Genesis GV60 Magma Sound Tops Corvette Stingray
Car and Driver's sound tests found the electric GV60 Magma's simulated engine noise peaked above the 2027 Corvette Stingray with its optional exhaust.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
In tests published November 8, 2026, Car and Driver measured the Genesis GV60 Magma at 102 decibels in Virtual Shift Mode, louder than the 97 dBA peak of the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with quad center-exit exhaust. The GV60 Magma is an electric crossover whose engine-like sound comes from speakers rather than an internal combustion engine.
Why it matters
The results show that a battery-electric performance vehicle can match or exceed the aural drama of a traditional V-8 sports car through software and speakers alone. For buyers weighing electric performance models against gasoline icons, the comparison highlights how sound is now engineered rather than inherent to the powertrain.
The GV60 Magma produces up to 641 horsepower, and its Virtual Shift Mode peaked at 102 decibels, far above the 71 dBA of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The Corvette's 535-hp 6.7-liter V-8 with the $5,395 quad center-exit exhaust reached 97 dBA in Track mode.
The players
Genesis GV60 Magma
The Genesis GV60 Magma is a high-performance electric crossover from Hyundai Motor Group's luxury brand, offering up to 641 horsepower.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is General Motors' mid-engine sports car, long known for its V-8 power and performance heritage.
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive magazine known for instrumented testing and performance comparisons of new vehicles.
The details
Testing was conducted at full throttle with the GV60 Magma set to Virtual Shift Mode, which simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 9000-rpm V-6. The Magma's sound comes from a few lines of code and speakers, and the mechanically identical Ioniq 5 N does not offer the same performance in faux-shifting mode.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Car and Driver publishes the GV60 Magma sound test results.
Roadmap
The Magma's simulated engine sound builds on Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N, which introduced faux-shifting to an electric platform. It shows automakers using software and speakers to recreate the sensory character that combustion engines once supplied on their own.
Buyers who want an engine-style soundtrack from an EV can now compare the GV60 Magma's speaker-generated noise against a traditional V-8 before choosing. The Corvette's quad center-exit exhaust is a $5,395 option, a cost to weigh against the sound it adds.
The takeaway
Sound is becoming a software setting rather than a byproduct of the engine. Shoppers comparing performance cars should listen for the experience they want, whether it comes from pistons or speakers.
Further reading
For more on electric and gas performance models, explore Performance Vehicles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Car and Driver.
