Genesis is pushing further into the high-performance electric vehicle market with the new GV60 Magma, a performance-focused version of its compact luxury electric SUV that combines 650PS, all-wheel drive and rapid charging with the premium interior and technology expected from the Genesis brand.
The GV60 Magma is the first production model from Genesis’s Magma performance programme and gives the brand a direct rival to some of the increasingly capable high-performance electric SUVs now available to UK buyers.
Priced from £75,915 on the road in the UK, the GV60 Magma combines an 84kWh battery with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. In its most powerful Boost Mode, it produces 478kW, equivalent to 650PS, and 790Nm of torque.
That translates into a claimed 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds, while the top speed is 164mph.
For Genesis, however, the GV60 Magma is about more than simply producing a fast electric SUV. The company has extensively reworked the chassis, brakes, suspension, aerodynamics and interior to create a model designed to deliver a more engaging driving experience without abandoning the refinement associated with a luxury vehicle.
What Is The Genesis GV60 Magma?
The GV60 Magma takes the existing Genesis GV60 and transforms it into a much more performance-orientated model.
Rather than simply increasing the power output, Genesis has made extensive changes to the vehicle’s dynamics. The suspension geometry has been revised, the braking system upgraded and the body given a more aggressive aerodynamic treatment.
The result is a vehicle that looks considerably more purposeful than the standard GV60.
At the front, the GV60 Magma features a redesigned bumper with larger air intakes and a distinctive triple-vent design. The wider bodywork and side skirts contribute to a lower, wider stance, while the rear features a prominent full-width spoiler designed to reduce lift and improve high-speed stability.
The vehicle also receives 21-inch forged wheels fitted with 275mm-wide Pirelli tyres. The lightweight forged construction is designed to reduce unsprung weight, while the wide tyres provide additional grip.
It gives the GV60 Magma a much more aggressive appearance while retaining the relatively compact dimensions of the standard GV60.
650PS And 790Nm Of Torque
Performance is clearly one of the main attractions of the GV60 Magma.
The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system normally produces up to 609PS and 740Nm, but activating Boost Mode temporarily increases output to 650PS and 790Nm.
For readers unfamiliar with the difference between power measurements, our guide to PS vs BHP explains how the two figures compare.
Boost Mode provides maximum performance for up to 15 seconds, giving the driver an additional burst of power when maximum acceleration is required.
Genesis quotes a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds, putting the GV60 Magma firmly into performance-car territory.
The performance credentials don’t end with straight-line acceleration, either.
Genesis has fitted the GV60 Magma with larger brakes, including front monobloc callipers and 400mm discs, along with high-friction rear brake materials. The suspension has also been extensively revised to improve cornering stability and body control.
Designed For More Than Straight-Line Speed
One of the more interesting aspects of the GV60 Magma is the amount of attention Genesis has given to the driving experience.
The vehicle gets dedicated GT and SPRINT driving modes.
GT Mode is designed for high-speed cruising while retaining a balance between performance, comfort and efficiency. SPRINT Mode, meanwhile, prioritises performance and is intended to provide a more focused driving experience.
There is also the ability to customise the vehicle’s behaviour, while the car’s electronic systems can manage the distribution of power between the front and rear motors.
The GV60 Magma uses an all-wheel-drive system, sending power to both axles. For a closer look at the differences between different drivetrain layouts, see our guide to FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD.
Genesis has also introduced Virtual Gear Shift, which simulates the sensation of changing gears in a conventional performance car.
Using the steering-wheel paddles, the driver can simulate gear changes, while the system also provides engine-inspired sounds to make acceleration feel more familiar to drivers accustomed to petrol-powered performance cars.
It is an interesting approach at a time when many performance EVs are attempting to address one of the biggest differences between electric and combustion-powered performance cars: the involvement of the driver.
84kWh Battery And Rapid Charging
Despite its focus on performance, the GV60 Magma remains a fully electric vehicle designed for everyday use.
It uses an 84kWh battery and an 800V electrical architecture, allowing it to take advantage of very rapid DC charging.
Genesis quotes a 10-80% charging time of approximately 18 minutes when connected to a suitable high-power DC charger.
For businesses considering how electric vehicles can be charged at home, at work or through public networks, our guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Explained: Home, Workplace & Employee Solutions for UK Businesses provides a wider look at the charging infrastructure required to support EV use.
The UK model has an official WLTP range of 264 miles.
That figure is lower than some less powerful electric SUVs, but this is unsurprising given the GV60 Magma’s performance focus, larger wheels, wider tyres and dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
For buyers considering a high-performance EV, the trade-off is therefore clear: the GV60 Magma prioritises acceleration, handling and driver engagement over maximum possible range.
