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A yellow-green Genesis GV60

The Genesis GV60 Is the Luxury Brand’s First Dedicated Electric Car

The Genesis GV60 is the luxury brand's first electric car built on a dedicated EV platform. Specifically, the same one the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 ride on. But the GV60 brings some touches from the X Concept, including a clamshell hood and rotating shifter.

Korean luxury brand Genesis’s lineup already offers several stylish sedans and crossovers/SUVs. But as of this writing, its EV options in the US are nonexistent. However, that’s about to change. In addition to the upcoming electric G80 sedan, the brand is getting an electric crossover: the Genesis GV60. And the funky exterior design is just the start of what it offers.

The Genesis GV60 is designed from the ground up to be an electric car

A yellow-green Genesis GV60
Genesis GV60 | Genesis

While the Genesis GV60 technically isn’t the brand’s first electric car, it is the first built on a dedicated EV platform. The Electrified G80 was unveiled before the GV60, but it rides on the same platform as the standard G80. That essentially makes it an internal combustion car converted into an EV.

In contrast, the Genesis GV60 rides on the same E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, MotorTrend explains. That means it was designed from the start to be an electric Genesis. And, like the Ioniq 5 and EV6, the GV60 has a hatchback-like layout. But it also bears style and design elements from the X Concept, including a clamshell hood. No word, though, if those side-view-mirror-replacing cameras will make it to the US.

As of this writing, Genesis hasn’t released any technical details about its upcoming electric crossover. However, since it uses the Ioniq 5’s and EV6’s platform, the GV60 will likely have similar specs, Roadshow muses. That means a 77.4-kWh battery pack with a choice between single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD. With the former setup, the Ioniq 5 has 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque; with the latter, 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. And if the GV60 matches the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s range claims, the RWD version could go up to 300 miles on a charge.

Gaze into the ‘Crystal Sphere’ while charging wirelessly—or use it to shift gears

The blue-leather front seats and blue-and-brown dashboard and center console with Crystal Sphere shifter in a Genesis GV60
Genesis GV60 front interior and dashboard | Genesis

Speaking of charging, since the Genesis GV60 rides on the E-GMP platform, it should be fast-charging compatible. Hooked up to a 350-kW charger, the Ioniq 5 can go from 10%-80% charge in 18 minutes. Theoretically, the GV60 should be able to do the same.

But the electric crossover has another charging trick up its sleeve. If the rumors are correct, the GV60 will be one of the first production EVs to offer wireless charging from the factory, InsideEVs reports. Up until now, only BMW has offered wireless charging to customers, but it was limited to California residents. Genesis will likely do something similar, offering wireless charging to some GV60 buyers in a pilot program, InsideEVs notes.

In addition, there’s something else the Genesis GV60 borrows from the X Concept: its shifter. Genesis calls it the ‘Crystal Sphere,’ and initially, that’s what it looks like—a glowing crystal ball. However, that’s only when the EV is stationary, Motor1 explains. When you’re ready to drive, the Crystal Sphere rotates 180° and reveals its other, polished-metal side. Turning it side-to-side shifts the EV into Drive, Neutral, and Reverse, while going into Park requires pressing a button. And the shifter also has a button for cycling through the various drive modes.

When can you buy the electric Genesis GV60 crossover in the US?

As of this writing, Genesis hasn’t released pricing details for the GV60 electric crossover. And there’s also no firm delivery date.

However, the brand expects US deliveries to start sometime in 2022. MT says the EV will likely be a 2023 model and “sticker for north of $50,000.” For comparison, Roadshow estimates the 2022 Ioniq 5 will start at roughly $40,000. On paper, the higher price makes sense, given that Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand.

Given that most of the details on the Genesis GV60 are still under wraps, it’s difficult to compare it to other electric crossovers. But it does mean the Korean brand will have one more model to tempt buyers.

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