Certain, the Genesis GV60 could share its underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 nevertheless it seems like a very completely different automotive. In reality, it is without doubt one of the absolute best electrical automobiles presently on sale.
Most would agree that the Genesis model has been on fairly a roll in recent times. Simply a few years after the corporate’s formation in late 2015, the Korean model put the sports activities sedan institution on discover with the very good G70 and has since adopted it up with a raft of different spectacular automobiles, together with the present era G80 and G90, in addition to the GV70 SUV and GV80 SUV.
Each present Genesis mannequin is spectacular however as we just lately found, it’s the GV60 which may simply be the corporate’s absolute best.
A twist on a well-known powertrain
Underpinning the GV60 is Hyundai’s Electrical-International Module Platform (E-GMP) which brings with it a flat flooring and helps two powertrain configurations in Australia. Sitting on the base of the vary is the GV60 AWD which contains a 74 kW (99 hp) electrical motor on the entrance axle and a 160 kW (214 hp) motor on the rear axle, leading to a mixed 234 kW (314 hp) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) of torque.
Through the Christmas and New 12 months interval, we had the possibility to check and stay with the flagship GV60 Efficiency AWD. This variant rocks a 180 kW (241 hp) motor on the entrance and a 180 kW (241 hp) motor on the rear, good for 360 kW (483 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque in Enhance Mode or 320 kW (429 hp) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) in each different driving mode.
Each GV60 fashions obtain their juice from the identical 77.4 kWh battery pack discovered within the flooring. The usual AWD has a claimed WLTP vary of 470 km (292 miles) whereas the Efficiency AWD has a WLTP vary of 466 km (289 miles). Costs for the GV60 AWD begin at AU$113,003 ($79,389) driveaway whereas the GV60 Efficiency AWD is accessible from AU$120,305 ($84,519) driveaway.
The battery of the GV60 is similar because the one discovered within the Ioniq 5 and EV6, so it advantages from all the identical expertise. Which means it’s geared up with a 400/800 V multi-rapid charging system that reinforces the 400V provided by a charger to 800V. It takes a mere 18 minutes to cost the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent via a 350 kW charger. The GV60 additionally contains a battery conditioning perform to maintain the battery on the optimum temperature that may even preheat the battery to ship higher efficiency when the ambient temperature is low.
The GV60 additionally provides Car to Load features via the ability socket positioned beneath the rear seats and the socket that may be plugged into the charging port. It delivers 3.6 kW of energy, greater than the common energy provide of a house, and enormously provides to the flexibility of the electrical SUV.
Korean quirkiness
In fact, there’s far more to the GV60 than its powertrain. First are the seems.
I’ve pushed lots of of automobiles in recent times and I don’t assume any of them have turned as many heads because the GV60.
Genesis describes its present design philosophy as ‘Athletic Class’ and there’s no denying that the GV60 is a hanging automobile to have a look at, no matter whether or not you hate it or like it. The entrance finish is especially daring due to the signature Crest Grille, clamshell bonnet, and the LED Quad Lamps discovered up entrance.
Different key design particulars of the GV60 embody the LED taillights, rear LED mild bar, the digital aspect mirrors, flush electrical door handles, intriguing C-pillars with a V-shaped chrome motif, and a set of 21-inch wheels on the Efficiency AWD mannequin we examined. Making our check automotive stand out much more was the Matterhorn White matte paint.
A very distinctive cabin expertise
For as dramatic as the outside of the GV60 is, it’s the cabin of the SUV that’s the actual spotlight.
Genesis says the inside makes use of a Korean architectural philosophy emphasizing the ‘Great thing about White Area.’ Whereas that seems like advertising and marketing jumbo to us, the inside is definitely a stunning place to spend time and feels a bit like a spaceship.
Slide into the driving force’s seat and also you’re offered with a two-spoke steering wheel clad in plush leather-based with loads of metallic buttons. Look to your left and you’ll discover the eye-catching design of the door panels with round handles, a round controller to regulate the digital mirrors, and loads of soft-touch suede.
