Genesis Bets Big On Endurance Racing With GMR-001 Hypercar And LMP2 Prep
by AutoExpert | 30 December, 2024
Genesis is gearing up to hit the endurance racing scene in 2026 with its GMR-001 LMDh hypercar, but time is already working against it. As it stands, the car exists only as a scale model, leaving the newly-formed Genesis Magma Racing team with a lot to prove—and quickly. To get there, the team will lean heavily on Hyundai’s motorsport experience, including its success in the World Rally Championship.
Hyundai Motorsport president Cyril Abiteboul admitted that Genesis “probably” should’ve gone with a V6 for its hypercar, but the tight timeline pushed the team toward a more unconventional approach. Instead, they’ll merge two four-cylinder engines from Hyundai’s WRC program to create a V8. Similar to previous LMDh prototypes, they anticipate incorporating a hybrid system with a maximum power of 671 horsepower and utilizing rear-wheel drive in accordance with series regulations.
The Genesis GMR-001 will ride on a chassis from Oreca—the same supplier used by Acura and Alpine. However, Genesis is taking a different path from most rivals like Ferrari and Porsche, choosing to handle the entire program in-house rather than partner with an established endurance racing team.
To help the team get race-ready, Genesis will enter the 2025 European Le Mans Series in an LMP2 car in partnership with IDEC Sport. This step is all about preparing the crew for the demands of 2026.
Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai Motor Group’s chief creative officer, admitted there were concerns about whether committing to LMP2 racing in 2025 might spread resources too thin. In the end, they decided to proceed.
“We’re bringing in talented and motivated people from all over the world to build this team,” Donckerwolke said. “They have to grow together, and by racing in LMP2, we’ll be testing and stressing the team in real time to make sure they’re ready for 2026.”
Genesis is diving headfirst into one of the toughest racing series on the planet—and with a lot riding on its shoulders, the clock is ticking.
