Genesis motorsports premier (Image courtesy of Genesis)
SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant expansion of its luxury automotive presence, Genesis unveiled its entry into professional motorsports through its new high-performance division, Genesis Magma, at a premiere event held at the Armani Hotel in Dubai, UAE, on December 4.
The luxury automaker revealed plans to compete in two prestigious endurance racing championships, announcing its participation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (WTSCC) in 2027.
The company will field two vehicles in each championship, which are sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), respectively.
Genesis will develop a prototype based on the top-tier Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) specifications, working in collaboration with specialized racing car manufacturer ORECA. The LMDh vehicle, which meets joint regulations established by FIA and IMSA, will be eligible to compete in both championships.
At the Dubai event, Genesis also introduced its racing team, Genesis Magma Racing, whose logo incorporates a geometric interpretation of the Korean characters for “Magma.”
The team has already secured two accomplished drivers: Andre Lotterer, who boasts 84 victories and 166 podium finishes, and Luis Felipe Derani, who achieved a notable double victory in 2016 by winning both the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours races.
Genesis’s GMR-001 Hypercar (Image courtesy of Genesis)
Before its WEC debut, Genesis plans to partner with the renowned racing team IDEC Sport for a trial run in the European Le Mans Series’ LMP2 category in 2025.
The company also unveiled its high-performance racing car, the GMR-001 Hypercar, featuring Genesis’s signature two-line design elements extending from the front to the sides.
The vehicle showcases a black-finished front end, emphasizing its “high-performance luxury” positioning. Genesis highlighted the car’s parabolic line running from front to rear, designed to convey strength and stability, while an active spoiler enhances both high-speed stability and aerodynamic aesthetics.
“Genesis’s entry into motorsport represents a natural evolution for the brand,” said Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Hyundai Motor Group.
“The spirit of motorsport, which demands pushing boundaries at every moment, aligns perfectly with Genesis’s pursuit of being a bold and progressive brand.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
