Inside the Reveal of the Genesis Full-Scale Magma Racing Hypercar

Genesis turns heads with the unveiling of its GMR-001

Genesis recently showcased its full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar, which is scheduled to compete in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, featuring the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans as its flagship race. The hypercar, which displayed a vibrant orange livery at Genesis House in New York, is part of the automaker’s new Magma Racing division. Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke helped facilitate the vehicle’s bodywork at the Genesis Design Europe facility, and the car’s hybrid powertrain and chassis were developed alongside ORECA Motorsport. Full technical specifications are currently under wraps.

The GMR-001 and Magma Racing utilize orange as a key part of their brand identity, with Genesis describing the color as representing Korea’s vibrant energy. Orange livery dominates this hypercar’s front, while the back half transitions to a deep red primary shade.

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The automaker’s race entry will help its foothold in Europe

Genesis’ signature two-line lighting wraps around the car’s front and rear, reflecting the brand’s sensibilities while maintaining night racing functionality. This cornerstone two-line pattern is similarly present on the team’s racing suits, which also contain a sweeping geometric shape pattern. Genesis will race three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani, a four-time victor at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Magma Racing hasn’t yet announced its third driver, but the team will draw on the expertise of legendary racer Jacky Ickx, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times.

Ickx joined Magma Racing due to his interest in building a luxury automaker’s racing presence from scratch. Now 80, Ickx said: “When you receive a car that is already winning, things are easy. But challenges are the key of life—if things are easy, what’s the point? I don’t see myself waiting for the telephone to ring. I love the idea of living in the present and the future. I love the idea of dying standing up, surrounded by something I like to do,” Motorsport reports.

Competing in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship will help Genesis gain brand awareness in Europe, where the sport hosts three races. The brand isn’t well known in Europe, which isn’t surprising considering it entered the continent’s market in 2020 and American drivers were introduced to Genesis in 2016.

Magma Racing has confirmed that they will also compete in the International Motor Sports Association SportsCar Championship, starting in 2027. This championship is primarily held in the US and Canada, with some of the most famous International Motor Sports Association races including the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Six Hours of The Glen, and Petit Le Mans. In an interview with The Race, Genesis’s Luc Donckerwolke spoke on the brand’s decision to enter endurance racing over F1 or Formula E: “I think the first [explanation] is having a direct relationship to our line-up of cars. It is much closer, and also the public, the audience, is actually closer to the type of vehicles we sell.”

Final thoughts

While Magma Racing hasn’t yet released full technical specifications for its GMR-001 Hypercar, Le Mans Daytona hybrid regulations stipulate a peak combined horsepower of 670. Genesis had only debuted a half-scale version of the car earlier this month at the Seoul Mobility Show, so it’s clear that the automaker is going full speed ahead with its racing plans after officially launching the team in December. Genesis will display its GMR-001 during the New York International Auto Show from April 18 to April 27.