- Genesis confirmed new EVs with 600 hp base power and potential for 1,000 hp.
- The new flagship EV could be a hypercar, sedan, or high-performance SUV.
- Traditional hybrid models are planned with 500 hp and improved fuel efficiency.
Hyundai has a busy slate ahead, with fresh N performance models on the horizon and a body-on-frame midsize pickup in the pipeline that will also spawn a rugged SUV aimed at the Toyota 4Runner. But it’s Genesis, the luxury side of the Hyundai Motor Group, that delivers the real jolt of excitement: an all-electric flagship is officially on the way.
Read: Genesis Reveals Why Magma Will Deliver A Different Experience Than Hyundai N
During Hyundai’s recent investor day, chief executive Jose Munoz displayed a slide for the Genesis brand that revealed it is working on new EV, EREV, and HEV powertrains. The big takeaway was that the electric models will emphasize performance, starting at “600hp+” and with the possibility of reaching an extraordinary “1,000hp+.”
A Luxury Brand With Bite
Genesis occupies the same role for Hyundai as Lexus does for Toyota, but the similarities may stop there. The brand is carving out a sharper, sportier identity thanks to its new Magma high-performance division. Alongside the road cars, Genesis will even step into endurance racing with the GMR-001 Le Mans Daytona supercar.
The first Magma model on the road will be a hot version of the Genesis GV60. It’s tipped to borrow parts from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT, bringing more than 600 hp to the table. That alone makes it blisteringly quick, but it’s the possibility of breaching the 1,000 hp mark that raises the stakes.
What Could 1,000 hp Look Like?
Hyundai provided no indication as to what form a four-figure horsepower Genesis model could take. It could perhaps be a road-going hypercar inspired by the Le Mans racer, or perhaps an electric version of the X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo concept from a couple of years ago.
However, given that vehicles like this would likely only sell in very small numbers, we suspect it’s more likely the vehicle will be either a high-performance sedan or a high-performance SUV that could rival the Porsche Taycan, Macan Electric, or the upcoming Cayenne Electric, which has already been confirmed to pack upwards of 1,000 hp.
Performance wasn’t the only focus of the announcement. Genesis also revealed its extended-range models will deliver more than 1,000 km (621 miles) on a charge, while conventional hybrids will top out at “500hp+.” These hybrids aim to blend efficiency with performance, offering fuel-sipping driving without sacrificing the punch expected from the brand’s expanding lineup.