Genesis continues to build around its luxury automotive empire with a new major international motorsports program.
Announced today in Dubai, the Korean-based brand introduced Genesis Magma Racing, marking its first major milestone in the motorsport arena in the endurance racing genre that includes the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The centerpiece of its ambitious plan is the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, which was revealed alongside the announcement of Genesis Magma Racing, and former Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul will serve as its Team Principal.
The car will be built to the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) rules set—a premier category that combines cutting-edge hybrid technology with standardized components to ensure cost control and competitive parity. LMDh cars compete in WEC and IMSA, making them a global platform for showcasing engineering excellence and innovation, and it joins the likes of Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Porsche.
“This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed—which drives how we create and innovate—in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values: Audacious, Progressive, and Distinctly Korean.”
Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, the motorsport arm of sister brand Hyundai, will support the Genesis motorsport operations in the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026, followed by participation in IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027.
Germany’s Andre Lotterer and Luis ‘Pipo’ Derani of Brazil will lead the driver lineup to develop the GMR-001 Hypercar and race it. But, ahead of its WEC debut in 2026, the race team will collaborate with IDEC Sport to field an LMP2 entry in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS). This will feature a lineup of emerging talent that includes former American F1 racer Logan Sargeant, leading female racer Jamie Chadwick, and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert.
Genesis brand makes fast progress
As one of the newest players in the highly competitive luxury automotive arena, Genesis has impressed with its quick success. Beautiful designs and captivating details have made its lineup popular among luxury car buyers.
The unveiling of the GMR-001 Hypercar, and the announcement of Genesis’ bold motorsport strategy, are part of the brand’s broader vision to redefine high-performance luxury. This vision extends beyond the racetrack and is embodied in the five unique Magma concept models that were displayed at the event, each representing the brand’s relentless pursuit of excellence in design and innovation since the introduction of the GV80 Coupe Concept in April 2023.
The five models on display were: The GV80 Coupe Concept, G80 EV Magma Concept, the GV60 Magma Concept, the X Gran Berlinetta Concept, and the X Gran Racer VGT Concept. These concept models highlight the evolution of Genesis’s high-performance capabilities and showcase the Magma Program’s impact on the brand’s direction for its next phase.
