Orange alert! Genesis Magma high-performance brand will launch in Australia in early 2026 targeting BMW M and Benz-AMG
BMW M and Mercedes-AMG are about to get some Korean competition, with the Genesis Magma high-performance brand set to launch in Australia in early 2026.
The local debut will follow hot on the heels of the global launch in Korea in late 2025.
A stove-hot and Lava Orange – Magma’s signature colour – version of the GV60 compact electric SUV will be the debut model.
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But eventually, all Genesis models will have a Magma derivative and virtually all of them should come to Australia.
Both EV and hybrid powertrains will be in the model mix, as well as traditional ICE
The guarantee for the timing and models came from an impeccable source, the global chief of the 10-year old Hyundai-owned luxury brand, Mike Song, during a recent visit to Australia to open a new Sydney showroom.
“Having something like [Magma] in-place for us brings a lot of desirability and credibility to the brand and I think it brings with it a lot of opportunity for us,” he said.
“We’re gonna launch it in the Q4 this year in Korea, maybe Q1 next year in Australia,” Song stated.
“As to what that will mean in numbers, time will tell, but the reality is we know it will really resonate with the Australian public and we’re very excited to bring that to Australia.”
Song said Magma’s potential in Australia would be aided by the local love for high-performance.
“Australia is a very performance orientated market and so that’s been proven by [BMW M and Mercedes-AMG].”
Genesis exploited that by having global ambassador and motor racing legend Jacky Ickx performance demo laps at Mount Panorama racing circuit last week in both a GV60 Magma Concept and the X Gran Berlinetta Concept ahead of the Bathurst 12-Hour race.
Genesis is also expanding its performance profile by entering the WEC and IMSA sportscar championships in 2026.
The GV60 promises to be one hell of a pocket rocket, with much of its performance underpinnings borrowed from the awesome Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
So that suggests outputs of at least 478kW/770Nm and a 0-100km/h time under 3.5 seconds.
The GV60 was one of anumber of Magma concepts that debuted at the New York show last March. It came with comprehensively redesigned aerodynamics created to maximise downforce and reduce drag while enhancing cooling.
Giving the GV60 nice squat proportions were broader tracks and the extended front and rear wheel-arches that cover them.
Price? Well give the standard GV60 is priced from $103,384 in Australia, the Magma will be in nose-bleed territory … just like Ms and AMGs.
Song described a very specific product intent for Magma models.
“We just want the Magma to be … talked about and then recognised by our customer as the iron fist in the velvet glove.”
Other Magma models confirmed by Song include GV70 and GV80 SUVs and both electrified and internal combustion versions of the G80 sedan. Potentially even the ageing G70 sedan gets a Magma version.
The large G90 sedan will be the only Magma model not offered in Australia because it is not built in right-hand drive.
