LE CASTELLET, France, June 1, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has revealed the special livery that will be carried by the team’s pair of GMR-001 Hypercars for the team’s debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The design returns the team’s livery to the Magma-inspired livery shown at the Genesis area of the Manufacturer Village at the 2025 event.

Inspired by Korean Energy and Culture

The livery’s colors take inspiration from the lava at the heart of the Magma name, created in reference to the volcanic origins of the Korean peninsula and the energy that lies below the surface of South Korea. The presence of power below the surface is also present in Korean culture, embodied by the humble confidence shown by the country’s people in the public eye.

Like them, Genesis Magma Racing has high targets and confidence that it can achieve them, but also embodies a humble approach, especially in its debut year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Despite surprising many by scoring points in just its second race in the championship at last month’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Genesis Magma Racing remains focused on the reliability of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the challenge of reaching the finish in its first 24-hour race.

“For the entire Genesis brand, including of course Genesis Magma Racing, design is one of the foundational pillars,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “Fans and supporters have been vocal in their love of the Magma Orange concept livery that was unveiled last year, and, as always, Genesis takes our supporters’ feedback into consideration by bringing it to reality with a bold evolution. More than a race livery, it’s an artful statement — where color and form convey the unique performance identity of Genesis.”

The gradual color shift over the length of the GMR-001 Hypercar flows from the signature Magma Orange at the front — a hue symbolizing Korea’s vibrant energy — to deep red at the rear, evoking a sense of speed and rising intensity, mirroring both the temperature of a high-performance engine and the acoustic shift of the Doppler effect as a car passes at full speed. The livery retains the hangeul lettering for “Magma” (마그마) over the length of the car, now in a contrasting gradient, running from red at the front of the car to Magma Orange at the rear.

The team’s two cars – #17 and #19 – will both carry the design for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The two liveries differ in the #19 sporting white Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing logos and additional highlights compared to the orange and black of the #17 entry.

Working With Technical Partner to Perfect Design

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the biggest weekend of our year,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “It is the toughest test we face during the FIA WEC season, especially as a team in our first season, but it is also our biggest opportunity to show the identity of Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing to the world through racing.”

He added: “Since we launched the team in December 2024, Magma has been a key part of our name and our identity, so to be able to bring Genesis Magma fully to life on track is very important. The cars look fantastic, and as a team we will be working to make sure our performance matches the level of attention that has gone into creating the designs.”

Donckerwolke explained: “As we do for every production car, we will keep innovating and testing new solutions to always be recognized and unique. Genesis global design has worked hand in hand with the racing team to create a striking yet lightweight livery for the biggest race of the 2026 WEC season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

To bring the design to life, Genesis Magma Racing has worked closely with Technical Partner HEXIS to perfect the gradient design to look its best both standing on the grid and racing at full speed. Drawing on the expertise of HEXIS and its latest generation of wrapping films, these ultra-conformable adhesives have been specially developed to enhance the colors from every angle. The specially engineered films are capable of enduring the harsh conditions of endurance racing, from high-velocity airflow and heat to track debris. To guarantee this, HEXIS’s BODYFENCE steps in as an invisible armor; this advanced paint protection film keeps the livery spotless and fiercely glossy, ensuring that gravel and track grit won't dull the design, all without adding unnecessary weight, while meeting the strict design brief for the livery. From the afternoon sun to the dead of night on the Mulsanne Straight, the GMR-001 Hypercar will catch the light in a unique way, ensuring a spectacular visual impact without compromising the car’s performance.

Gangho Yoon, Research Engineer of the Genesis Total Vehicle Evaluation Team, emphasized that “the exterior of the GV60 Magma has been honed for both visual distinction and improved aerodynamic performance.” The wider tires of the vehicle are housed under newly designed quarter and fender garnishes that accentuate the car’s athletic stance. Air breather garnishes have been strategically integrated to optimize airflow around the body.

A defining element is the refined winglet-type rear spoiler, intended to enhance the vehicle’s aesthetic while improving both drag and lift characteristics, ensuring stable downforce during high-speed driving.

A Magma-Exclusive Interior

Inside, the driver is greeted by a suite of bespoke features designed to create a deeper connection between the driver and the vehicle. The seats, steering wheel and interface are all designed to facilitate the dynamic driving that the GV60 Magma’s capabilities encourage.

Bucket seats are engineered to directly convey the vehicle's driving feel to the driver. These exclusive seats provide a seating posture optimized for dynamic driving and high-speed stability. The design balances firm support with a refined softness, featuring a dual-curvature cushion that enhances thigh support while lowering the center of gravity.

