Magma Chamber

The basic Genesis GV60 EV isn’t yet a common sight on our roads, but Genesis already has a hotter one. The automaker brought the souped-up GV60 Magma to the LA Auto Show, following up on a string of concepts since the Magma sub-brand’s launch in March 2024.

Genesis dials up the stock GV60 Performance’s 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and to 641 hp and 583 lb-ft in boost mode, good for 3.4-second sprints from 0 to 60. Sans that extra jolt of juice, the GV60 Magma produces 601 hp and 546 lb-ft—more than enough for your daily commute. (Is that enough for one’s commute to the office these days?)

Powered by the same 84-kWh battery as milder versions of the GV60, the hot hatch is lower and wider than the stock model, with an obligatory, unmistakable spoiler with canards out back. A revised front bumper with three horizontal openings—a Magma visual cue—works to improve battery cooling, while the lower diffuser out back improves aerodynamic performance.

This includes a virtual gear shift system (VGS) that we’ve already seen in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The VGS works by adjusting the torque, motor output, and regenerative braking to mimic the shifts and sounds of an internal combustion engine.

With Magma Mode activated, the instrument cluster will turn into a three-circle layout displaying the speed, g-force, and battery temperatures, while the head-up display will show remaining boost time along with speed and regenerative braking levels.

The Magma serves up three driving modes: Sprint, GT, and MY, with the latter letting the driver tailor the settings of the electronic Stability Control (ESC), electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD).

There is one more acronym to learn, and that’s HPBC, which stands for High-Performance Battery Control. Once VGS and HPBC are engaged the instrument cluster will also show the pedal input levels and a performance timer, so you can perfect your time from home to the office.

Drift Mode is on the menu as well, tweaking the electronic limited slip differential and power distribution to turn the GV60 Magma into a drift machine.

Genesis has beefed up the suspension with Hydro G-Bushings up front and a dual-layer bushing in the rear crossmember to reduce impacts, while Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) should take care of the rest.

Notive that a lot of things are electronic in this car but are dead set on doing an impression of a very hot hatch from the 1990s. Luckily, the performance is already there, and you don’t even have to make engine noises yourself—the car will do that for you.

When it comes avoiding that ditch, Genesis has upgraded the braking system with front monoblock calipers and large-diameter discs for its Magma-only forged 21-inch wheels, with the rear setup offering GG-rated high-friction materials.

On the inside, Genesis has reworked the cabin by trimming the seats, center console and door trim with a suede-like material called Chamude, adding Magma-specific details like orange and gray stitching. The steering wheel features a unique rim design, and the switches and buttons inside have been given a dark metal or high-gloss finishes to minimize glare.

It’s easy to focus on the performance enhancements, but let’s not gloss over the greater questions of why Genesis feels like it needs a luxury EV crossover with this much performance hardware, or how many it hopes to sell each year.

“Magma reveals a new facet of Genesis, one that elevates the brand towards true luxury through performance,” explains Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Genesis, perhaps unhelpfully.

Once the GV60 Magma goes on sale, another question will be whether the boost in power from 483 hp to 641 hp will be worth the boost in price and a drop in driving range. The standard GV60 Performance already has a 252-mile EPA rating, and the Magma will inevitably take a bite out of that number, while also requiring a premium over the Ioniq 5 N and its $67,475 starting price.

The GV60 Magma should start around $75,000 when it goes on sale next year, landing during a renewed EV power race between German automakers. The Germans appear unfazed by ever-higher curb weights and prices to put what were just recently supercar levels of performance into family crossovers doing school runs. (You’ll never arrive late to first period again).

Genesis wants a slice of this bonkers market, and with the GV60 Magma it now has the hardware to make it happen.