Hyundai’s luxury offshoot Genesis has launched its first true electric model, the GV60 SUV.
The five-seat SUV features an eye-catching plunging coupe roofline and sits on Hyundai’s EV-specific, E-GMP platform which it shares with Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 EVs.
Although the larger GV70 is available with an electric powertrain, it has not been designed from the ground up as an EV.
GV60 comes in two highly equipped models, AWD priced from $103,700 — and Performance AWD from $110,700.
Both variants come with an extensive safety suite of systems, plus futuristic technologies such as fingerprint recognition and digital mirrors which replace physical side mirrors with cameras.
AWD is equipped with a 160kW motor for its rear wheels and 74kW motor for its front wheels, which provide a total output of 234kW and maximum torque of 605Nm.
Performance AWD combines 180kW front and 180kW rear motors to deliver a total output of 360kW in Boost Mode, with maximum torque of 700Nm.
The Boost Mode button, located on the steering wheel, activates additional performance for 10 seconds and enables the Performance version to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds (4.6 seconds without boost).
That’ll put a bit of excitement in your day.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 5
Genesis GV60
Kia EV6
Peas in pod . . . Hyundai Ioniq 5, Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6.
Both variants feature a 77.4kWh battery which provide a driving range of 470km (WLTP) per charge for the AWD variant and 466km (WLTP) per charge for the Performance AWD variant.
An efficient rear-wheel-biased e-AWD system features a Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) that can separate or connect the motor and the drive shaft according to driving conditions.
The system lets GV60 – or the driver – seamlessly switch between RWD and AWD to maximise efficiency through the reduction of transmission losses.
Active Sound Design (e-ASD) provides a choice of artificial driving sounds through the SUV’s speakers, synced to vehicle speed and accelerator inputs.
A choice of three sounds includes a ‘Futuristic’ that symbolises the direction of future mobility, a soft and sporty ‘G-Engine’ sound based on engine noises and ‘E-Motor’ sound which reimagines the electric motor sounds.
GV60 is the first Genesis vehicle built on the EV-specific Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) which gives brings a choice of AWD and Performance AWD powertrains.
With a 350kW commercial rapid charger the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes. A wall box installed at home will take around seven hours.
Although the car comes with a Portable Emergency Charging Cable (ICCB), at this stage we can’t tell you how long it takes to charge from a standard power point — at least 24 hours if not longer.
Included in the purchase price is a choice of five-year Chargefox subscription or home A/C charger and installation.
It also features Vehicle 2 Load (V2L) which means it can be used to power external appliances.
GV60 will arrive here in September as the first of a trio of new Genesis EVs arriving this year.
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