Genesis GV60 Spied Benchmarking The Porsche Taycan
Hyundai-owned Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma as a concept, while the production version will spearhead the Korean luxury brand's performance sub-brand. There are a lot of brands, but the aim appears to be to put the Magma brand on the same par as AMG, BMW M, and Audi Sport. However, CarSpyMedia spotted and filmed the camouflaged Genesis GV60 Magma, along with the upcoming Ioniq 6 N, seemingly out winter testing with a Porsche Taycan. This is fueling speculation that Genesis is benchmarking one of the Taycan models for performance. Which Taycan model is hard to tell from the video.
316-1.png
Genesis
Genesis was initially launched as a Hyundai vehicle model - the Genesis sedan in 2004 - but in 2015, it became a standalone luxury brand in the same vein as Toyota's Lexus or Honda's Acura. Since then, the G90 has become a symbol of Korean luxury in a German-dominated premium market, and with new plans to take on the likes of AMG with a Magma performance sub-brand, Genesis is showing no signs of slowing.
We're Not So Sure
In reality, it's hard to tell whether Genesis is benchmarking a Taycan at all, let alone for performance. For performance, it would be a logical choice, but winter testing as we're looking at it in the video is going to be more about honing stability control systems, endurance, and functionality at sub-zero temperatures. Of course, the engineers and test drivers could be on their way to a more open location like a frozen lake for more high-speed testing and benchmarking. They could also just be stuck behind a couple of guys in a Taycan that happen to be out on what looks like a well-used icy road.
genesis gv60 magma spy1
Why There's So Much Speculation
There are a lot of questions we, like everyone interested in performance EVs, have that Genesis simply won't answer yet. For example, the Ioniq 5 N is one of the most ground-shifting performance EVs launched, and the GV60 is based on the Ioniq 5, so will the Magma exceed the 5 N's ability? Genesis says that the GV60 Magma will use an upgraded battery and improved electric motors over the GV60 Performance, which can hit 483 horsepower in short bursts. The Ioniq 5 N hits 641 hp with N Grin Boost applied. However, we suspect the Magma team will have been told to lean on the luxury side and leave the most hardcore performance to the Hyundai N team.
Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Track Debut - 250131~2
Genesis’ Hottest Magma Supercar Makes Its First Racetrack Appearance
The former concept and virtual race car sounded like it had a growling V8 underneath, but we can't be too sure.
The GV60 Magma will likely not be a track weapon like the 5 N, but we'll have to see - Genesis is taking Magma's motorsport image seriously. However, doing that and competing with other luxury automaker's performance models will be a tough road to tread. As it sits, the 5 N is ridiculously fast with its three seconds to 60 mph and awesome track ability for less than the fastest models at twice or three times the price.
Ioniq 6 N Is Out There As Well
We've no doubt that, like the 5 N, the Ioniq 6 N will be a track weapon and, as it's a sedan rather than a taller crossover, it might take the level of performance even further. Rumors have suggested the 6 N might be Hyundai's most powerful car yet, but it's more likely it will use the 5 N's duel motor setup with the same 84.0-kWh battery pack and have the same 641 hp. Any change in acceleration would likely be down to weight, and slight. What it should have, based on aerodynamic differences alone, is a little more range.
