► New Genesis Magma program launches
► Korean brand enters the high-performance ring
► Kicks off with GV60 Magma concept
This is your first look at the GV60 Magma, one of the first high-performance vehicles from Genesis’ newly created Magma sub brand. Pitched as the ultimate blend between performance and comfort, the Magma label should propel Genesis to the public eye – and to Le Mans in 2026.
The picture here shows the GV60 Magma as it completes its final stages of testing. Cold weather testing was completed in early 2025 in Arjeplog, before the car went to California for hot weather testing. After that came high altitude trails in Spain and New Zealand.
Expect to see the final version of the GV60 Magma before 2026. In the meantime, you can read our review of the standard GV60.
CAR originally broke the news in 2023, confirming that Genesis was investigating the feasibility of offering high-performance models in its future range of vehicles direct from the source at the brand’s Seoul HQ. The brand has now confirmed that it intends to create a Magma performance edition for each of its models in the range – everything from the GV60 to the G80 and GV80.
And it looks like Genesis has been doing quite a bit to slowly warm us up to the idea of a hot Genesis. First, there was the GV80 Coupe concept, which launched at the 2023 New York motor show in its eye-catching ‘Magma’ orange colour. Then, at the Gran Turismo World finals in December 2023, the brand unveiled the X Gran Berlinetta VGT – an extreme concept car that’s designed for use within the Gran Turismo video game. Elsewhere, the Middle East arm of Genesis unveiled a G80 Performance model painted in Magma and coming complete with an aggressive bodykit.
The GV60 Magma concept is the first car to wear that new Magma name with pride. As well as ‘enhanced performance’ and ‘ample power’ – CAR understands that figure to be more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N‘s 641bhp – the GV60 Magma concept features a slammed ride height, an extreme bodykit with air ducts for brake cooling and more downforce and aerodynamically-designed 21-inch grey wheels.
Genesis chief creative officer, Luc Donckerwolke, says that the brand will ‘continue to reveal experimental concepts with careful consideration of both technological and aesthetic elements. While speed and performance are important, the Genesis Magma program will look beyond.’
Jake has been an automotive journalist since 2015, joining CAR as Staff Writer in 2017. With a decade of car news and reviews writing under his belt, he became CAR's Deputy News Editor in 2020 and then News Editor in 2025. Jake's day-to-day role includes co-ordinating CAR's news content across its print, digital and social media channels. When he's not out interviewing an executive, driving a new car for review or on a photoshoot for a CAR feature, he's usually found geeking out on the latest video game, buying yet another pair of wildly-coloured trainers or figuring out where he can put another car-shaped Lego set in his already-full house.
With contributions from
Curtis Moldrich Digital Editor
By Jake Groves and Curtis Moldrich