Genesis sends GV60 Magma on world tour of testing ahead of official debut

Genesis is preparing to enter the high-stakes world of performance electric cars. The company is putting the final touches on its first-ever high-performance model, the GV60 Magma. To ensure the car can handle both blistering speed and daily comfort, Genesis has sent it on a worldwide testing tour, subjecting it to some of the planet's most extreme conditions before its official debut later this year.

Engineers started in the frozen landscapes of Arjeplog, Sweden, testing the GV60 Magma's behavior in severe winter weather. From there, the car was flown to the United States to experience the scorching heat of the California deserts, where at the California Proving Ground, testers pushed the electric motors and battery systems to their limits in the name of consistent power delivery without overheating.

The tour continued to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground in New Zealand, where the car faced sub-zero temperatures at altitudes of 59,055 inches. On the icy mountain roads, the focus was on chassis precision, traction control, and braking.

After surviving the extremes of heat and cold, the final real-world assessments took place in the company's home country of South Korea. Engineers drove the GV60 Magma from the Namyang R&D Center on a mix of highways and challenging mountain roads. They also completed intensive laps at the Inje Speedium racetrack.

That last stage of testing was crucial for fine-tuning the balance between the raw power needed for a racetrack and the refined, comfortable ride expected from a Genesis luxury vehicle. The company says the goal was to create an electric car that feels just as at home in city traffic as it does on a racetrack.

The Genesis GV60 Magma is built on the same foundation as its corporate cousins, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. This shared platform has already proven its performance capabilities with the wild 641-horsepower Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the speedy Kia EV6 GT.

Inevitably, this will bring up a bit of a family rivalry. As the premium brand in the group, Genesis will feel the pressure to offer performance that at least matches, if not better, its Hyundai and Kia cousins. The standard GV60 Performance model already delivers 483 horsepower, but the Magma is expected to play in a different league entirely.

Genesis has not confirmed the final powertrain details, but the numbers from its relatives give us a good idea of what to expect. The current top-tier GV60 Performance model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Kia EV6 GT does it in 3.2 seconds, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N achieves the sprint in 3.0 seconds.

It is a safe bet that the GV60 Magma will land somewhere very close to that 3.0-second mark. Along with the straight-line speed, we expect the Magma to feature a specially tuned suspension with adaptive dampers to handle corners with precision, along with selectable, synthesized sounds to accompany the otherwise silent electric powertrain.

Prices for the 2026 Genesis GV60 Magma have not been announced, but since the 2025 GV60 Performance trim starts at $70,900, we expect the Magma to start at least above $74,000 in the US. The new, hot Genesis will likely carry a premium for its extra power and specialized equipment.

Judging by the concept version and spy photos, the production model will feature aggressive styling, including a lowered stance, large 21-inch wheels, a big rear wing, and a rear diffuser, making sure it looks as fast as it drives.

The arrival of the GV60 Magma falls on the 10th anniversary of the Genesis brand, and what better way to celebrate than with a first step into the performance market? Being the last high-performance addition to the Hyundai family, the GV60 will benefit from the latest developments in EV tech, but will it be the most powerful? Will we see a 700 hp Genesis? Thankfully, we don't have to wait too long to find out.

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