Genesis Takes Aim at AMG, M, and RS
Genesis is still a young automaker, but it’s already making some of the top cars in their respective classes. Its models have won over critics, the owners are generally happy, and the continuous push for improvement is worthy of applause. 20 years ago, the idea of a standalone Korean luxury marque was almost unimaginable, but Genesis aced its homework, and the results are showing.
Now, it’s taking aim at the luxury performance heavyweights from Germany. In late 2025, Genesis launched the Magma brand, and there are several models to look forward to down the line. It had already announced a model – the GV60 Magma, which will arrive this summer.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
The GV60 Magma
It’s easy to dismiss the GV60 Magma as a posher version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The thing is, it’s much more than that. While the two cars share the same basic architecture, the Magma takes a different route with an extra dose of luxury. Whereas the Hyundai places greater emphasis on rowdiness, the Genesis elevates it into a more refined package.
Of course, there are some sporting bits here and there, so we couldn’t really call it a sleeper. Its slippery body is adorned with very visible aero enhancements, and the orange brake calipers proudly show off its more athletic intentions. The cabin is standard GV60 fare, though there are lashings of suede and orange highlights to set it apart from non-Magma versions.
Power output is exactly the same as the Ioniq 5 N. That means 641 hp, 583 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated 0 to 60 time of under four seconds. But outright speed isn’t the main highlight here. Instead, the GV60 Magma flexes its intelligent drive modes, and we’ll likely see it in future Magma products.
Genesis
GT and Sprint Modes
Like the Ioniq 5 N, the GV60 Magma has a dedicated button that lets the user scroll through various drive modes. Simply dubbed the Magma button, it houses GT and Sprint modes, both of which are pretty clever. GT Mode firms up the suspension, sharpens up the steering, and puts the motor and e-LSD in a higher setting. The all-wheel drive system also switches to rear-wheel drive speeds pick up, but reverts to all-wheel drive the deeper the pedal input.
As for Sprint Mode, it puts everything in its most aggressive arrangement. Everything is set to Sport + mode, stability control intervention is further reduced, and it stays in all-wheel drive at all times, constantly shifting power between the front and rear wheels. Engaging either mode activates the auto-boost function, giving the driver a 15-second window to unleash all the horses once the accelerator is fully depressed. Sprint Mode then unlocks launch mode, race mode, and the virtual gear shifts.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Think of GT and Sprint as a ‘set and forget’ mode that eliminates the need to dig into the infotainment system to configure it. Mind you, there is still a wide variety of individual adjustments that can be made, but pressing the Magma button simplifies most of them. That said, we’ll only know how it works once we get behind the wheel of one. But given how good the Ioniq 5 N already is, we have even greater expectations from the GV60 Magma.
Genesis
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor