Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar Launch Sets the Stage for 2026 Le Mans Quest
Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) has revealed its full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar and team identity, complete with livery and race suits, in a move that underscores the brand’s worldwide motorsport aspirations. Showcased just before the New York International Auto Show, this unveiling lays the groundwork for GMR’s planned 2026 debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), culminating in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Inspired by the “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy synonymous with Genesis, the GMR-001 Hypercar’s striking livery highlights the fusion of Korean heritage and cutting-edge motorsport technology. This commitment to style and performance aims to set a new creative benchmark on the global racing stage.
The GMR-001 Hypercar embodies the raw racing potential of the forthcoming Magma performance line. Meticulously shaped to balance aerodynamic precision and sculptural fluidity, it expresses both elegance and aggression. Signature ‘Two-Lines’ lighting envelops the front and rear, accentuating the car’s width and aerodynamic intent. These hallmarks confirm its Genesis DNA, ensuring impressive lighting performance and visibility, which are crucial in endurance racing.
Developed at Genesis Design Europe under Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, the GMR-001 Hypercar’s bodywork features a distinctive Parabolic Line along its profile and a flat underbody plate to boost aerodynamic efficiency. Inlets expertly remove hot air to support thermal management, reflecting a sophisticated approach to racing design. Although final specifications are still under wraps, the hybrid powertrain and chassis, engineered in collaboration with ORECA Motorsport, promise formidable competitiveness.
“The GMR-001 Hypercar, like every race car, is a sculpture defined by efficiency and performance, blended with Genesis’ signature Two Lines,” remarked Donckerwolke. “Our livery embodies a distinctly Korean character, showcasing gradations from Magma Orange to a deep red that hint at the high temperatures generated by the powertrain. Meanwhile, the Hangeul ‘Magma’ script gradually shifts in colour, creating a Doppler effect that echoes the thrilling sound of the V8 Twin Turbo engine in motion.”
This vibrant Magma Orange dominates the livery to capture the energy of Korea. Subtle Hangeul lettering for “Magma” (마그마) is woven into the design, with consonants “ㅁ, ㄱ, ㅁ” forming geometric motifs that reflect GMR’s logo. As the colour transitions from bright orange at the front to a deeper red at the rear, it symbolises an intensifying performance, mirroring the heat of a high-powered engine and the audible shift of the Doppler effect. Towards the back, bold Hangeul script emerges, bringing a strong emotional charge that underlines the GMR-001 Hypercar’s unique identity.
Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing, stated: “Today marks a landmark moment for Genesis Magma Racing as we present the GMR-001 Hypercar, along with our dramatic livery and race suits. In preparing for our 2026 WEC and 2027 IMSA entries, we are not simply forming a race team but creating a legacy. Each milestone brings us closer to unlocking the full motorsport potential of Genesis.”
To accompany the GMR-001 Hypercar, Genesis Magma Racing’s race suits incorporate the brand’s Two-Lines design language alongside G-Matrix graphics, echoing the car’s aesthetic and reinforcing the synergy between driver and machine. Among those donning the suits are motorsport veterans André Lotterer—three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans champion—and Luis “Pipo” Derani, four-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Their expertise will be pivotal in shaping the team’s performance ahead of its WEC debut.
“Wearing the race suit made me realise the excitement of this opportunity,” said Lotterer. “This isn’t just a uniform; it symbolises the brand’s dedication to brilliant design and top-tier performance. I’m honoured to race for Genesis Magma Racing and look forward to testing the GMR-001 Hypercar at legendary tracks like Le Mans and Daytona.”
Embracing the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and sustainability, Genesis Magma Racing champions an approach known as “Hyperspeed”—rooted in Korea’s relentless drive for progress and mirrored by daring design and engineering. The team has already embarked on its competitive journey in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in partnership with IDEC Sport, fielding an LMP2 car and featuring two drivers—Jamie Chadwick (UK) and Mathys Jaubert (France)—from the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme. The team’s debut at the 4 Hours of Barcelona saw a triumphant win in the LMP2 class.
Through its ELMS experience, Genesis Magma Racing prepares for the 2026 WEC and 2027 IMSA SportsCar Championship campaigns, bolstered by Hyundai Motorsport’s title-winning pedigree. The GMR-001 Hypercar will be displayed at the Genesis booth during the 2025 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre from 18 April, offering the public a glimpse of the brand’s ambitious motorsport vision.
Genesis Magma Racing aims to make the GMR-001 Hypercar a formidable contender on the track by blending unrivalled performance, advanced hybrid technologies, and groundbreaking design. Every insight gained from its endurance racing efforts will inform the next generation of high-performance Magma models, delivering a future-ready motoring experience that remains true to Genesis’ commitment to innovation.
