Interviewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Global Head of Genesis Min Kyu (Mike) Song has told Just Auto that the brand will adapt its EVs-only strategy.
“Nine years ago we set out to be a disrupter, then we launched several electric models. So this is why we didn’t have hybrids or plug-in hybrids,” Song replied when quizzed by Just Auto about possible future HEVs or PHEVs. “But now with the changes in many markets we must re-assess what we are doing. So yes, hybrids are coming.”
Pressed on timing and which models, the luxury brand’s head replied with “I cannot yet say” but appeared to hint that more than one HEV could be launched.
Sources in Korea continue to speculate that Hyundai Motor Group is fast-tracking a petrol-electric powertrain for Genesis. This could become available in both the GV70 and GV80 SUVs as soon as 2025. However, it may instead come after the launch of Project JG1, the GV90. The full-sized electric SUV is due to be in production at the new Ulsan 6 plant commencing this December. Again though, this is not official.
Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury division is using the annual Festival of Speed to further publicise newly created Magma. Yet the division still has no presence in motorsport. Might an entry in LMH, the Le Mans Hypercar category, be announced in 2025? Song denied this with a simple "No.”
“Genesis is not yet ten years old and there are many steps for us still to take. High performance is one of those steps,” Song added. "So, Magma is that next step. It will be in the heart of our line-up [of models]. And it is Genesis Magma, not a sub-brand.”
HMG has recently retained Jacky Ickx as a brand ambassador for Genesis Magma. The motor sport legend, who was interviewed alongside Mike Song and Tyrone Johnson, director of Vehicle Development for Genesis Motor Europe, clearly has a personal rapport with each.
Rather than speaking of his extraordinary successes at the highest level of racing, Ickx, 79, emphasised instead that he has become involved after “seeing a fantastic opportunity to be part of the present and future of Genesis Magma.” The six times Le Mans winner did nonetheless almost jokingly recall his first time driving at the Goodwood circuit. That included crashing there in 1965, a year before he entered Formula 1.
Genesis is using the backdrop of the Festival of Speed (11-14 July) to formally display multiple Magma models, those being the GV60 Magma Concept (pictured), G80 EV Magma Concept, GV80 Coupe Concept and G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife. Unlike the blue G80 EV Magma Concept revealed at the Beijing motor show in April, each of the Goodwood four is painted in the striking hue officially known as ‘Magma Orange’.
The brand has also confirmed the third quarter of 2025 for the series production launch of the first model for Genesis Magma. The crossover becomes available first in South Korea, followed soon after by Europe.
