Review of the new Genesis GV60 prototype

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The GV60 is the most convincing Genesis model to date, even if the brand’s pricing confirms that it will also be one of the most expensive in this flagship release. Even so, this pre-production car has contributed to many of the areas that a luxury electric vehicle should be, with solid performance, good range and excellent charging capabilities, plus improved performance. Advancement, quality and technology is sound. With a calibration point or two finally developed to really round out the GV60’s capabilities, it should be a strong high-end EV contender.

Genesis launched in Europe last year with a range of ‘new’ products – mostly cars that they sold elsewhere globally but were new in the UK, helping them win homes. High-end production like Mercedes and Audi.

However, while there were electricity The previously announced Genesis models, this GV60 EV is the luxury arm of Hyundai Motor Group really collects speed – and we sampled a UK pre-production car in Sport Plus trim (prices from £65,404) to see if the Genesis has a chance to compete with premium EVs as Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron.

GV60 is based on the parent company’s E-GMP platform – the same architecture that underpins the impressive Kia EV6 and reign Express car of the yearthe Hyundai Ioniq 5.

This means it packs a 77.4kWh battery in its 2.9 meter wheelbase for a claimed range of 289 miles, and with 350kW charging, a 10-80 percent full charge takes 18 minutes; Sport Plus trim denotes that the battery powers a pair of electric motors, one per axle for all-wheel drive.

Collectively, they deliver 429bhp and 605Nm of torque, but push the steering wheel-mounted Boost button and each engine receives a 10-second boost of 27bhp for a total of 483bhp and 700Nm of torque. Despite the GV60’s significantly more than 2-ton kerbweight, this should be enough for a 0-62mph time of 4 seconds.

The impact of thrust is immediate and sure as you explore the GV60’s full performance, but even in a straight line, you’re aware of the weight, as the car lurches in the back and swoops forward. prior to.

Of course, this is a pre-production model and is not representative of the final calibration process, so Genesis will certainly prepare a final setup or two before a customer picks up their car – but that’s it. good news at this late stage of development.

Weight is again obvious when it comes to handling. As a result, the GV60 really rolls, which really gives a sense of how much grip it has. The front end has a significant bite to turn into a roundabout, while an electronic limited-slip differential at the rear helps to further squeeze the flow of the car when you hit the gas; Gentleness is best here until you get the wheels straight, but once they are, the ferocity of acceleration is superb.

The ride was fine, if a bit inconsistent on our car’s 21-inch wheels. It’s mostly smooth on undulating roads, but occasional bumps hit the cabin with responses that are worse than you might imagine with some minor blemishes, but the results are much smoother for collisions that you think will really upset the car.

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It’s already a refined car when it comes to driving comfort, but if Genesis engineers could tweak the car’s Road Preview system – which uses sat-nav information and an active camera to scan road ahead, setting the suspension to deal with the bumps it detects – then it will activate its dynamic performance even further.

The slight inconsistency in throttle response when stopping in Eco and Normal modes is the only other notable point, as the car’s steering feels quicker and more aggressive than its Ioniq sibling.

Inside, the E-GMP’s clever packaging means plenty of leg room and headroom in the rear, but then with a length of more than five meters you can expect this from the GV60. The powered tailgate reveals a load area of ​​432 liters, which is just enough.

There’s plenty of space up front too, while the infotainment is straightforward, featuring the same smooth, responsive system we’ve experienced elsewhere in E-GMP-based cars to date. .

Quality is sound, with plenty of tactile surfaces that seem to match the hefty price tag, even if the brand image may not be quite in the eyes of some people yet.

But that’s not for us to decide and with this GV60 Genesis looks set to change perception. Its distinct design sets it apart, while the interior, technology and driving experience return to the depth that is all derived from the platform on which the car is based. Genesis fees start here.