Genesis has revealed images of what it is calling its first dedicated electric platform-based vehicle, the GV60, as part of the Korean luxury brand's push towards electrification. The GV60 is based on the Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform, which it shares with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Handsome electric hatch
The Genesis GV60 isn't dissimilar in size and shape to its Hyundai and Kia stablemates. Because of the batteries underneath, the GV60 is taller than a traditional hatchback with a large, wide grille below the stacked quad headlamps to aid in cooling the batteries. The bonnet is clamshell-style meaning that it also incorporates the wings when you lift it up.
Towards the rear, the roofline slopes down in a vaguely coupe-like fashion, though without, hopefully, losing too much in the way of headroom and loading space.
Nearly 500km range predicted
While Genesis has yet to tell us anything about the electric powertrain in the GV60, it's highly likely it will be similar to that already previewed in the Kia and Hyundai. That could mean battery packs of 58- and 72.6kWh, with a maximum range of about 480 kilometres. It's expected that there will be rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants to choose from, the latter using two electric motors putting out up to 306hp.
Electric dreams
According to Managing Director for Genesis Europe, Dominic Boesch: "When we launched in Europe, we committed to bringing three electric cars to the region within our first year; we are proud to confirm the GV60 will be our second electric car for Europe, following soon after the launch of the electrified G80."
So no, the GV60 won't be Genesis's first EV - there's an electrified version of its G80 saloon as Boesch said - but it is the first Genesis built on an electric-only platform.
"The GV60... will provide a totally new experience as a luxury electric vehicle based on our unique brand identity and will also benefit from our unique customer focused offering where service come before sales," said Boesch.
Genesis of a new luxury brand
It's likely that casual Irish observers won't be too familiar with Genesis as the company currently doesn't sell its cars here, at least for now. Genesis is a luxury division of Hyundai (think Lexus's relationship to Toyota or Infiniti's to Nissan) and was launched in 2015. Since then, it has been quietly building market share in the luxury sector, particularly in the US where its handsome saloons and SUVs have been something of a hit. Genesis has just launched in Europe and the UK, but hasn't made it across the Irish Sea yet.
The Irish distributor for Hyundai has previously told us that Genesis could theoretically launch in Ireland by 2023. If that's the case, the GV60 will likely be the car that launches the brand here.