On the road in new Genesis GV60

Sport Plus

Price: £65,405

Batt./motor: 77.4kWh/2x e-motor Power/torque: 429bhp/605Nm Transmission: Single-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 4.0 seconds

Top speed: 155mph Range: 289 miles Charging: 350kW (10-80% 18 mins) ONSALE Now

DRIVEN On the road in new

Sean Carson

sean _ carson@autovia.co.uk

GENESIS launched in Europe last year with a flurry of ‘new’ products – mostly cars it had been selling elsewhere, but that were new to the UK. The brand isn’t new to electric cars either, but this GV60 EV is where the upmarket Korean brand really gathers pace – and we’ve tried a preproduction car on UK roads in £65,405 Sport Plus trim to judge Genesis’ chances of challenging premium EVs such as the Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The GV60 is based on the E-GMP platform also used by the impressive Kia EV6 and our reigning Car of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. So, it packs a 77.4kWh battery within its 2.9metre wheelbase for a claimed range of 289 miles, and with 350kW charging capability, a 10-80 per cent top-up takes just 18 minutes.

Sport Plus trim signifies that the battery feeds a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for four-wheel drive. Collectively they deliver 429bhp and 605Nm of torque, but

● Fresh EV sampled in the UK ● Rivals Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4

if you hit the steering wheel-mounted Boost button, each motor receives a 27bhp uplift for 10 seconds giving a total of 483bhp and 700Nm of torque. Despite the GV60’s considerable kerbweight, this is enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.0 seconds.

The hit of thrust is instant and solid when you ask for the GV60’s full performance, but even in a straight line, you’re also aware of its weight as the car squats down at the rear and bounds forward. Genesis will no doubt iron out one or two points we found on this pre-production car, but it’s universally good news at this late stage of development.

Although the car’s weight is still apparent in the way it handles, and the GV60’s body does roll as a result, it gives a sensation of how much grip is available. The front end has bite turning into roundabouts, while the electronic limited-slip differential at the rear helps to tighten the car’s line once you apply the throttle; gently is best until you

FIRST DRIVE

HANDLING

Despite its significant mass, the GV60 handles well and feels agile enough for a big machine. Acceleration is impressive, too

PERFORMANCE

Pressing Boost button gives car an extra 54bhp for a 10-second burst

w Genesis EV

get the wheels straight, but once they are, the ferocity of the acceleration is brilliant.

The ride is fine, if a little inconsistent on our car’s 21-inch wheels. It’s mostly smooth, but thumps do make their way through to the cabin; occasionally there are worse reactions than you might expect to minor imperfections, but other times it reacts more smoothly to bumps you think would really upset the car.

The GV60 is already a refined car when it comes to ride comfort, but if the engineers can fine-tune the Road Preview system –which uses sat-nav data and a camera to scan the road ahead, setting the suspension up to deal with bumps in advance – then it’ll improve its dynamic performance further still.

A little inconsistency in the throttle’s response from a dead stop in Normal and Eco modes was the only other noticeable gripe. The car’s steering, meanwhile, felt fast and more positive than in its Ioniq sibling.

Inside, clever packaging means there’s plenty of leg and headroom in the rear, but at more than five metres long, you’d expect this from the GV60. The powered tailgate opens to reveal a 432-litre load area, which is competitive enough. There’s also lots of space in the front, while the infotainment is simple, with a slick, quick-to-respond set-up.

The quality is sound, too, with lots of tactile surfaces that seem befitting of the hefty price tag, even if the brand’s image might not yet be quite a match for it in some eyes.

But that’s not for us to decide, and with this GV60, Genesis looks set to change perceptions. The individual design turns heads, while the interior, technology and driving experience back this up with a depth that all stems from the platform the car is based on. Genesis’ charge starts here.

Verdict

THE GV60 is the most convincing Genesis yet, even if it’ll be pricey. This pre-production car nails many areas an upmarket EV needs to, with great performance, charging and range, while the refinement, quality and tech seem sound. It should be a strong contender. DETAIL

Ride is mostly refined, even on 21-inch wheels; boot space is average, but powered tailgate is included, rear-seat room and packaging are good