Genesis GV60 Facelift Prototype: What’s Changed and What to Expect

Will the Worst-sale model, GV60, bounce back with partial changes?
A Closer Look at the New Prototype

GV60 is the youngest and first dedicated electric vehicle model of the Genesis brand. Despite being an entry-level model, it has been showing poor sales performance due to its high price. Cumulative sales this year are only 17 units as of February.

On March 13, the 2024 model year change version was launched in South Korea, and the price was slightly lowered, but the main response was that it was not a significant change. If the facelift model is launched, can Genesis expect a rebound? There is still time until the official launch of the facelift model, but a prototype has been captured and is attracting attention.

A fatal mistake by Hyundai led to a leak in February

On March 19, a driving video of the Genesis GV60 facelift version was posted on Shorts Car’s YouTube channel. The new model, spotted near Hyundai’s Namyang Research Center in South Korea, was hidden behind thick camouflage and camo film, but we already know the changes to the new model. This is because Hyundai previously accidentally leaked the appearance of the new GV60, which is far from being launched.

In a video posted on the Genesis brand’s official YouTube channel on February 8, a prototype with a license plate marked ‘JW F/L’ briefly appeared. JW is the development name of the GV60, and F/L is the abbreviation for a facelift. Hyundai deleted the video after just a few hours, but the image of the GV60 facelift has already been widely disseminated.

MLA Headlights Applied
Completed the Two-Line Design

It was difficult to see the new appearance of the GV60 in the video entirely. This is because the main scene was momentarily passing, so detailed elements such as turned-on headlamps and wheels were not properly captured. However, through Shorts Car’s latest video, we confirmed the MLA headlamp and new wheel design installed on the new GV60.

Recently, Genesis has been expanding the scope of MLA headlamp application with new models such as the GV80 and G80 facelift. First installed in the G90, this specification has completed Genesis’ design identity, the two-line lamp. It has attracted attention as the slimmest headlamp among mass-produced vehicles and requires considerable technical skills to arrange ultra-small LEDs in a row to illuminate the front. The specifications are applied to the new GV60 captured this time and the GV70 facelift.

Likely to be Launched in the First Quarter of Next Year
Will the Price Be Reduced Again?

Meanwhile, a new 5-spoke wheel also attracts attention. The goal was to minimize the front processing range to make the spokes appear thinner. The aerodynamic performance of the aero wheels was also taken into consideration. The powertrain of the new GV60 is the same as the existing model, but energy efficiency is expected to improve, and the launch date is likely to be in the first quarter of 2025.

Another critical factor is what will happen to the price, which was the cause of the GV60’s poor sales. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 facelift attracted attention by lowering the price despite improving overall quality. For the GV60, there will be no other choice for a sales rebound. However, it remains to be seen whether consecutive price reductions are possible, as the price was lowered for the model year change version, which is a premium brand.