Genesis has launched the GV60 Magma in Australia, marking the brand’s first high-performance production model and a new flagship for its electric vehicle range.
Priced from $130,000 before delivery and on-road costs, the GV60 Magma combines an 84kWh battery, dual-motor all-wheel drive and a claimed 0–100km/h time of 3.4 seconds.
Standard output is 448kW and 740Nm, rising to 478kW and 790Nm for around 15 seconds when Boost Mode is activated.
Genesis also claims a 0–200km/h time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 264km/h.
The company has not included an official driving range figure in the Australian launch material, which will be an important consideration for buyers comparing the GV60 Magma with other premium performance EVs.
Chassis and braking upgrades
The Magma is not simply a higher-powered version of the standard GV60.
Genesis has revised the suspension geometry, recalibrated the roll centres and added electronically controlled suspension with end-of-travel management.
Hydraulic front suspension bushings and dual-layer rear crossmember bushings are intended to reduce harshness and vibration, while maintaining the sharper responses expected from a performance model.
The GV60 Magma sits lower and wider than the regular GV60 and uses forged 21-inch wheels with 275mm Pirelli P Zero tyres.
Braking hardware includes 400mm front discs, 360mm rear discs and monoblock calipers.
Genesis claims the vehicle can stop from 100km/h in 33.8 metres.
Drivers can also choose between different brake pedal settings. Comfort mode provides a more progressive response, while Sport mode delivers a firmer and more immediate feel.
Virtual gears and driver modes
Like several recent high-performance EVs, the GV60 Magma uses software to recreate some of the interaction normally associated with petrol-powered performance cars.
Its Virtual Gear Shift system adjusts motor output, torque and regenerative braking to simulate gear changes. Synthetic engine sounds are also included.
Drift Mode alters power distribution and electronic limited-slip differential settings to produce a more rear-biased driving character.
Three drive modes are available: Sprint, GT and MY.
The configurable MY mode allows the driver to adjust settings including the electronic limited-slip differential and electronic stability control.
A High-Performance Battery Control function can prepare and maintain the battery temperature for more demanding driving conditions.
The digital instrument display can also show motor temperature, battery temperature, speed and G-force, while the head-up display provides information including remaining Boost Mode time.
Equipment and interior
The GV60 Magma retains the broader luxury and technology features of the GV60 range.
Standard equipment includes a 27-inch OLED display integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment system, a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, head-up display, augmented-reality navigation and wireless smartphone connectivity.
The cabin also includes heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, remote parking assistance and digital key functionality.
Vehicle-to-load capability is fitted, along with a heat pump and over-the-air software updates.
Genesis says the number of vehicle functions that can be updated remotely has increased from 18 to 45.
The interior uses suede-like Chamude material across the seats, centre console and door trims, with orange and grey detailing.
Exterior changes include a wider front bumper, canard wings, side skirts, rear diffuser and a Magma-specific spoiler.
Limited fleet relevance
At $130,000, the GV60 Magma is unlikely to be a mainstream fleet choice.
It also sits above the price threshold for the fringe benefits tax exemption available to eligible electric vehicles, reducing its appeal as a tax-effective novated lease option.
Its likely audience will be private buyers, executives and novated lease customers more interested in performance and specification than total cost of ownership.
Genesis includes five years or 75,000km of scheduled servicing and a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private vehicles.
However, the unlimited-kilometre warranty does not apply to vehicles used for commercial purposes, so Fleet Managers will need to confirm the applicable coverage before ordering.
The GV60 Magma is significant less for its fleet potential and more for what it shows about the direction of the premium EV market.
Manufacturers are increasingly using electric platforms not only to improve efficiency, but also to create high-output flagship models that strengthen brand identity and compete with established performance vehicles.
