The last Genesis GV60 we drove was in the fastest Sports Plus spec that we have here, but that was a 2022 car and this is a new 2023 one - although it looks exactly the same apart from the fact this car is finished in Alta White, and it is left-hand drive with German plates!

The big changes are underneath and mostly focus on the technology. According to Genesis, the GV60 now has the world's first application of biometric technology, giving access and vehicle start on this car. The Face Connect system works via a camera in the B pillar, to scan the driver's face and unlock the car once recognised. There's also a fingerprint authentication sensor on the centre console, that once it has recognised the driver's fingerprint, remembers driver settings such as the seating, position of the steering wheel and head-up display and even starts this car. Genesis told us that the GV60 is the first production car to offer a totally keyless experience. 

Although, the Digital Key 2.0 technology, that's also included, means owners can use their smartphones as the key instead, including proximity unlock and smart tailgate function and vehicle start - without even getting the phone out from your pocket. This key can also be shared via the owner's Wallet app, with up to four people. 

We only got to try the biometric technology, but it seemed simple to set and worked well enough. 

Elsewhere, the GV60 gets welcome extra standard kit. As we've said before, the GV60's basic dash architecture is borrowed from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, along with the switchgear and infotainment. However, the Genesis has more premium-feeling metal trims, plus the look and smell of the soft leather upholstery. Overall, the Genesis continues to feel more luxurious than Hyundai and Kia sister cars. 

On the road, the driving experience remains largely unchanged. We've got the range-topping Sport Plus in AWD form, which is priced from £67,505. This sounds a lot, but this is the highest-performance version with an incredible 483hp, acceleration to 62mph in four seconds and a top speed of 146mph. 

All GV60 models have the same 77.4kWh battery and 800-volt charging ability, making it possible to fast-charge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. Sport Plus is an AWD version, however, meaning the range drops to a still decent 289 miles - considering the performance.

Being an EV model, the GV60 starts quietly, the refinement impressing first. The ride is another highlight, with the Genesis feeling more sophisticated and Germanic than its sister cars. 

Cleverer is the new virtual gearbox mode added to the GV60's drive. Even though this car is fitted with a single-speed gearbox, this mode steps the power just like it would if it has more gears. There's also a sound synthesizer that adds an engine note that changes as you go up and down the fake gears. It is fun for a while experiencing an EV trying to mimic an ICE auto, but the novelty wears off at high speed where the fake engine note becomes boomy and somehow less real.   

Drift Mode and a Boost Button are fitted to the Sport Plus version. We tried the Drift Mode on the track, and it's difficult to master and largely irrelevant. The Boost Button again adds to the performance craziness giving a noticeable extra 20kW power boost from each motor for 10 seconds. Normal mode is the best for everyday driving.