The fast charging capability is important because it helps make the vehicle more practical for longer journeys despite that relatively modest range.
A Luxury Interior With A Performance Focus
The GV60 Magma doesn’t abandon Genesis’s emphasis on luxury in pursuit of performance.
Inside, the vehicle receives Magma-specific seats with 10-way electric adjustment, heating and cooling, as well as additional bolstering designed to provide greater support during enthusiastic driving.
The steering wheel is also unique to the Magma and features dedicated controls for the vehicle’s performance functions.
An orange Magma button allows the driver to select the performance-focused modes, while a separate Boost button activates the temporary increase in power.
The interior design incorporates Magma-specific colours and detailing, helping distinguish the model from the standard GV60.
Genesis has also equipped the car with its 27-inch panoramic display, which incorporates the vehicle’s digital instrumentation and infotainment functions.
When Magma modes are selected, the display changes to a dedicated interface showing information relevant to performance driving, including boost, RPM and simulated gear position.
Technology Designed Around The Driver
The technology in the GV60 Magma is not limited to entertainment and connectivity.
A dedicated head-up display can provide key driving information without requiring the driver to look away from the road.
The car also incorporates Genesis’s driver assistance technology, including Lane Keeping Assist and Highway Driving Assist.
Highway Driving Assist can help maintain speed and distance from vehicles ahead, while Lane Changing Assist can assist with lane changes when the relevant conditions are met.
The result is a combination of high-performance technology and everyday usability.
That is important for Genesis because the GV60 Magma is not intended to be a track-only special. It needs to function as a luxury SUV for everyday driving before providing additional performance when the driver wants it.
Bang & Olufsen Audio And Active Sound Design
The GV60 Magma also demonstrates how Genesis is attempting to make electric performance feel more engaging through the senses.
The vehicle can be equipped with a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, while noise-cancelling technology is intended to keep the cabin quiet during normal driving.
At the other end of the spectrum, Active Sound Design+ can generate a performance-oriented sound during acceleration.
Combined with Virtual Gear Shift, the system attempts to replicate some of the sensory feedback associated with a conventional high-performance car.
For an electric vehicle, this is an interesting area because instant torque and near-silent acceleration are simultaneously some of the biggest advantages and biggest challenges of performance EVs.
The GV60 Magma therefore uses software to add another layer of interaction between driver and vehicle.
The Genesis GV60 Magma For Business Users
The Genesis GV60 is also available to business users through Business Contract Hire, providing an alternative way for companies to access a high-performance premium electric SUV without purchasing the vehicle outright.
For businesses considering an electric company car, the GV60 combines strong performance with the technology, comfort and premium equipment expected from a luxury vehicle.
Businesses considering the wider benefits and considerations of leasing a vehicle can also refer to our Business Car Leasing: The Complete Guide for Companies and Fleet Managers guide.
Its combination of electric performance, rapid charging and all-wheel drive could make the GV60 an interesting option for businesses looking to add a more premium electric vehicle to their company car fleet.
What About The Expensive Car Supplement?
The GV60 Magma’s price also puts it firmly into the higher-value vehicle tax bracket.
With a list price comfortably above £40,000, buyers should be aware of the UK’s expensive car supplement, which is applied to eligible vehicles above the relevant threshold.
Our guide to the £40,000 VED Threshold And Expensive Car Supplement explains how the additional charge works and why it can affect the overall cost of running a higher-value vehicle.
Genesis GV60 Magma: A New Direction For Genesis
The GV60 Magma represents an important step for Genesis.
The brand has traditionally positioned itself around luxury, comfort, design and technology, but the Magma programme gives it an opportunity to compete more directly with established performance divisions from premium manufacturers.
The GV60 Magma is particularly interesting because it does not attempt to turn the GV60 into an uncompromising sports car.
Instead, Genesis has combined substantial performance with luxury, technology and everyday usability.
The result is a 650PS electric SUV capable of 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds, with rapid 800V charging, a 264-mile WLTP range and a cabin designed to remain comfortable away from high-performance driving.
The GV60 Magma also forms part of a wider expansion of the Genesis electric vehicle line-up. The brand’s larger Genesis GV90 demonstrates how Genesis is extending its electric range further into the luxury SUV market.
For UK buyers considering a premium electric vehicle, the GV60 Magma provides another option at a time when the high-performance EV market is becoming increasingly competitive. Our guide to the Top 10 Electric Cars to Lease in 2026 provides further information on the wider choice available to drivers considering an electric car.
More importantly for Genesis, it establishes Magma as a genuine performance identity rather than simply another trim level.
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