Something very orange is coming to the Black Forest, as Korean manufacturer Genesis has launched its new Track Taxi Nordschleife program.
It’s the latest part of the company’s development of a “Magma” performance line that we’ve already seen previewed on a handful of concept cars but which will be rolled out to top the lineup of, it’s planned, every vehicle in the entire Genesis range.
Genesis officially launched the program at an event at the Nurburgring where we got to experience the Track Taxi itself over a lap of the Nordschleife. Developed by the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) at Russelsheim, the car is based on the top-specification Genesis G70: a 3.3-liter, V6 turbo which is not ordinarily available in the European market.
In this application the V6 produces 365hp, and Genesis has enhanced the car — itself originally developed at the Nordschleife — to withstand the rigors of regular, high-speed track use with the weight of three passengers and a driver.
That includes a KW V3 coilover kit with passive dampers (V4 on the front axle, V3 on the rear) and a mild drop in ride height of around an inch. Lightweight OZ Estrema GT wheels are wrapped in special Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, developed by program partner Michelin, which are 10mm wider than standard.
Additional modifications include changes to the location of the front brake cooling ducts and upgraded transmission oil cooling heat shields, as well as a software update to the gearbox. The car is also finished in the Magma Orange color that’s exclusive to the Magma performance range.
To mark the occasion, Genesis also brought the four models in the current Magma lineup to the Nurburgring. It’s the first time the cars have appeared together in Europe, with the Magma being a limited “skunkworks” project at Genesis until now.
The cars presented include the GV80 Magma Coupe Concept SUV, the GV60 Magma Concept SUV, the G80 Magma Special and the “X Gran Berlinetta Concept” which Gran Turismo players will know better as the car Genesis created for its entry in the Vision Gran Turismo project.
While that last car isn’t destined for production — yet — the others are all set to appear in the company’s product line-up soon. The G80 Magma Special is planned as a limited edition for the Middle East market only initially, though chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke told us he was in line for the first vehicle himself, while the GV60 Magma Concept looks to be ready for wider markets.
It features numerous additional body components aimed at enhancing vehicle performance, from canards to generate front-axle downforce and roof-mounted fins to channel air to the new rear wing, to reworked cooling that includes a redesigned front end and wheel well outlets.
Genesis hasn’t gone into specifics on powertrain enhancements compared to the current 429hp range-topping GV60 — Tyrone Johnson, head of HMETC, stated that Magma isn’t just about power — but given the 577hp and 601hp outputs of the sibling Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, we’d expect something in that area.
Also present at the event was Genesis brand partner Jacky Ickx. The six-time Le Mans-winner was introduced to Genesis through Donckerwolke, and has been acting both as an ambassador for the brand and providing feedback and insights as Genesis develops more “athletic” vehicles.
There’s far more to come from the Genesis Magma range too, with Donckerwolke teasing that we can expect more announcements this year. After all, there are plenty more models without a Magma variant yet…
In the meantime, if you want to book the Genesis Track Taxi Nordschleife experience, it’s available from today through a special, dedicated sub-site at Genesis.com. A solo booking is €120, but you can book for up to three passengers with discounts for each seat adding up to €180 for a party; Genesis will donate the income to an as-yet unnamed charity. Sick bags are included in each of the door pockets, and sitting in the back is quite the adventure…
See more articles on Genesis and Nurburgring.
