Genesis GV60. ‘I know my love by his walk’
The Genesis GV60 is the first mass-produced electric SUV from the luxury Korean brand, first demonstrated in 2021 and planned for serial production from 2022. The G in the GV60 stands for Genesis, while the V stands for versatility. The number ‘60’ is a position in the Genesis model range that makes the new GV60 stand out as the sportiest vehicle that exists at the present moment. The sports version develops 100 km/h in 4 seconds, and the maximum driving range reaches up to 450 km.
The new Genesis GV60 is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. At the same time, all these electric vehicles have different body panels and even roof lines. However, they share a number of key characteristics. The owners of the new Genesis electric SUV do not need keys, as the vehicle recognizes them from the camera image. In case something goes wrong, there is a fingerprint scanner. Face Connect technology ensures the facial recognition and is able to open and close doors without a key. An infrared camera should recognize the owner’s face in any conditions: at night or in cloudy weather. The technology can be used to personalize the seat, steering wheel, exterior mirror, heads-up display and infotainment system settings. You can register up to two people per vehicle by creating new profiles using voice commands.
The dimensions of the GV60 are 4,515×1,890×1,580 mm, that is, it is slightly shorter than its counterparts within the E-GMP architecture. At the same time, the wheelbase reaches 2.9 meters, just like the EV6 (Ioniq 5 boasts a 3-meter wheelbase). In the domestic market, the premium SUV will be available with 19-inch and 21-inch wheels, 11 body colors and five trim options. It is still unknown how much it will cost or when it appears in Israel.
Exterior
The 2021/2022 Genesis GV60 features traditional Genesis solutions. Dual headlight strips are a Genesis family feature, but the SUV has modular headlights that can be changed piece by piece rather than as a set. This not only reduces repair costs, but also the amount of waste. The lower grille in the form of a shield not only makes the vehicle look more aggressive, but also participates in cooling the traction battery. The front end of the SUV is elongated, and the rear end, on the contrary, is shorter. Therefore, the SUV looks more like a raised hatchback. The GV60 cannot be confused with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 due to the attention to detail, design and new technologies. The nameplate on the hood is not painted plastic, but metal. It creates a sense of quality, which is important. Plus, the GV60’s design features a lightning. It’s an electric vehicle after all! You will see stylized electrical discharges on the rear pillars and rims.
Interior
Apart from standard black or brown shades, there is a wide choice of interior colors. For example, there is dark blue upholstery with bright yellow contrasting piping and stitching, which looks discreet, but very energetic. For the first time, the brand is using so-called digital side mirrors, which are exterior cameras and displays at the base of the pillar. The e-ASD function offers ‘active sound design’ by playing three ‘soundtracks’ simulating engine noise through the speakers: Futuristic, G-Engine, E-Motor. Active noise cancelling (ANC-R) technology fights extraneous sounds.
The key element of the GV60's interior is the Crystal Sphere switch, an intricately patterned glass ball that glows in different colors. Turning, the ball turns into a gearbox selector, which indicates that the vehicle is ready for driving. The center console is a forward floating structure that houses a storage compartment, which can also be accessed by rear passengers. The glove compartment is retractable, which is convenient, if only because when you open it, nothing falls out on the lid or floor. The 12-inch screen duo is aided by a head-up display.
Moreover, Genesis promised an improved over-the-air update system (OTA Software Update), which will help to obtain up-to-date software not only for the dashboard, head-up display and navigation, but also for the suspension, braking system, steering and airbags.
Driving characteristics
There are three versions of the 2022 Genesis GV60 so far. All of them are equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery, which will provide a driving range of 451 km for the rear-wheel drive GV60 versions and 400 and 368 km (the indicators have not yet been certified) for the all-wheel drive versions. It can be charged at a power of up to 350 kilowatts, which will allow you to ‘refuel’ from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes, while the SUV itself can serve as a backup 3.6-kilowatt power source.
- The Standard version is basic. It is equipped with one rear motor (228 hp and 350 Nm)
- The all-wheel drive version comes with two motors (318 hp and 605 Nm)
- The Performance version is a top-end all-wheel-drive model that produces 435 hp and the same 605 Nm in Sports mode, and activating the Boost function (there is a special button on the steering wheel for this) will increase an output up to 490 hp and 700 Nm for 10 seconds. This will allow you to reach 100 km/h in 4 seconds. The manufacturer also promises a drift mode, which ‘provides athletic driving by optimizing distribution of driving power and braking system’.
