The Korean luxury brand’s first proper performance EV is here, and it means business.
Genesis has been playing the long game in the luxury market, patiently building credibility while the Europeans rested on their laurels and the Americans, well, did whatever it is American luxury brands do these days. Now, with the GV60 Magma, the Korean upstart has decided to stop being polite and start getting competitive.
The numbers speak rather loudly. Combined output from the front and rear motors hits 650 PS — that’s 641 horsepower in old money — making this the most powerful Genesis ever produced. The sprint to 100 km/h takes just 3.4 seconds. Top speed? A properly serious 264 km/h. This isn’t a luxury EV that happens to be quick; it’s a performance car that happens to be luxurious.
The Technical Wizardry
At the heart of this transformation lies some genuinely clever engineering. The dual motors spin up to 20,920 rpm, delivering 790 Nm of torque — enough to rearrange your internal organs if you’re not paying attention. Genesis has also introduced what it calls “next-generation two-stage motor control,” which addresses the high-speed power limitations that plague most electric vehicles. In plain English: it doesn’t run out of puff when you’re already going fast.
Then there’s Boost Mode, which gives you 15 seconds of maximum output — up from the standard GV60’s 10 seconds. Fifteen seconds doesn’t sound like much until you’re using it on a track and realise it’s actually quite a long time to have everything turned up to eleven.
“Our engineers achieved something truly remarkable,” said Manfred Harrer, who runs Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D division. “They created a car that is not only fast, but truly Genesis.” The corporate speak aside, he’s not entirely wrong.
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ABOVE: GV60 Magmas
Five Flavours of Drive
The GV60 Magma offers five distinct drive modes, because apparently three wasn’t enough and seven would be excessive:
Range Mode prioritises efficiency for those times when you need to actually get somewhere without drama.
Comfort Mode balances performance with livability — your default setting for the school run.
Sport Mode sharpens everything up for when the roads get interesting.
Sprint Mode is the full track-day experience: aggressive torque delivery, hair-trigger throttle response, and absolutely no concern for your electricity bill.
GT Mode delivers what Genesis describes as “effortless cruising with commanding acceleration when needed” — essentially a long-distance setting that hasn’t forgotten this is supposed to be fun.
The Details That Matter
Perhaps the most interesting detail is the accelerator pedal tuning. Genesis has increased resistance across all modes to enhance control, with lighter resistance for gentle inputs during daily driving and greater resistance for more aggressive applications. It sounds minor, but anyone who’s driven an overly sensitive EV will appreciate the thought.
The pedal feel changes with each drive mode, creating what Genesis calls “a smooth and intuitive connection between the driver and the vehicle’s subtle power.” Whether that’s marketing poetry or genuine engineering insight, we’ll reserve judgement until we’ve actually driven the thing.
Where This Fits
Genesis isn’t officially sold in Australia — yet — but given Hyundai’s recent aggressive expansion and the growing presence of the brand in right-hand-drive markets, it’s increasingly a matter of when rather than if. The GV60 Magma suggests Genesis isn’t content to compete solely on value and warranty length; it wants to be taken seriously as a performance brand.
With the European establishment still working out how to make exciting electric cars and Tesla seemingly more interested in robotaxis than driving dynamics, there’s a gap in the market for a properly engaging luxury performance EV. The GV60 Magma appears to be Genesis’ answer.
Whether Australian enthusiasts will ever get the chance to experience it remains to be seen. But for now, it’s worth noting that the Koreans are no longer just catching up — they’re pushing ahead.
More Genesis at GayCarBoys
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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