The GV60 additionally rocks a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display screen, and a 3rd display screen offering haptic suggestions to function the local weather management. Then we come to the piece de resistance of the inside, the ‘Crystal Sphere.’
When the automotive is switched off, the Crystal Sphere will seem as a glass orb housing a posh array of ambient lights however when the GV60 is turned on, the Crystal Sphere spins round, presenting a Shift-By-Wire selector. Certain, it’s a little bit of a gimmick nevertheless it seems good, is practical, and in addition ensures you don’t by chance spin the rotary controller for the infotainment display screen as an alternative of choosing your required gear, an issue we encountered with the GV70.
Learn: 2023 Genesis GV60 EV Begins Simply Underneath $60,000 And Affords Up To 248 Miles Of Vary
The cabin is loaded with loads of different welcome touches. These embody 18-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence perform, driver’s seat therapeutic massage features, heated and ventilated entrance seats, a superb Head-Up Show, heated steering wheel, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with Digital Radio, and a wi-fi telephone charger.
Awe-inspiring efficiency
Provided that the GV60 shares its platform and battery with the Ioniq 5 and EV6, we thought it might really feel precisely like its two extra inexpensive siblings on the open street. That couldn’t be farther from the reality. First, the ability.
Apart from the almighty EV6 GT, the GV60 Efficiency AWD is the quickest of the three fashions and all of the accessible variants. With Enhance Mode enabled, the SUV fires to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds, pinning your head again into the seat and leaving you with a smile from ear to ear. Do a tough launch with the traction and stability management programs disabled and the GV60 will spin up its wheels, leaving thick black strains alongside the street and sending plumes of tire smoke into the air. Not one thing you’d anticipate from an all-electric, all-wheel drive, luxurious SUV from Genesis.
It’s the identical story when making a flip. If the traction and stability management programs are disabled, the GV60’s inside entrance wheel will spin up with ease, one thing that the Ioniq 5 and EV6 won’t do.
So what’s the GV60 like when pushed alongside a mountain street? Enjoyable, that’s what.
Genesis has not produced an EV that eats up a twisting street like a sports activities automotive and when pushed laborious, the load of the SUV turns into obvious. With that being stated, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires present loads of grip (except you’re too pleased with the throttle) however extra importantly, these tires are extraordinarily quiet.
Working along with the Lively Noise Management – Street system that features as a complicated energetic noise cancellation system, the GV60 is nearly silent, even at freeway speeds. Not solely is there nearly no noise from the tires however there’s additionally little or no wind noise, thanks partially to the digital aspect mirrors.
Like different EVs from the Hyundai group, the GV60 provides 5 ranges of adjustment for the regenerative braking which are chosen with the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. They vary from a Stage 0 setting the place the SUV will coast once you raise off the throttle via to i-Pedal the place you possibly can drive the Genesis with only one pedal, which is what we did more often than not. We’ve stated it earlier than and we’ll say it once more; being able to regulate the brake regeneration with paddles ought to develop into the trade normal. It’s so a lot simpler than diving into an EV’s infotainment settings and trying to find the brake regeneration settings, as you must do for some rivals. Genesis has additionally completed a superb job to make sure the transition from regenerative braking to the mechanical brakes is sort of seamless.
What concerning the digital mirrors?
At first, changing into accustomed to the mirrors takes a while, significantly given the quirky positioning of the display screen on the driving force’s aspect however after a couple of hours, we received used to them. Are they vital? Completely not and if we had been shopping for a GV60, we’d order it with conventional mirrors. The digital mirrors work brilliantly however apart from barely bettering the aerodynamics of the EV, there’s no actual benefit to having them on a day-to-day foundation.
An EV that each luxurious purchaser ought to take into account
It’s not fairly often that we check a automotive with as few flaws because the Genesis GV60 Efficiency AWD.
From the sheer pace to its dramatic exterior and inside design, its charging speeds, versatility, and opulent and comfy experience, Genesis’ first ground-up EV ticks nearly each single field. All it wants is an additional 100 km (62 miles) of vary.