Genesis Completes Engine Installation, Fire-Up on GMR-001

Genesis has completed the first engine installation and fire-up of its GMR-001 LMDh car, which is set to debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026.

A statement issued by the Korean manufacturer outlines that the 3.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine was installed into the car and first fired up on July 9, with that process taking place “exactly on schedule.”

The process was carried out at ORECA’s base near the Circuit Paul Ricard, with work carried out by ORECA technicians together with mechanics and engineers from Genesis Magma Racing.

As part of the process, engineers were able to run the engine through a rev range in each of the seven gears in the transmission, while also testing the hybrid system by charging the batteries from the engine and directing the energy to the rear driveshafts.

“In a project like this, you have certain dates circled and this was one of them,” said Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

“The car fire-up was the GMR-001 Hypercar coming to life – a huge step in the story of Genesis Magma Racing.

“To reach this point on schedule is already a huge achievement and a perfect way to start the next stage of the development process.”

The integration of the V8 engine (based on Hyundai’s World Rally Championship inline-four engine) into the initial GMR-001 chassis comes after the engine had its initial fire-up back in February.

The first on-track tests, set to take place at the Le Castellet circuit, are currently scheduled for the end of August.

Further testing ahead of the car’s WEC debut will take place at a range of circuits across Europe, with Abiteboul previously saying that the brand plans to add a second car “as quickly as possible.”