Suede-finished side bolsters offer exceptional grip during cornering, while carefully adjusted foam hardness ensures comfort on long drives. The seats include a 10-way power adjustment function with cushion extension, delivering a configuration that supports both everyday driving and spirited performance, satisfying both daily and sporting needs, unique for a high-performance vehicle.

The Magma steering wheel is designed to blend luxury with adrenaline. A smaller circular horn cover and Magma-colored switches create a focused, sporty feel. The circular rim is designed for natural movements during dynamic steering maneuvers, while the cross-section is optimized for solid, stable handling.

The steering wheel includes paddle shifters designed to minimize hand fatigue while giving the driver more control, enhancing the enjoyment of high-performance EV driving.

The entire infotainment experience has been reimagined with a Magma-exclusive Graphical User Interface (GUI) applied across the cluster, central screen and head-up display.

The Genesis Magma interface aims to enhance driver focus and responsiveness by delivering essential information concisely and intuitively, ensuring optimal engagement behind the wheel. This digital cluster capitalizes on the true black capabilities of its OLED display, contrasting it with Magma Orange to create a minimalist design inspired by the look of a watch face that enhances immersion.

In the specialized Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) mode, the display provides crucial performance data, including an indicator light for optimal gear shifting, a G-force meter, a performance timer and remaining boost timer. This digital interface delivers both the thrill of high performance and the refined elegance unique to Genesis.

Curated Performance: GT and Sprint Modes

Accessible via a dedicated button on the left side of the steering wheel, the two Magma-exclusive drive modes, GT (Grand Touring) and Sprint, allow the driver to instantly tailor the vehicle’s setup to desired driving characteristics.

GT Mode embodies the core Magma ethos of harmonizing comfort and performance. It calibrates the acceleration response for smooth, relaxed dynamics ideal for high-speed, long-distance cruising, yet powerful performance remains instantly accessible if the driver depresses the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. The electronically controlled suspension adjusts to provide continued stability and a comfortable ride even at high speeds. all -wheel-drive control and front-rear power distribution are also optimized to enhance efficiency and driving range.

Sprint Mode adjusts all electronically controlled components — steering, suspension, motor and electronic-Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) — to their most aggressive, sporty settings for an intensified driving experience. Also, traction is maximized by adjusting front-rear power distribution and e-LSD control. In this way, Sprint Mode realizes the best interpretation of Magma’s vision of uncompromising high performance.

Intelligent Integration for an Immersive Experience

A key distinction of the GV60 Magma’s drive modes is the ability to interpret driver intent and automatically integrate various performance functions.

For instance, in GT Mode, when the accelerator is fully depressed, an Auto Boost Function is activated, providing instantaneous access to peak acceleration without any additional input required.

Sprint Mode works in conjunction with Auto Boost and several additional hidden functions to further enhance the GV60 Magma’s performance. For instance, pressing both the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously when not moving activates a Launch Control function. This switches the High-Performance Battery Control to Race Mode, actively regulating battery temperature to ensure optimal power output at all times. It also sets the Virtual Gear Shift function to its most dynamic setting to deliver sportier shift responses, sound and shifting logic to maximize the high-performance driving experience.

Virtual Gear Shift: A Tactile Connection

The GV60 Magma introduces a more sophisticated Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) function that recreates the feel of shifting gears in a high-performance internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Using realistic sound, the system simulates the experience of a V6 engine paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

This function is highly adaptive, with shift patterns, feel and sound fine-tuned for each drive mode — from luxurious and smooth in Comfort to dynamic and thrilling in Sprint. To complete the simulation, an RPM Fuel Cut feature adds a layer of realism during manual shifting via the paddle shifters. This feature simulates a common mechanism in an ICE that disables fuel injection when the engine reaches a specific RPM limit.

e-Active Sound Design Plus

Complementing the VGS is the e-ASD+, an enhanced virtual sound technology. To deliver a richer auditory experience that aligns with the expectations for a high-performance vehicle, two additional exterior speakers have been installed.

Drivers can select from two exclusive soundscapes. The first is a powerful, futuristic EV sound inspired by the audio revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The second is a newly developed sound designed specifically for the VGS function, realistically replicating the powerful acoustics of a high-revving engine redlining at 9,000 RPM.

SEOUL, March 26, 2026 — Genesis today announced that it has been recognized with two prestigious iF Design Awards for 2026, honoring the marque’s dedication to creating refined, meaningful connections with its customers through both digital and physical experiences. The Genesis Magma User Interface (UI) and the Genesis Tea Experience were awarded in the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) disciplines, respectively. 

Genesis Magma UI 

Genesis Magma UI, honored in the Product Interfaces category, is the graphical user interface for the high-performance GV60 Magma. Its design concept, inspired by the intricate beauty of a mechanical watch face, expresses the unique identity and refined luxury of the Magma high-performance program. 

