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Genesis Magma GT Concept Runs at Italian Hillclimb With Twin-Turbo V8
Genesis has demonstrated its mid-engined Magma GT concept at the Tutto Bene Hillclimb near Lake Maggiore, Italy, confirming a twin-turbocharged 3.2-litre V8 and a production window of 2027 or 2028.
By Charlotte Redford · 3 min read
Genesis has taken its mid-engined Magma GT concept from the show stand to the hill, running the car at the Tutto Bene Hillclimb near Lake Maggiore in Italy. Although the machine remains officially a concept, its appearance on a competitive course confirms that it is a fully functional prototype rather than a static design study.
The Korean premium brand has spent the past several years building its reputation on SUVs and saloons such as the GV70, GV80, G80 and G90. The Magma GT signals a deliberate shift towards performance cars, and it is the first mid-engined model the company has produced.
Genesis has not published full technical details, but the car is understood to use a twin-turbocharged 3.2-litre V8 mounted behind the cabin. The engine is closely related to the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder used in Hyundai's i20 N World Rally Championship car, and a hybridised version of the same powertrain is already racing in the GMR-001 LMDh prototype in the World Endurance Championship. Running the engine in endurance competition gives Genesis a demanding proving ground before any road-going version reaches customers.
Output is expected to reach as much as 800bhp without hybrid assistance. That would place the Magma GT in direct competition with the Chevrolet Corvette, the McLaren Artura and the Ferrari 296 GTB. The car was first unveiled late last year and has since been updated to bring it closer to production specification.
Genesis is also considering a broader Magma GT family. Reports suggest the platform could spawn a roadster, a track-focused special and a GT3 racing variant, extending the model's reach beyond a single flagship coupé.
Appearing alongside the Magma GT at Lake Maggiore was the X Skorpio, a rally-raid design study powered by a V8 and styled for off-road use. Unlike the Magma GT, the X Skorpio is considered far less likely to reach production.
The timing of a showroom launch remains unconfirmed. Recent reports point to a market debut in either 2027 or 2028, leaving Genesis with a window to finalise the car while it continues racing the engine in the World Endurance Championship.
For a brand still best known for comfortable premium transport, the Magma GT represents a significant change of direction. A mid-mounted V8, a competition-derived powertrain and a proposed GT3 programme would put Genesis into the same conversation as established sports car makers. The hillclimb outing shows that the concept is more than a styling exercise, even if the final production car is still some years away.
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