- A bright-orange GV70 has been nabbed testing with what sounds like a V8.
- Genesis has acknowledged it’s developing a 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 for Le Mans.
- This same basic engine is also going to be used by a new mid-engined supercar.
The new high-performance Magma division from Genesis has already spawned a beastly version of the G80 sedan and the all-electric GV60, bringing some fire into the luxury-focused range of Genesis. Now it’s setting its sights on something arguably more interesting. A prototype of the next Magma model has been spotted, and it looks ready to push things further.
At a glance, this GV70 doesn’t stray far from the familiar formula of the SUV that lines up against rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, save for that unapologetically loud orange paint. Look closer, though, and the clues start stacking up.
This test car, recently spotted on film running around South Korea, swaps the standard twin exhaust outlets for a set of quad tips. That alone gets our attention. The more compelling detail sits under the hood, where all signs point to a V8.
Read: 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma Wants To Make BMW And AMG Sweat
As the prototype cruises past the camera, it emits a bellow that sounds like one. This isn’t the type of sound you’d expect to hear from a Genesis, but rather than an AMG or M-branded SUV, and it suggests that the Magma brand won’t hold back in positioning the GV70 as a proper performance weapon.
We already know for a fact that Genesis is working on a V8-powered, mid-engined supercar, and the engine at the center of it is anything but ordinary. The 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 is essentially a fusion of two of Hyundai’s rally-bred 1.6-liter turbo-four engines, stitched together into something far more serious. It’s set to debut in the brand’s Le Mans Hypercar before eventually finding its way into road cars.
Will It Get M Levels Of Power?
As for the GV70 Magma, it’s far too early to pin down exact output figures. However, it’s safe to say it’ll easily out-muscle the SUV’s current flagship 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, which is good for 375 hp and 391 lb-ft (530 Nm) of torque. Matching, or even surpassing, the 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) delivered by the BMW X3 M Competition feels well within reach.
Of course, dropping a bigger engine under the hood won’t be enough if Magma wants to play in the serious performance league. It will need the supporting hardware to match. That means reworked suspension, upgraded brakes, and a chassis setup capable of translating all that extra power into something usable, not just headline-worthy.
