers. The GV60 Magma borrows the same formula, but layers luxury and refinement on top.
A completely reworked chassis
The engineers did not stop at simply turning up the power. The suspension has been completely redesigned, with a lowered centre of gravity. Genesis promises more than 18 percent improvement in cornering grip and a 10 percent increase in vertical tire load compared to the standard model. The track has been widened by 10 mm in total, and wide 275-millimetre tires mounted on lightweight forged wheels round things out.
Braking is handled by 15.75-inch discs. The stop from 100 to 0 km/h takes just 33.8 metres, a figure that puts the GV60 Magma in a class of its own. Regenerative braking is active on all four wheels.
A torque vectoring system coordinates the two motors, the electronically limited-slip differential, and the brakes to intelligently distribute power between the axles. A new system also calculates body roll and pitch under braking, adjusting the suspension accordingly to keep the car on its intended line.
The brand has even integrated a Drift mode, a first for a Genesis electric vehicle.
Five modes, two philosophies
The GV60 Magma offers five driving modes. Range, Comfort, and Sport will be familiar, but two new ones make their debut: Sprint and GT. The first unleashes the full aggression of the powertrain for track use, while the second aims for a balance between performance and fluidity, in the tradition of great grand touring machines.
The accelerator pedal itself has been recalibrated for each mode, with progressive resistance that varies according to the intensity of the driving style.
The GV60 Magma kicked off its Canadian tour in Montreal, as mentioned at the outset. Its arrival at dealerships will coincide with summer. At that point, all the details — including Canadian pricing — will be confirmed. Expect something in the neighborhood of $90,000.
Beyond all of this, what Genesis is revealing with this model is a clear ambition: to be taken seriously in the high-performance segment, with the numbers to back it up.
