Genesis Magma Racing reveals the GMR-001 Hypercar for the 2026 WEC season

A Hypercar that looks unmistakably Genesis

Unlike many endurance prototypes that look purely functional, the Genesis GMR‑001 Hypercar was deliberately designed to maintain a clear visual link with Genesis road cars. The car was developed in collaboration with legendary endurance chassis specialist ORECA, but the design philosophy came directly from Genesis’ own design studios.

The result is a race car that carries the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” design language to the absolute limits of motorsport aerodynamics. Most striking are the Two-Line headlights, a signature element of modern Genesis models such as the Genesis GV80 and Genesis G80.

Integrating such a distinctive design feature into a top-tier endurance prototype was not without risk. In WEC competition, lighting performance during night racing is critical. Fortunately for Genesis, early endurance testing (including overnight runs at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve) quickly validated both the design and the performance of the lighting system.

The GMR-001 proudly carries the Genesis wing emblem on the nose, reinforcing the idea that this is not merely a racing project, but a full manufacturer statement.

Engineering built on proven motorsport DNA

Underneath its sculpted carbon bodywork lies a powertrain that combines multiple layers of Hyundai Motor Group motorsport expertise. At the heart of the GMR-001 sits the Genesis G8MR 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8, derived from the inline-four rally engine used by Hyundai Motorsport in the World Rally Championship.

While heavily reworked for endurance racing, the architecture builds on a proven competition platform, an approach often used by manufacturers entering the highly competitive Hypercar class.

The car itself follows the LMDh technical regulations, the same category that currently hosts machines from manufacturers such as Porsche, Cadillac, BMW, and Lamborghini. For Genesis, entering this category immediately places the brand on the biggest stage in endurance racing.

A development program running against the clock

The schedule behind the GMR-001 program has been intense. The first engine was fired up in February 2025, followed by the first complete chassis integration in August 2025. Track testing began almost immediately afterward at Circuit Paul Ricard, conveniently located near the Genesis Magma Racing base in Le Castellet.

Since then, the prototype has accumulated almost 25,000 kilometers of testing across multiple circuits representative of the WEC calendar. One engine alone has completed nearly 9,000 kilometers, a key milestone for reliability in endurance racing. Genesis Magma Racing’s engineers have also simulated full race scenarios, including wet-weather testing at Circuit de Nevers Magny‑Cours.

The early targets for the team are deliberately realistic: finishing races consistently, avoiding penalties, and gradually moving toward Hyperpole appearances and top-five finishes.

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Recent years have seen the company expand rapidly with models like the GV80 and G80, while the Magma performance strategy signals an ambition similar to what AMG did for Mercedes-Benz or M for BMW.

But entering the WEC Hypercar category is something else entirely. This is the same championship that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world.

If Genesis manages to combine reliability with performance, the GMR-001 could become one of the most fascinating new entries in endurance racing. And that is exactly what Genesis appears to be aiming for.