2024 New York Auto Show Highlights: Genesis GV60 Magma & Neolun Concepts
Genesis continues to gain momentum as a premier premium auto brand, challenging old-guard luxury-performance manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. At the 2024 New York International Auto Show Genesis revealed its GV60 Magma Concept, a precursor to the future of Genesis performance under the performance-focused Magma brand. In addition, the Genesis Neolun Concept took a bow, giving showgoers a preview of what will likely become the brand’s new flagship all-electric GV90 SUV.
The brand has come a long way since officially spinning off from Hyundai in 2015, gradually expanding its luxury-performance lineup from the flagship G90 sedan to include the enthusiast-favorite G70, the midsize G80 sedan, the all-electric GV60, and an extensive SUV lineup comprising the GV70, GV70 Electrified, GV80, and the upcoming GV80 Coupe.
Besides building attractive, tech-savvy luxury vehicles, Genesis also excels at delivering stunning, show-stealing concept cars, including the G70 precursor, the Genesis New York concept, the X Speedium coupe, the X Convertible, the 2018 Essentia supercar, and its successor, the X Gran Berlinetta.
GV60 Magma Concept
Genesis continues to attract new buyers, introduce models, and make waves in the luxury market, but there’s one thing that has been missing until now, a performance sub-brand. You can’t have Mercedes without AMG, BMW without BMW M, or Audi without their RS lineup, can you?
Enter the not so subtly-colored GV60 Magma Concept.
We’ve always been fans of the all-electric Genesis GV60. RPM’s Rich Taber had several nice things to say about the model in his recent review of the 2024 GV60 Performance here on RPM News Weekly.
Wait, Genesis already has a GV60 Performance variant, you ask? Can they make it even better? Yes, while the GV60 Performance includes a short list of features to make the GV60 faster and more agile, the GV60 Magma Concept, according to Genesis takes it to a new level.
The current GV60 Performance AWD already makes a good car even better; checking the Performance AWD box not only gets you a net 429 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft of torque, but the 10-second Boost-Mode temporarily bumps power to 483 horsepower. It’s not all about power, the GV60 Performance AWD also adds larger brakes with 4-piston front brake calipers, an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview, and an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip differential.
The GV60 Magma elevates the performance of the GV60 by incorporating improved battery and motor technology along with a lowered, widened stance and enhanced aerodynamics. Inside, the GV60 Magma features bucket seats with body-colored seatbacks and upholstery crafted from Nappa leather and suede.
Genesis hasn’t released any specs for the GV60 Magma, but if it offers more performance than the current model — not that the current model is a slouch — then we can only assume it’s going to be good.
Genesis Neolun Concept
Similar to how the Genesis New York concept that was previewed back in 2016 would become the production G70, the Genesis Neolun Concept serves as a precursor to the brand’s upcoming flagship SUV, the all-electric GV90.
In typical concept car flair, the Genesis Neolun features fantasticly wide coach doors with no B-pillar, opening up the whole side of the vehicle for easy access. While we’ve seen this design before, most recently on the Lincoln Navigator Concept in 2016, it often remains a feature that looks impressive on stage but rarely comes to fruition in production.
However, perhaps that will change, as a line in the Neolun press release seems to suggest that the doors could make it to production. According to Genesis, “Development of the B-pillarless coach doors has reached a level where their application to production vehicles is now feasible.”
Sounds like a definite maybe.
The exterior design of the Neolun Concept showcases what Genesis calls the principle of “reductive design — characterized by clean, refined lines that deliberately eliminate any unnecessary details.”
With no unnecessary lines and rounded edges, the body of the Neolun Concept is refreshingly minimalist, especially when compared to some of the models from Genesis brand mates Hyundai and Kia. Exterior lighting is flush all around and evolves the Genesis current two-line styling theme.
The interior of the Neolun Concept is spacious, featuring luxurious seating for four with Royal Indigo-colored cashmere upholstery and vintage-look purple leather. The floor is adorned with dark-colored real wood, creating a comfortable lounge space to hang out. However, any production model will likely offer a more practical three-row configuration.
Genesis Concepts throughout the years:
