The Genesis GV60 Magma Performance EV Has Virtual Gears And A Drift Mode

• The production version of the Genesis GV60 Magma Performance EV has been revealed.
• Packing two electric motors, the premium crossover tops out at 650 hp.
• Sitting lower and wider than the regular GV60, the Magma EV comes standard with a drift mode and virtual gear shifts.

This is the Genesis GV60 Magma, and it’s going into production. As the automaker’s first foray into the performance electric car segment, it lays the groundwork for a decade-long rebranding as a “luxury high performance” marque.

In other words, the low and wide electric crossover you see here is very important for the company that makes it, so it needs the right ingredients to deliver the promised luxury and high performance. Thankfully, it seems to check all the right marks, at least on paper.

Photo by: Genesis

Based on the same underpinnings as the excellent Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N, the Genesis GV60 Magma packs two electric motors–one at the front and one at the rear–making a maximum combined output of 641 horsepower (478 kilowatts) and 582 pound-feet (790 Newton-meters) of torque. There’s an asterisk here, though, as these figures are only available for 15 seconds at a time, only when the so-called Boost Mode is activated, which allows the driver to overtake more easily in a pinch.

That said, even in the regular driving mode, the GV60 Magma is no slouch, sending 601 hp (448 kW) and 545 lb-ft (740 Nm) to all four wheels.

Photo by: Genesis

With Launch Control enabled, the high-performance GV60 crossover can sprint from a standstill to 124 miles per hour (200 kilometers per hour) in 10.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 164 mph (264 kph). That’s hardly relevant for everyday driving, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

Just like its Hyundai cousins, the GV60 Magma comes with a few features that gamify the whole driving experience. The Virtual Gear Shift system (VGS) simulates gear changes, the Drift Mode adjusts the rear electronic limited-slip differential and power distribution for a rear-biased setup to help drift more easily on the track, and the High-Performance Battery Control (HPBC) optimizes the high-voltage battery temperature, keeping it in check when the driver decides to do several hot laps around a track.

The go-fast GV60 crossover sits 20 millimeters lower and is wider than the regular version, thanks to a set of extender wheelarches. Magma-exclusive 21-inch forged wheels clothed in 275 mm wide tires hide a set of monoblock calipers and large-diameter brake disks. The suspension system has also been optimized by recalibrating the roll center and refining the geometry, compared to the non-Magma models. The go-fast EV also gets Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) and End-of-Travel (EoT) control systems that can strike an “ideal balance of cornering stability and ride comfort,” the company claims. 

Design-wise, Genesis said it tried to steer clear of “overtly ostentatious or overly aggressive styling” and instead went with a look that can be described as “subtle, untapped power.” In practice, this means there’s a functional rear wing, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and glossy black finishes on the window frames and exterior moldings.

Inside, the sport seats, door cards and center console are covered in a material called Chamude, which is supposed to be suede-like. Orange and gray stitching can be seen throughout the cabin, while black high-gloss and dark metal finishes adorn buttons and switches.

There’s also a dedicated digital interface, with a bespoke Magma Mode that brings up a three-circle layout on the digital instrument cluster. It displays basic driving data, including motor and battery temperatures, as well as the speed and G-force. The latter is a little gimmicky, but it’s all part of the gamification theme.

There’s no word on the battery’s capacity or the estimated range. That said, the Genesis GV60 Magma will likely get the same 84-kilowatt-hour pack that powers the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N. In the Ioniq 5 N, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% state of charge in around 18 minutes from a 350 kW DC fast charger. In the U.S., the performance-oriented Hyundai Ioniq 5 is EPA-rated at 221 miles of range, and the Genesis GV60 Magma should offer something similar.

Genesis said its first-ever performance EV will arrive in showrooms in its home market of South Korea at the beginning of next year. Later in 2026, the GV60 Magma will also be introduced in North America and Europe.

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