Genesis Unveils High-Performance Magma Racing at Dubai Launch Event
Genesis today unveils its audacious new direction in the realm of high-performance luxury. The brand made a thrilling debut in Dubai with the launch of Genesis Magma Racing, marking a significant foray into motorsport. The event emphasised Genesis' dedication to endurance racing, showcasing its commitment to innovation, speed, and passion.
Hyundai Motorsport GmbH has bolstered Hyundai Motor Group's global racing and rallying operations for over a decade and will now support Genesis in the esteemed World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2027. This initiative places Genesis on the world's most demanding circuits, highlighting its engineering prowess and endurance capabilities.
Endurance racing, celebrated for its prestige and challenge, requires speed, reliability, and strategic prowess over extended periods. Iconic events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 24 push the endurance of both vehicles and drivers to their limits.
At the heart of endurance racing is the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) class—a premier category combining advanced technology with standardised components to manage costs and ensure competitive fairness. LMDh vehicles compete internationally in WEC and IMSA, displaying engineering excellence and innovative strength.
By entering the LMDh category, Genesis positions itself alongside top manufacturers competing on the world's most prestigious racing stages. This move highlights the brand’s capability for innovation under extreme motorsport conditions while maintaining its commitments to luxury and sustainability.
“This motorsport venture is a natural evolution for Genesis,” explains Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer at Genesis. “It allows us to channel our brand's essence of hyperspeed innovation in a way that perfectly aligns with our core values: audacious, progressive, and distinctly Korean.”
Unveiled alongside the Genesis Magma Racing announcement, the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar is a testament to the brand’s “Athletic Elegance.” The car’s striking design encapsulates Genesis' high-performance ethos in an endurance-ready package.
Another event highlight was the unveiling of the Genesis Magma Racing logo, inspired by the Korean alphabet, Hangul, which is the spelling of "Magma." The emblem incorporates fundamental geometric shapes, dynamically representing Genesis' heritage and bold motorsport ambitions.
“The logo blends innovation with cultural authenticity, epitomising our distinctly Korean identity and our bold foray into motorsport,” added Donckerwolke.
Styled with Genesis’ signature Two Lines lighting, the GMR-001 Hypercar radiates confidence on the track. Its sleek lighting and flowing bodywork accentuate the brand’s minimalist design principles, enhancing visual impact in various settings.
The hypercar’s meticulously crafted surfaces, inspired by the Magma lineup, merge subtle sculptural details to underscore athleticism and speed. The car’s contours enhance aerodynamics and project a confident, agile stance.
Under the leadership of President Cyril Abiteboul, Hyundai Motorsport will lead Genesis Magma Racing’s endurance racing strategy. Having recently secured titles in the FIA World Rally Championship and TCR World Tour, Hyundai Motorsport is well-prepared to support Genesis in this ambitious endeavour, collaborating with trusted partners.
“The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing marks a significant milestone,” stated Cyril Abiteboul. “As the cornerstone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, we are ready to elevate our circuit racing expertise to unprecedented levels.”
With the combined expertise of its team and the skills of drivers André Lotterer and Luis ‘Pipo’ Derani, Genesis Magma Racing is set for success. Both drivers are keen to develop the GMR-001 Hypercar and compete in the 2026 LMDh season.
Genesis Magma Racing will set up a strategic base at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, working closely with ORECA Motorsport and IDEC Sport to optimise collaboration and prepare for upcoming challenges.
The unveiling of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the launch of Genesis' bold motorsport strategy herald a new era of high-performance luxury, expanding the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence beyond the racetrack.
