GV60 Platform Engineering Insights: A Munro Teardown Review

The Genesis GV60, built on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, represents a refined step forward in the evolution of modular EV architecture. Munro & Associates recently performed a detailed teardown comparison between the GV60 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5—both based on the same electrified global modular platform (E-GMP). This post explores key GV60 platform engineering insights uncovered during the teardown, with a sharp focus on suspension upgrades, cost-conscious design decisions, and their impact on handling dynamics.

For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and investors following the rise of Hyundai-Kia-Genesis in the premium EV market, these insights reveal how smart design trade-offs help elevate customer experience while maintaining profitability—a core focus of Munro’s lean design and manufacturing philosophy.

The E-GMP Platform: A Versatile EV Foundation

First, some context: Hyundai’s E-GMP platform underpins several vehicles across brands, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60. Designed for scalability, the architecture accommodates multiple body styles while delivering strong performance and efficiency.

But as Munro’s team points out, “same platform” doesn’t mean identical engineering across models. Premium trims—like the GV60—introduce deliberate design enhancements targeting driving dynamics and customer perception, without radically altering the platform’s cost structure.

Suspension Architecture: Virtual Ball vs. Single Arm

A standout finding from the teardown lies in the GV60’s front suspension design. While both vehicles share a stamped steel, hard-mounted front cradle (subframe), the GV60 employs a more sophisticated virtual ball lower control arm system—a notable divergence from the Ioniq 5’s simpler single-arm setup.

Here’s why this matters:

• The virtual ball geometry alters the suspension’s kinematics, specifically how load transfers through the tire’s contact patch.

• This design improves wheel scrub, handling, and overall driving dynamics—key selling points for a luxury EV.

• By contrast, the Ioniq 5 uses a cost-optimized single lower control arm and ball joint, sufficient for its mainstream market positioning.

While both cars use McPherson strut front suspension (no upper control arms), the GV60’s two aluminum lower control arms and virtual ball arrangement deliver tangible performance benefits—especially appreciated by discerning drivers.

Hard-Mounted Front Subframe: Structural Contributor

Both GV60 and Ioniq 5 feature a hard-mounted front subframe with six-point attachment to the body-in-white—no elastomeric isolation. This means the subframe acts as a structural contributor, enhancing body stiffness and crashworthiness.

For engineers, this reinforces a lean manufacturing principle: using component integration to improve structure and reduce mass. Hard mounting reduces the need for extra stiffeners elsewhere, optimizing both material use and weight.

Material Choices: Steel vs. Aluminum vs. Cost

Cost reduction is core to Munro’s analysis. The GV60’s more advanced suspension introduces several cost implications:

• Aluminum control arms are pricier than steel but reduce unsprung mass—important for ride quality and handling.

• The dual ball joints and associated knuckle modifications increase part count and machining complexity.

• Knuckles feature larger machined surfaces and reinforced areas to accommodate the extra ball joint—adding both weight and cost.

Each additional joint requires more assembly labor at both supplier and OEM levels—another factor in total accounted cost.

Yet the trade-off is deliberate: GV60 customers expect sharper handling and premium road feel. Here, engineering insight aligns with market expectation.

Rear Suspension: Multi-Link Simplicity

Out back, the GV60 sticks to conventional engineering:

• Multi-link rear suspension with stamped and welded links.

• Separate springs and shocks—no exotic integrations.

• Isolated rear cradle, typical for BEVs in this segment.

This blend of simplicity and effectiveness matches most consumer expectations, balancing cost, performance, and manufacturability.

Platform Commonality—and Clear Differences

Munro’s teardown confirms broad commonality between GV60 and Ioniq 5 beyond the front suspension. Battery structures, side sill extrusions (for side impact), and overall underbody layouts are nearly identical.

A blindfold test under the vehicles would leave even experts hard-pressed to distinguish them—except for these targeted, value-driven differences:

Component	GV60	Ioniq 5
Front Subframe	Hard-mounted	Hard-mounted
Front Suspension	McPherson strut with virtual ball	McPherson strut with single arm
Lower Control Arms	Aluminum (2)	Steel (1)
Knuckle	Modified for dual ball joints	Simpler design
Rear Suspension	Multi-link	Multi-link
Rear Cradle	Isolated	Isolated

Integrated Bearing Half-Shaft: Lean Design in Action

One clever feature seen on both GV60 and Ioniq 5 is the integrated bearing half-shaft—in this case, on the rear axle.

The design merges the half-shaft and wheel bearing into a single assembly with a locating ring. Benefits include:

• Reduced part count.

• Simpler assembly—fewer separate components for operators to handle.

• Tighter quality control at the supplier level.

Munro also notes this feature appears on the front of some other E-GMP variants (Ioniq 6), underscoring how modular elements are flexed across platforms.

Why It Matters: Practical Takeaways

For engineers, program managers, and investors, these insights highlight several actionable themes:

1. Smart differentiation: Hyundai-Kia-Genesis uses platform commonality where it matters—battery, structure, core dimensions—while deploying focused technical upgrades (suspension geometry, material selection) where customers will feel the difference.

2. Lean manufacturing: Integrating wheel bearings, hard-mounting subframes, and using extrusions shows clear alignment with lean principles—cutting cost and complexity without degrading performance.

3. Balanced investment: Premium features like the virtual ball suspension justify their cost in premium models like GV60, where customers pay for—and expect—enhanced driving feel.

4. Scalability: The E-GMP platform enables this type of flexibility, proving modularity is more than marketing—it’s an engineering enabler for multiple price points and brand identities.

Conclusion

The GV60 platform engineering insights from Munro’s teardown reveal how Hyundai Motor Group continues to mature its E-GMP architecture—balancing lean manufacturing with value-driven differentiation.

As global demand for electric vehicles accelerates, such intelligent cost/performance trade-offs will be key to winning market share—especially in competitive premium segments.

Get More From Munro

Explore more expert EV teardowns, detailed analyses, and lean engineering insights by visiting Munro & Associates or subscribing to Munro Live.

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