► Specs and details of new Genesis EV
► It has a drift and boost modes!
► Plus, wireless charging is on the cards
Genesis has revealed further details about its new GV60 electric crossover, which will make up part of the European range from 2022 onwards. It's one of the brands future EVs that are expected to join the range, along with the G80 Electrified (which has already been confirmed) and the GV70 Electrified (which hasn't yet).
The new GV60 uses e-GMP battery and platform tech from the Hyundai Motor Group to deliver a slicker, posher electric car.
That's, er... striking!
As is every Genesis model. This mid-size crossover has a distinct lack of vents for what's customary by Genesis standards, though, given the powertrain underneath. But the brand's design cues remain – the 'crest grille' is shoved right to the bottom of the front bumper, and the quad headlights remain. A clamshell bonnet hides some of the car's electronics and, presumably, a place to store your charging cables. Genesis also points to the 'volt' motif on the C-pillar.
Inside is equally eye-popping. Loads of leather, big screens and digital dials as well as a 'floating' centre console much like the Ioniq 5.
But, more importantly, the GV60 introduces some trick details that the Hyundai or Kia's EV6 don't get. The 'crystal sphere', for a start, is a glowing glass ball that acts as the shifter for drive and reverse. When the car is off, you get to see a backlit crystal ball that then flips when the car is on.
Genesis also points out that the GV60 has facial recognition cameras on the door pillars to allow access without a key, and biometric fingerprint scanners (that didn't work during our video conference demonstration – whoops) to start the car – again, without a key. Digital camera mirrors will be offered, with viewing screens inset into the doors.
The e-GMP platform underneath also means a flat floor, a floating centre console and loads of rear passenger space.
e-GMP underneath, you say?
Absolutely, which has already impressed us with Kia and Hyundai's efforts. Every GV70 will have a 77.4kWh battery pack, and there will be rear- and all-wheel drive variants.
The rear-drive version has 225bhp and 258lb ft from its single e-motor, with Genesis promising 280 miles on a charge.
There are also two all-wheel drive versions. The first makes 314bhp and 446lb ft, good for 249 miles of range. The second, performance variant develops 429bhp and 446lb ft, and Genesis says it's capable of 229 miles on one charge.
Along with the power variants, Genesis also says your GV60 can be had with a Boost mode button, amping up power for a short 10-second burst, allowing a four-second 0-62mph time. There's also a drift mode – something rather uncouth for a supposedly posh EV – that allows just the right level of power distribution between the front and rear e-motors to allow the GV60 to slide.
What about charging?
Given the E-GMP underpinnings, the GV60 can be charged on either a 400 or 800-volt architecture, with charging capacities up to 350kW. Genesis claims the fastest chargers can mean a 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 20 minutes. There's also 'vehicle to load' functionality (again like the Ioniq 5 and EV6) which allows you to plug in devices inside and outside the car.
Something that was pointed out during a demonstration video but not talked about during the reveal video conference was wireless charging. There's a moment in the video where the GV60 drives over a pad on the floor and the car begins charging immediately. Hyundai Motor Group is working with WiTricity to develop the technology, having demonstrated it back in 2018 at the year's Geneva motor show. We'll update this with more details when we get it.
When can I get one?
The rollout will be slow, with Genesis' home market of South Korea getting access first. Expect a European debut towards the end of 2022.
Read our Genesis reviews