design drive: korean architecture-inspired genesis GV60 sport plus

Pairing an exterior of athletic elegance with traditional Korean ‘hanok’ architecture in the cabin, Genesis debuts an explicitly design-focused model – the GV60 – as its first-ever dedicated electric vehicle. As would be anticipated from Hyundai’s luxury division, the crossover car is rich in material details, spacious innovations, and technological marvels inside and out. Every feature, surface treatment, and interface has been curated to create an emotive e-mobility experience for the driver and passengers. designboom takes the design for a drive – and presses the Sport Plus edition’s naughty boost button.

The signature crest grille at the front of the Genesis GV60 Sport Plus’ is lowered for cooling

All images © designboom unless stated

athletic elegance exterior design

Described as a crossover utility vehicle, the size of the Genesis GV60 resembles an SUV but with a more muscular stance. A dynamic double wedge front creates a recognizable face, as its signature crest grille is lowered for cooling. Its ‘athletic elegance’ design language is apparent through its surface treatment. To start, a single panel forms the clamshell bonnet that extends to the wings. The smooth body continues with short overhangs, minimal lines, flush-fitting door handles, and a sloped roof to aerodynamically hone the sporty silhouette. The rear is as much of a statement as the front, featuring volt rear side windows, quad lamps, and an efficient fixed spoiler.

The interior reveals the beauty of white space by combining simplicity with luxury

Image courtesy of Genesis

hanok interior architecture

The car’s EV architecture enables more space for five occupants to enjoy comfortably. Referencing ‘hanok’ – a traditional Korean style of architecture – the interior combines simplicity with luxury to reveal the beauty of white space. Roominess is enriched with craft details: a floating center console hosts an illuminated crystal sphere controller, door handles and mirror controllers appear as if jewels, and performance enhancers are boldly dressed in bright green, like the boost button on the steering wheel. Identically-sized 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens create a panoramic display to complete the interior design.

Craft details enrich the cabin, such as the floating center console that hosts an illuminated crystal sphere controller

Image courtesy of Genesis

boosted electric performance

The electric-global modular platform not only improves space for the interior; the innovation benefits driving performance, increased electric range, ultra-fast charging, and strengthened safety. For example, the battery pack is mounted low between front and rear axles for a low center of gravity.

800 and 400 V charging means a 240 kW charger can replenish battery range from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. That is 290 miles (466 km) on a single charge when full. One-pedal driving – i-Pedal, as Genesis calls it – extends this further. The Sport Plus’ boost button does not increase range but instead unleashes an additional 40 kW of power for around 10 seconds to ease overtaking and quick acceleration. This bolsters the standard 320 kW and max torque of 700 Nm for an electrifying experience.