The Genesis GV60 Magma Is One Of The Quirkiest Performance EVs On Sale

Even as a proponent of EVs, I can admit that giving them enough driving character can be tough. Without an emotional powertrain to interact with, EVs are playing with one emotional hand tied behind their back. That isn't such a big deal in economy cars, but in performance cars it can turn enthusiasts off. That's why the Genesis GV60 Magma is so fun, because it adds spice and flavor to the performance EV world, and it's evident in Doug Demuro's newest video.

The Magma's quirkiness shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given its underpinnings. Like with all GV60 models, the Magma is built on the same E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6. And the Magma shares its 641-horsepower, dual-motor powertrain with the Ioniq 5 N hot hatch. So it packs all of the fun of the regular GV60—like the interesting shift dial attached to a rotating ball and the funky body shape—just a lot of extra power and performance.

Photo by: Genesis

With that power comes some additional quirkiness, though. Like the Ioniq 5 N, the GV60 Magma has artificial engine noise, with simulated gear shifts and paddle shifters. Where they differ is the exact engine noise, though. The Ioniq 5 N simulates the sound of a turbocharged four-cylinder, but the Magma pretends to be a V6 that revs to 9,000 rpm. It even simulates the shifts of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. So it might just be an EV, but it's made to feel like a hot-hatch. You can see it in action in Demuro's video, and he says it feels pretty good. Sure, it's fake, but it adds flavor.

There are even different Magma modes that give drivers the ability to tailor their experience. There's a fun spider-chart that gives you a visual of how each mode affects the car's performance and feel, with five different parameters: Motor, Steering, Suspension, E-LSD, and ESC. If your tire budget allows, there's also a drift mode.

It's also just a really nice car to drive, per Demuro. It seems quiet and comfy, despite its impressive performance. For more car enthusiasts to get into EVs, there needs to be more fun ones. Cars needn't be so serious or sensible. Sometimes silly stuff is great just for the sake of being silly. And the GV60 Magma has that.

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