ALL-ELECTRIC GENESIS GV60 IS A REVOLUTIONARY RIDE!
By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com
And so it begins, as they say. Genesis has launched the first dart from its arsenal, possibly causing disarray among established electric vehicles companies (Tesla, pay attention!) Within no time of hitting the roads, the stunning all-electric 2023 GV60 has won numerous accolades from the automotive press.
Sharing a platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the compact SUV is equipped with a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that assures the driver of going almost 240 miles on a full charge. Dual 160 kW front/rear electric motors crank out 429 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque. Believe it or not, that takes the GV60 just four seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph in boost mode. Not bad for a vehicle that weighs nearly 4,890 pounds! On a 240-volt, it will take about seven hours but a fast DC charge (350 kW) can load up 80 percent in just 18 minutes. The good news is that Genesis is offering a three-year courtesy charge at any Electrify America station. The single-speed direct transmission is instant and seamless.
Up front, a clamshell hood meets up with jewel-like, parametric-pixel two-line LED headlights to convey a distinctive presence. As you near the vehicle, flush automatic door handles are a sight to behold! Our Performance test version came with two high-tech 12.3 screens for infotainment and a digital instrument cluster of speedometer, power gauge, charge level and trip odometer. The floating center console features an illuminated Crystal Sphere shifter that rotates 180 degrees when the car is turned on. Switch off the GV60 and the orb floats emanating ambient lights. Other high-tech perks include: electronic active sound design (e-ASD), so you can choose E-motor (reimagines motor sounds), G-engine (sounds like a gas engine) and futuristic (signifies imminent mobility); facial and finger detection to enter without a key. And with Vehicle-to-Load feature, you can charge electric bikes, scooters and other gadgets via the outside port or another interface. A vision roof with power shade, heated/cooled front Nappa leather seats, dual auto a/c, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, head-up display, heated rear seats and hands-free liftgate come at no extra cost.
Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, electronic stability and traction controls, brake assist, blind spot, forward-collision, park-collision and rear-cross traffic collision avoid assists, front avoid, lane keep and follow assists, front crumple zones, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.
Its innovative looks, inside and out, plus cutting-edge technology make the GV60 an enticing choice. And with scarcely a carbon footprint to leave behind. Move over, Tesla, for this sensational electric Genesis entrant into the market, with more promising EVs on the way.
GENESIS GV60 (PERFORMANCE)
Tires: 255/40R21
Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
Length: 177.8 inches
Width: 74.4 inches
Height: 62.4 inches
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
Steering: motor-driven power
MPGe: 97 city, 82 highway, 90 combined
Base price: $67,890
Price as tested: $69,560
Web site: www.hyundaiusa.com