5 Minutes
Genesis pushes GV60 Magma around the globe in final test push
Genesis is taking no chances with its first dedicated high-performance electric model. The GV60 Magma — Genesis' hotly anticipated performance EV — has embarked on a worldwide testing tour designed to validate its speed, handling and everyday comfort before an official launch later this year. The program reads like a checklist for extremes: Arctic cold, desert heat, high-altitude ice and home-track tune-ups.
Where and why Genesis tested the GV60 Magma
Arjeplog, Sweden — winter torture tests
Engineers began in the frozen landscapes of Arjeplog to study traction control, low-temperature battery behavior and chassis balance on slippery, icy roads. These sub-zero trials are standard for performance cars, but they’re especially important for EVs because battery chemistry and electric motors respond differently to cold than combustion powertrains.
California Proving Ground — desert heat and thermal management
From Sweden the prototype flew to the United States, landing in California’s proving grounds where high ambient temperatures and sustained high speeds stress powertrain cooling systems. At these sessions Genesis focused on consistent power delivery under load, battery thermal management and motor durability to prevent heat soak during hard driving.
New Zealand — high-altitude refinement
The tour moved on to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground in New Zealand at around 1,500 m elevation. On icy mountain roads and thin-air conditions, engineers concentrated on braking feel, chassis precision and how the adaptive suspension reacts to open, technical corners.
South Korea — final tuning and track laps
The closing chapter of the test campaign occurred in Genesis’ backyard. Teams ran the GV60 Magma from the Namyang R&D Center across mixed highways and demanding mountain passes, then completed intense sessions at Inje Speedium racetrack. These last miles were crucial to balancing racetrack agility with the refined ride quality expected from a luxury brand.
What Genesis aims to achieve
The stated goal is clear: build an EV that can serve as a comfortable daily driver in city traffic while offering racetrack-caliber performance when demanded. That duality defines the emerging segment of performance electric cars — raw acceleration paired with refinement and usable dynamics.
- Durable thermal management for sustained performance
- Adaptive dampers and chassis tuning for cornering precision
- Traction control calibrated for both low-grip and high-speed scenarios
- Selectable synthesized sound profiles to enhance driver engagement
Performance expectations and platform relations
The GV60 Magma rides on the same electric foundation as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, platforms already stretched to extremes by the 641-hp Ioniq 5 N and the EV6 GT. The current GV60 Performance model makes 483 horsepower and hits 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in about 3.7 seconds. With Hyundai Group siblings posting mid-3 to low-3 second sprints, Genesis appears to be targeting around the 3.0-second mark for the Magma.
That would put the GV60 Magma squarely in super-sedan territory for EV performance. Expect bespoke software, possibly a higher-output dual-motor setup, and a hardware package that includes larger brakes, a tuned differential strategy and adaptive dampers for track-capable handling.
Design, pricing and market positioning
Spy shots and concept cues suggest a more aggressive look than the standard GV60: a lower stance, large 21-inch wheels, an assertive rear wing and a pronounced rear diffuser. The exterior will be engineered to match function with form — additional cooling, greater downforce and wider tracks for improved corner grip.
Genesis has not released pricing for the 2026 GV60 Magma. Given that the 2025 GV60 Performance opens near €60,500, industry observers expect the Magma to carry a premium. Early estimates put a U.S. entry point north of $63,200, with higher-spec trims pushing into premium performance-EV price territory.
How the GV60 Magma fits the market
The Magma marks Genesis’ formal entry into the hot EV arena and coincides with the brand’s 10th anniversary — a strategic debut that underscores Genesis’ ambitions to compete not just on luxury but on pure performance. As the premium sibling in the Hyundai Motor Group, Genesis will be under pressure to match or exceed the performance of Hyundai N and Kia GT models while delivering the refinement buyers expect from a luxury marque.
Quick highlights
- Expected 0–97 km/h: around 3.0–3.2 seconds
- Likely features: dual motors, adaptive dampers, bespoke cooling, selectable sound modes
- Styling: lowered stance, 21-inch wheels, rear wing and diffuser
Genesis’ global testing tour demonstrates a methodical approach: validate hardware across climates, then refine software and chassis behavior at home. For enthusiasts tracking EV performance, the GV60 Magma promises to be one of the most interesting entries of the year — and we won’t have to wait long to find out whether it can outgun its Hyundai and Kia cousins or even flirt with the 700-hp headlines some fans are hoping for.
Source: arenaev
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