It capitalizes on the true black capabilities of its OLED display, contrasting it with Magma Orange to create a minimalist design. The interface changes based on the driving mode to display crucial performance data such as a G-force meter and the remaining boost time of the car’s Boost Mode. It provides a dynamic and intuitive experience, seamlessly blending sophisticated aesthetics with rewarding, driver-focused functionality. 

Genesis Tea Experience 

The Genesis Tea Experience, a winner in the Retail/Banking UX category, is a quiet and immersive moment of mindfulness designed to build lasting relationships that go beyond the transactional. Rooted in Korean tea culture, where warmth and thoughtful hospitality are paramount, the experience engages the senses with intention. 

Every detail — from the aroma and flavor of the signature tea blends to the bespoke teaware inspired by traditional Korean motifs such as Hanbok ribbon ties, the fortune pouch (Bokjumeoni), folding screens (Byungpung) and the Bojagi fabric wrap — is intentionally crafted. Through subtle storytelling, each element guides guests into a state of calm. Instead of relying on spectacle, this refined, sensory approach transforms brand spaces and proves that stillness can leave the deepest impression. Its presence elevates hospitality and sets a new emotional standard in luxury automotive communication, inviting guests to reconnect and feel truly seen. 

Genesis has been recognized by the prestigious iF Design Awards for two distinct, yet equally important, aspects of its brand experience guided by its “Son-nim” value of hospitality, where every customer is treated as an honored guest. The dynamic Magma UI and the serene Genesis Tea Experience fully embody the design philosophy of “Athletic Elegance,” showcasing an audacious and progressive approach. This demonstrates that the Genesis journey transcends mere driving experience. 

The iF Design Award, hosted by iF International Forum Design GmbH, is one of the world’s most celebrated and valued design competitions. For 2026, the awards attracted over 10,000 submissions from 68 countries, which were evaluated by a panel of 129 expert jurors. 

Mastering Aerodynamics and Road Noise

Sounds such as wind and road noise become more noticeable against the inherently quiet nature of the electric powertrain. This effect is heightened in a performance vehicle, which operates at higher speeds and utilizes high-performance tires that naturally transmit more noise and vibrations from road surfaces. 

To counter this, engineers focused on two key areas: minimizing wind noise at speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and reducing road noise transmitted through the high-performance tires and lightweight wheels. 

Genesis worked rigorously to clearly establish NVH performance standards for the GV60 Magma. Research engineers evaluated the GV60 Magma in extreme crosswind simulations and real-world testing on Germany's Nürburgring and Autobahn, pushing the car to its top speed of 264 kilometers per hour. 

The tests revealed that the most noticeable noise during high-speed EV driving is airflow around the vehicle. To combat this airflow noise, the engineering team reinforced the vehicle’s overall sealing structure, redesigning the cross-sectional design of the door seals and optimizing compression force distribution. 

In addition, the thickness of the driver’s side insulating glass film increased by 7%, and soundproof film was added to the rear door glass as standard, creating a multi-layered barrier against intrusive noise. Finally, the team added sound-absorbing materials inside the door trim to more effectively suppress any transmitted airflow noise. 

To address road noise, the engineering team conducted a detailed analysis of the vehicle structure and noise transmission paths to determine the optimal composition and placement of additional sound-absorbing materials. As a result, sound-absorbing pads were installed inside the tires and the sound-absorbing materials in the floor were reinforced. 

The team also integrated Active Noise Control-Road (ANC-R) technology for any sound that gets through these reinforced barriers. The ANC-R system uses accelerometers and microphones inside the vehicle to detect low-frequency road noise in real time, then generates an opposing sound wave through the vehicle's speakers to effectively cancel it out. 

Refining the Electric Powertrain 

Beyond the cabin, significant attention was paid to the GV60 Magma’s high-performance Power Electric system. To mitigate the high-frequency noises that can result from a motor and inverter with enhanced output, engineers optimized the torque ripple compensation logic, reducing the electrical excitation forces generated during motor operation without impacting efficiency. 

Furthermore, the inverter control logic was specifically designed to minimize voltage distortion, another potential source of high-frequency noise during high-load driving. Additionally, to reduce gear noise, the machining quality of the reducer gears was improved, and the press-fit force was meticulously tuned to ensure uniform, quiet meshing. 

The result of all these improvements is that the GV60 Magma maintains a tranquil, refined cabin environment even during high-speed driving, a new type of driving sensation even for experienced drivers. 

