641bhp Genesis GV60 Magma is coming for the Porsche Macan

The Genesis GV60 Magma has made its world debut, promising to bring a new high-performance element to the premium brand as it looks to challenge the likes of Porsche.

Borrowing high-tech elements from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the GV60 Magma packs up to 641bhp and comes with a drift mode and simulated gear shifts.

Genesis says it is the start of a new vision for the brand centred on “luxury high performance” that brings a sharper edge without compromising its existing premium feel and refinement.

Genesis president Luc Donckerwolke said, “Magma reveals a new facet of Genesis, one that elevates the brand towards true luxury through performance. Through Magma, we’re injecting adrenaline into the Genesis DNA while preserving the elegance and balance that define true luxury.”

At the heart of the new Genesis GV60 Magma is a two-motor powertrain producing 601bhp/546lb ft in “normal” mode and up to 641bhp/583lb ft when the big orange Boost button on the steering wheel is pressed. That’s roughly the same as a Porsche Macan Turbo and gives similar performance, with 0-62mph taking just 3.4 seconds and standstill to 124mph taking just 10.9 seconds. Top speed is 164mph.

But Genesis says the GV60 Magma is about more than just power and speed, with a focus on driving dynamics and “balanced power”.

The standard suspension has been updated and refined with new bushings and crossmembers as well as tweaks to the geometry. Genesis’ engineers have recalibrated the roll centre and the GV60 gets electronic control suspension “end-of-travel” control systems to balance body control and cornering stability with ride comfort. The brakes have also been upgraded with monoblock callipers and bigger discs to aid stopping.

Like the Ioniq 5 N and related Kia EV6 GT, the GV60 Magma gets a Virtual Gear Shift System (VGS), which adapts the motor power, torque and regenerative braking to recreate the action of dual-clutch automatic gearbox and adds synthesised engine note. There’s also a dedicated drift mode that adjusts the traction control and electronic limited slip differential for a rear-biased experience, and a high performance battery control to deliver peak performance on track.

Visually, the GV60 Magma sits 200m lower than the standard car, with flared wheel arches for a broader, more aggressive stance. It rides on Magma-exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels and the front bumper has been designed with a new three-hole structure that is echoed in the bespoke side skirts. At the rear there’s a wing-style spoiler and redesign bumper and diffuser to aid aerodynamics. Along with the striking Magma Orange paint, this sportiest GV60 gets high-gloss black and dark metal trim elements to create a monochrome palette.

Inside the seats, door trim and centre console are wrapped in Chamude, a “suede-like” material that’s finished with grey and orange stitching. The orange theme continues with the ambient lighting and the usually bright switchgear is finished in the same gloss black or dark metallic finish as the exterior trim.

The GV60 Magma gets the same twin 12.3-inch screen setup as the rest of the range but with exclusive display modes. In “Magma Mode” the instrument cluster gets a three-circle layout, displaying motor and battery temperatures, speed and G-force, while the head-up display provides a simplified view of key information such as speed, regenerative braking levels and remaining boost time.

The GV60 Magma is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in 2026. There’s no word on pricing but expect a significant lift on the current twin-motor GV60 Performance’s £67,715 starting price.