Genesis Unveils GMR-001 Hypercar

Photo: Genesis

Genesis has taken the wraps off its GMR-001 Hypercar that will make its debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026.

The luxury Korean automaker, which revealed the Oreca-chassied LMDh prototype on Wednesday in a launch event in Dubai, will also compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship but instead beginning in 2027.

Technical details of the car were not released but will utilize the spec LMDh hybrid, battery and gearbox setup that debuted in the formula in 2023.

“The GMR-001 Hypercar and our Magma models represent a fusion of Genesis’ performance ambitions with our design-driven DNA,” said Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke.

“From the intense orange of Magma, symbolizing Korean passion and energy, to the precision engineering behind each component, we are entering a new chapter, where speed meets elegance.”

The GMR-001 is the third LMDh model to be built on the Oreca chassis, joining the Acura ARX-06 and Alpine A424, which currently race exclusively in the WeatherTech Championship and WEC, respectively.

Additionally, it was announced that Cyril Abiteboul will serve as team principal for the newly formed Genesis Magma Racing.

The factory outfit will consolidate its operations at a “permanent strategic base” at Circuit Paul Ricard, leveraging its proximity to both ORECA Motorsport and IDEC Sport to “streamline collaboration.”

It’s understood the race base will be operational by the second quarter of next year, with on-track testing set to begin in the summer months.

It was also confirmed that the Nicolas Minassian-led IDEC Sport operation will enter a LMP2 car in the European Le Mans Series next year as part of Genesis’ development phase for the LMDh program.

“The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion,” said Abiteboul, who also serves as president of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH.

“As the backbone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this latest ambitious program. We are elevating our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level as we prepare to compete in some of the world’s most challenging series.”

Photo: Genesis

Photo: Genesis

Photo: Genesis

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John