New York show: Wild Genesis GV60 Magma electric hatch previews high-performance family to fight BMW M and Mercedes-AMG

March 29, 2024April 10, 2024 John Mahoney 10597 Views AMG, bmw, Genesis, GV60, M, Magma, Mercedes-Benz

The hot new 2024 Genesis GV60 Magma revealed in New York this week is a sign of what’s to come from the Hyundai luxury brand’s own high-performance sub-brand.

Also named Magma, it will challenge the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.

Said to be close to production, the Genesis GV60 Magma previews a fast EV that Australians should be able to buy from around as soon as next year.

In the metal you won’t mistake it for the regular all-electric GV60 it’s based on that went on-sale in Australia in 2022, not least because the show car came painted in a retina-searing shade of Magma orange.

It features comprehensively redesigned aerodynamics created to maximise downforce and reduce drag while enhancing cooling.

The key changes include a lower new front bumper that sports a wider and lower central air intake that channels cool air to the EV’s motors, battery and brakes.

There’s also new air curtains and motorsport-derived canards with the extra blades said to generate real downforce. New wheel arch extractors slash turbulence within the wheel-arches and reduce lift over the front axle.

There’s even the addition of three stamped holes above the air dam that are intended to provide yet more cooling jets of air to the advanced powertrain.

Giving the Magma nice squat proportions are broader tracks and the extended front and rear wheel-arches that cover them.

The Magma version of the Genesis GV60 also gets a set of fresh titanium-coloured 21-inch aero disc alloy wheels that reduce drag and keep the brakes chilled.

Even the roof hasn’t escaped the aerodynamicists attention. A pair of new fins added to manage air flow around the GV60’s body channel it carefully to the rear wing to generate extra downforce for greater stability at high speed.

Inside clamping the driver and passenger in place there’s a pair of bucket sports seats with orange body-coloured rear back rests.

Instead of delivering a stripped-out racer feel, the more supportive pews are wrapped in Nappa leather and suede, and get double-diamond stitching in the Magma orange colour and titanium grey.

Genesis hasn’t revealed what powers the GV60 Magma concept, but we suspect when the production model is unwrapped it will share the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N’s dual-motor powertrain and produce at least 478kW and 770Nm.

If so, expect ballistic performance from the fast EV that will rival both the Tesla Model Y Performance and Kia EV6 GT, with a 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.5 seconds likely.

It’s not clear if the new Magma family of high-performance EVs and combustion-powered Genesis models will be developed in-house or be honed by the same Hyundai N division that created the IONIQ 5 N.

However, but lending a hand in its gestation has been former F1 driver, all-round motorsport legend and 1977 Bathurst 1000 winner, Jacky Ickx, although it’s not yet known what role the Belgian driver is playing.

The GV60 Magma was displayed in New York alongside the ultra-limited G80 Magma Special built for the Middle East, plus a scale model of the wild 787kW X Gran Berlinetta concept created for online racing last year.

Genesis has declared it wants to produce a high-performance version of every car it makes.

“Genesis Magma presents an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of performance and luxury for new interpretations in high-performance vehicles, with the ultimate goal of developing models exclusive to Genesis,” said chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke.

“The brand will continue to reveal experimental concepts with careful consideration of both technological and aesthetic elements.

“While speed and performance are important, the Genesis Magma program will look beyond, prioritising the driving experience to kindle the joy of sporty driving with effortless comfort.”

The GV60 Magma is being shown in New York this week alongside the Genesis Neolun concept, which is thought to preview a Range Rover rivalling SUV due in 2025 that could carry the GV90 nameplate.