The Magma has 641 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Hyundai Ioniq 5N pioneered a system that simulated the sound and feel of a powerful gas engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, powered solely by a couple of electric motors. It added a layer of immersion that was new to electric cars. What seemed gimmicky at first is now seeing more widespread use by performance brands such as Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.
Now, luxury arm Genesis is using the same template for its first performance vehicle, the 2027 GV60 Magma, but with a distinct sound and character.
Shortly before hopping in the new Magma, I was skeptical about just how engaging it would be. I quickly learned otherwise while carving through mountain roads south of Seoul, where the car proved to be an adrenaline-pumping pleasure.
The Magma packs an 800-volt, dual-electric motor powertrain that Genesis has extensively modified to produce up to 641 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, giving this electric crossover some serious acceleration.
Factory figures quote zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.4 seconds, zero to 200 in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 264 kilometres an hour. Like the standard GV60, power comes from an 84-kilowatt-hour battery pack capable of DC fast-charging from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.
The front seats and dash of the Magma.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Magma gets distinct rocker panels and a large rear wing.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
It looks fast, too, with flared wheel arches to accommodate the wider track and wheels, functional canards, additional cooling vents on the front bumper, distinct rocker panels and a large rear wing.
Redesigned suspension components – including the lower arms, hub carriers and link structures – alter the geometry to significantly lower the roll centres. Lightweight forged wheels reduce unsprung weight while wider, more aggressive rubber increases mechanical grip.
This is much more than just a power boost and a stiffer suspension tune. Engineers went to great lengths to distinguish the Magma from the regular GV60. Upgrades include larger brakes, a new chassis control system that incorporates a brake-based torque vectoring system and an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle. There’s also more structural adhesive, additional weld points and strengthening braces added to increase torsional rigidity.
The new hardware and software upgrades actively mitigate under- and oversteer. The result is a natural, intuitive driving feel that simplifies high-speed cornering.
The Magma has orange stitching, orange seatbelts and suede-lined door panels.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Press the Magma button on the steering wheel to unleash the car's peak performance.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
On a series of switchbacks carving through mountains carpeted in lush green foliage near Cheongju, South Korea, the Magma was a genuine surprise. Even with its extensive performance credentials, a heavy electric crossover doesn’t exactly get my pulse racing. However, this Genesis had a couple of aces up its sleeve: virtual gear shifts and an active sound system that simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with a V6 engine that spins up to 9,000 rpm.
It even features speakers located in the bumpers to project that simulated engine note outside the cabin, extending the façade to onlookers.
What’s remarkable is the programming. It replicates the jolt of an aggressive gear change, and fuel cut-off when you hit the limiter, refusing to swap gears until you pull a paddle.
Downshift a few cogs and the regenerative brakes mimic engine braking to slow you down without the need for the brake pedal. It feels and sounds so natural that, after just a few minutes, you’ll be convinced Genesis hid an actual engine and gearbox under the hood.
The LED headlights on the new Magma.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The orange stitching and seat belts continue to the rear seats.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Of course, if this doesn’t appeal to you, the entire system – including those exterior bumper speakers – can be switched off, leaving you with a sporty, well-sorted electric car. But honestly, you’d be missing out. This software gives the Magma a compelling duality that you don’t find in other electric vehicles.
The reworked suspension keeps the GV60 nearly flat through hard cornering. The tires offer seemingly limitless stick while the rear end stays planted through all but the most judicious application of the right pedal. A built-in drift mode loosens traction control to make it easier to hold long smoky slides, though that wasn’t something we could safely test on public roads.
The GV60 is also comfortable, with supportive microsuede bucket seats and a compliant ride – though admittedly, South Korea’s roads are much smoother than what we tolerate in Canada. There’s also orange stitching, orange seatbelts, suede-lined door panels and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The GV60 Magma is the inaugural model of a new performance division within the brand. This new sub-brand aims to deftly blend performance with luxury rather than focus on lap times or hardcore track results. The Magma moniker and its signature bright orange colour are inspired by Korea’s volcanic landscape, symbolizing the powerful molten rock surging just beneath the surface.
Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke said in a press release that the Magma brand was born out of a desire to explore new dimensions within the Genesis lineup. The timing of the GV60 was deliberately planned around the company’s 10-year anniversary and Donckerwolke said that introducing a high-performance model any sooner would have been premature.
As a relatively young brand, Genesis lacks the global recognition enjoyed by long-established luxury players like Mercedes, BMW and Lexus. To fast track its awareness, the company formed Genesis Magma Racing, making its debut at the 24 hours of Le Mans earlier this month. Out of the two cars entered, one crossed the finish line 13th overall, surviving the brutal endurance race and satisfying the company’s primary objective.
Production of the GV60 Magma has started at the Hyundai facility in Ulsan, South Korea, with initial customer deliveries expected later this summer. While official pricing hasn’t been released yet, the standard GV60 starts at $84,600, meaning buyers should expect the Magma to command a healthy premium.
The trunk on the GV60 Magma.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Tech Specs
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma
- Price: To be announced
- Powertrain: Dual-electric motors
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): 641/583
- Transmission/drive: Single-speed direct drive/all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption: To be announced
- Alternatives: Cadillac Optiq V, Tesla Model Y performance, Porsche Macan Electric
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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