by New Hot Version of Genesis GV60
A new high-performance version of the Genesis GV60 is coming soon thanks to the Magma division. Although it will share many components with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT, Genesis emphasizes that this electric vehicle will have a unique character, partly due to special software.
Development and Tuning in Europe
The new GV60 Magma was developed in Korea, but all subsequent Magma cars will be created and tuned at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center near Frankfurt, Germany. This facility is headed by Tyrone Johnson, who played a key role in creating the latest Ford Focus RS, making him the ideal candidate for this job.
In a recent conversation with Top Gear, Johnson noted that Magma models developed in Germany will begin to hit the market in 2027, including versions based on the GV80 and G80. He also confirmed that electric Magma models will be more sophisticated and luxurious than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
N is the “angular hooligan”. Magma is not about the track, although it will be capable of it. It’s a more refined, luxurious driving machine. It should be about power, and changes to the engines are important. But it shouldn’t be the most powerful in its class. Sufficient power is needed. Weight is always important. It is independent of luxury. You must focus on weight, partly because range is important, and you get diminishing returns with a larger, heavier battery.
Software Revolution
Johnson added that for most of his 40-year career in the automotive industry, differentiating one car from another “was about mechanical engineering.” Now, he says, “it’s all software,” adding that it is now possible to “radically change a car through software.” Presumably, this means the GV60 Magma, like other Magma products, will have different software than the vehicles from Hyundai’s N division, giving them unique driving characteristics.
Most likely, the GV60 Magma will have the same dual electric motors and 84 kWh battery as the Ioniq 5 N. Thus, it will have over 600 hp and will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 3 seconds.
Genesis’s approach to creating Magma as a separate, more elegant, and technologically advanced division indicates growing competition in the high-performance electric vehicle segment. The emphasis on software and weight, not just power, could be a key factor in attracting buyers looking for a combination of performance, comfort, and efficiency. It also demonstrates how traditional automotive aspects, such as luxury and dynamics, are adapting to the era of electric vehicles, where software plays an increasingly crucial role.
