Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury arm, has officially entered the world of endurance racing with the unveiling of the GMR-001 Hypercar. This marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has been in existence for just a decade. The GMR-001 is set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in 2026 and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2027 IMSA.
A Brief History of Genesis in Motorsport
Genesis’s foray into motorsport is relatively recent. In December 2024, the brand announced the creation of Genesis Magma Racing, its official racing team Wikipedia. Prior to this, Genesis had limited involvement in motorsport, with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe participating in events like Formula Drift and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Wikipedia.
The GMR-001: A New Era
The GMR-001 is a Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototype developed in collaboration with ORECA Motorsport. It features a twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, with design elements reflecting Genesis’s “Athletic Elegance” philosophy newsroom.genesis.com. The car’s livery and race suits pay tribute to Korean heritage, incorporating Hangul characters and the brand’s signature Two-Line lighting IMSA.
Strategic Partnerships and Driver Lineup
Genesis has partnered with IDEC Sport to gain experience in endurance racing. The team has already achieved success, winning the LMP2 class at the 4 Hours of Barcelona with drivers Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert, and Daniel Juncadella IMSA. For the GMR-001’s development, Genesis has enlisted experienced drivers André Lotterer, a three-time Le Mans winner, and Pipo Derani, a four-time Sebring winner Road & Track.
Looking Ahead
Genesis’s entry into endurance racing signifies a bold step in redefining its brand identity. By embracing motorsport, the company aims to showcase its commitment to performance and innovation on a global stage. The GMR-001’s debut at the 2025 New York International Auto Show offers a glimpse into this exciting new chapter for Genesis .newsroom.genesis.com
What are your thoughts on Genesis’s move into endurance racing?
#genesismagmaracing #genesis #hypercar #imsa
My name is Alex, or Alex Martini (Alex.Martini__) and I love building unreliable cars. From track, road, drag and drift, there really isn't a motorsport I love. PS if you're reading this, just know that we've got some WILD builds coming for MartiniWorks that we're really excited to share with you :)
