MOTORS: Would 007 take to the Genesis GV60 Sport Plus Dual Motor AWD Auto?
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Personal number plates are big business, raking in millions of pounds for the government each year.
They are everywhere, some containing the initials or name of the owner, some a touch rude and some very clever where you have to work out the hidden meaning.
The UK marketing people at the South Korean manufacturer Genesis, the upmarket arm of Hyundai, are pretty smart. Apart from their high-profile sponsorship of the Scottish Open golf championship in East Lothian, they do some other clever things to promote their impressive range.
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Their press test fleet cars for example are fitted with number plates matching the model, whether it be the GV60 or the larger GV70 along with three letters which include SUV, FUN, BYE and to highlight the electric power under the surface, the unit of electric resistance, OHM.
In the case of the featured GV60 test car it also made a point of its electric heart with the letters BEV – for Battery Electric Vehicle.
It’s a nice touch and sums up what makes the Genesis cars different from the rest in the exclusive luxury market.
It’s one of the newest brands, here for only a couple of years, but it has stirred up the competition, largely dominated by the Germans by offering superb quality, luxury and comprehensive equipment at a price which attracts sensible customers who aren’t influenced by badge status.
The first cars here were only petrol or diesel-engined but the EV range is growing all the time and by the end of the decade, the whole 11-car line-up of saloons, estates and SUVs will be electric-only.
Whatever the model, Genesis have kept things simple with three trim levels of Premium, Sport or Sport Plus.
Behind the brand are renowned designers and engineers with proven track records in the industry and it shows from the sleek, flowing styling of the body, with lightning flashes on the rear quarters to the clean, businesslike but easy-on-the-eye interior, even if the lime green piping on the quilted Nappa leather performance seats – part of the £2310 seat pack option – stands out a bit more than it probably should. For lime green fans, each of the four brake calipers behind the massive 21-inch alloys shouted out in the same colour, another option at £280.
Build quality is superb from the chunky, soft leather steering wheel to the crystal sphere in the central console, which rotates to reveal the shift-by-wire drive controller when you start up.
The dual 12.3-inch LCD displays are clear, concise and easy to navigate and I was delighted to see a row of buttons for a fast track to major functions.
On the road, like most EVs, the car is deliciously quiet and eager to respond to the right foot with
instant power to all four wheels, which helps with stability, roadholding and balance on demanding surfaces.
For extra oomph, the test car came with a Boost button which certainly lived up to its name. Hit that, the dials change colour and car takes off like a bullet, but the battery reserves also feel the effect and reduce the range.
Having said that the regenerative brake system, controlled through the paddles behind the steering wheel, is excellent with four intensity settings so you rarely have to use the brake pedal, even to come to a complete stop, such as at traffic lights.
The buying process is done online with the help of a personal assistant.
There are three UK studios – what they describe as unpressurised environments, like contemporary galleries rather than car dealerships – the latest in Edinburgh.
I like the way Genesis have gone about things with humour and cheekiness which extends to their winged logo on the bonnet and centre of the steering wheel. It looks familiar with hints of Aston Martin. 007 would be happy to have this as his company car.
In a nutshell
Genesis GV60 Sport Plus Dual Motor AWD Auto
PRICE: £67,505 (£75,535 as tested)
ENGINE: Two 180KW electric motors
POWER: 245 PS
TORQUE: 700 Nm
TOP SPEED: 148mph
0-62mph: 4 secs
RANGE: 289 Miles
