Genesis’ Magma Models Are about Looks—and Performance, Too

• Genesis is aiming to dive further into its performance roots with a new US-bound concept known as the Genesis GV60 Magma.

• Based on the current GV60 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Magma version features a wider, more aggressive stance and wind tunnel-tested aerodynamics.

• In conversation with Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, we learn that the Magma is supposed to split the difference between performance and style.

To say Genesis has been flirting with performance for eight years now would be to betray the budding relationship that already exists inside the Korean luxury brand. Sure, the brand is largely focused on providing a lush sensory experience for its customers, but the mechanics that lie underneath aren't tuned simply for smoothness.

Take the 2024 Genesis G70 we tested on track at the Apex Motor Club. Its target audience likely hugs the middle lane for most highway jaunts, but the prevalence of torquey-turbocharged low-end makes the compact sedan a spirited partner. Rear-drive variants also seem to rotate around their rear axis with a degree of eagerness, for what that is worth.

But creating an ethos of performance is about more than EV boost buttons and middling horsepower numbers. In fact, qualifying performance is most often about feeling, both in your wheel-moving hands and in how it feels to peer at the shape. And if Genesis is good at one thing, it is bringing a diversity of effortlessly subtle shapes to the road.

This prowess is owed in part to Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. With a multi-decade career spanning across the entire Volkswagen Group spectrum, Donckerwolke became chief creative officer for Hyundai Motor Group and the Genesis brand back in 2020.

Under his watch, the Genesis brand has thrived, as Donckerwolke's touch is connected to popular models like the full-size Genesis GV80 and sleek Genesis G90 executive sedan. But now, in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show, the head designer explains the evolution of Genesis' first set of true performance models.

"Genesis Magma presents an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of performance and luxury for new interpretations in high-performance vehicles, with the ultimate goal of developing models exclusive to Genesis," said Donckerwolke.

Revealed as forward-looking concepts, a set of fiery orange slathered models are surrounded by shin-level glass as Donckerwolke talks. Known as the GV60 Magma and G80 Magma, these concepts simply ride on their original platforms. Without many mechanical details from Genesis, it's hard to say how spirited these will truly be.

Plus, US customers won't reap the benefit of Genesis' brightest executive sedan yet, as the G80 Magma will only be sold in Middle Eastern markets. From a business perspective, this makes sense, given the relatively low market share represented by executive sedan purchases domestically. Compact, electric hatchbacks are a different story.