The Genesis GV60's Gear Selector Is A Futuristic Spinning Orb

Aug. 23, 2021 10:09 AM ET by Michael Butler Technology / 4 Comments

Tell us what the future holds Genesis

Hyundai's luxury arm Genesis has been making big moves in recent months. First we got to see some fresh spy pics of the upcoming Genesis G90, but now our attention has shifted to the upcoming Genesis GV60, the South Korean luxury brand's first-ever all-electric model. Last week, Genesis gave us our first look at the new GV60, showcasing a stylish EV with definite familial resemblance to the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 with which it shares a platform. The initial release didn't have any technical details, but did show a classy interior that looked almost concept-like. Now, an animation from Genesis discovered by the Korea Economic Daily showcases the EV's coolest feature - its gear selector. See, unlike most other manufacturers who tend to stick to a straight-forward system, Genesis has gone for, wait for it, a ball.

Surprisingly, Genesis failed to to show off one of the GV60's coolest interior features when it recently made its debut. The 'Crystal Sphere' shifter is a showstopper in a cabin that already looks spectacular, and the animation shows us just how cool it is. At rest, the Crystal Sphere looks like an intricate orb decor element. But when the car is turned on, the ball flips over to reveal the drive selector. A prominent button on the sphere enables the driver to engage Park, while drive odes are also seletable from the orb. It can also be rotated to select either reverse, neutral, or drive.

This little party trick should be the cherry on top of what promises to be an exhilarating driving experience. Genesis is yet to announce the official powertrain, but the general consensus is that it will be powered by two electric motors on each axle, both generating around 218 horsepower, for a combined total of 436 hp. The E-GMP platform is said to have a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge, and its battery will be able to charge up to 80 percent in only 18 minutes. We expect deliveries to start early in 2022, and we cannot wait to play with that wondrous shifter.