Predictive Handling Through Advanced Torque Vectoring

At the core of the GV60 Magma's dynamic character is a state-of-the-art torque vectoring system. The primary objective is to ensure the vehicle’s movements remain predictable and intuitively controllable, even under extreme driving conditions. This is achieved through the seamless integration of the dual electric motors, an electronic Limited-Slip Differential (e-LSD) and the braking system.

The system actively distributes drive power between the front and rear motors to naturally mitigate understeer and oversteer, promoting fluid, continuous cornering behavior during both normal and extreme driving conditions. The rear-mounted e-LSD optimizes the tire grip of the inner and outer wheels as loads shift during cornering, delivering a precise balance of stability and agility. This is further enhanced by brake-based torque vectoring that directly aligns with the driver’s steering inputs even during sharp cornering.

The entire system, which includes the front and rear drive motors, e-LSD and brakes, is configured with refined settings for each electronic stability control (ESC) mode. “Genesis refined the system via rigorous winter testing in Sweden and New Zealand to ensure stable yet playful motion control, even on low-grip surfaces like snow,” explained Gwichul Kim, Senior Research Engineer of the Genesis Chassis Test Team.

The GV60 Magma also introduces a new Drift Mode. Genesis engineered this feature to make the thrilling dynamics of drifting accessible and controllable in an all-wheel-drive electric vehicle. By employing drift-specific torque vectoring logic and a unique acceleration map, the system induces natural, sustained oversteer, allowing the driver to more easily maintain the vehicle’s attitude during a drift.

Uncompromising Braking Performance

The GV60 Magma is equipped with a braking system equal to the demands of its high-output electric powertrain and optimized regenerative braking control. Large 400-millimeter disc brakes, monoblock calipers and high-performance Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) control work in concert to produce enough stopping power to, in just 33.8 meters, bring the vehicle to a full stop from 100 kilometers per hour.

The system maximizes the use of regenerative braking from both front and rear wheels, even during intense braking or ABS activation. This effectively combats brake fade, a phenomenon that occurs during intense driving of a temporary reduction in braking power due to too much heat in the braking system. Furthermore, a regenerative braking slip control function ensures that stability remains uncompromised if wheels slip.

Drivers can also select their preferred braking feel, as different parameters correspond to the different drive modes of the GV60 Magma. Comfort Mode provides a smooth, linear response with an initial free stroke area for everyday driving. Sport Mode eliminates the free stroke area and increases hydraulic control for immediate, powerful responsiveness suited for the track. Braking power is also increased by approximately 15 percent at high speeds in Sport Mode, delivering an enhanced level of confidence and control.

“To achieve this unique feel when driving a GV60 Magma, the ride and handling was refined with four key concepts in mind,” said Kangwook Jeon, Senior Research Engineer of the Genesis Ride and Handling Test Team. The first concept is the idea that the GV60 Magma should be easy to control, meaning it is tailored for intuitive handling. The second, yet equally important, concept is that the car should be fast and stable, engineered for agile cornering and smooth body movement. The third is that the car should be precise in handling, designed to manage movement dynamics with fine accuracy. Fourth is selectable sportiness, allowing drivers to adapt the driving characteristics of the car to their specific preferences for a personalized experience.

Building the Foundation: A Reimagined Suspension System

These concepts have been brought to life through a completely reimagined next-gen suspension geometry. Genesis engineers redesigned the parts of the car directly linked to the wheels — the lower arms, hub carriers and link structures — to amplify precision and agility, culminating in enhanced cornering performance.

The next-generation suspension adjustments extend to the roll center, the virtual axis around which the vehicle tilts. The GV60 Magma’s roll center has been significantly lowered compared to the current GV60 — reducing the front roll center from 122.3 to 41.6 millimeters and the rear from 169.6 to 80.1 millimeters. This change maximizes tire grip during high-performance driving. Additionally, the caster trail was increased by 16 millimeters and arm length by 2 millimeters, enhancing both steering and straight-line stability. These optimizations improve the vertical tire load by 10% and cornering force by over 18%.

The driving performance of the GV60 Magma is also augmented by new damper specifications. Genesis engineers have introduced stroke-sensing Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) technology, which responds in real time to road conditions to adjust damping force. This system minimizes noise and impact, even on uneven surfaces like potholes, ensuring a tranquil drive while maintaining vehicle stability.

Additional enhancements include the End-of-Travel (EoT) system, which detects roll angles and instantly adjusts damping, refining cornering precision and stability. The front axle incorporates Hydro G-bushings for sharper steering responsiveness. Dual-layer member bushings in the rear enable separate control of vertical and longitudinal vibrations. Together these components create a harmonious balance between high-limit road performance and cabin quietness.

Finally, any road impacts that get through these complex systems are further mitigated by the vehicle’s high-strength components and urethane insulators, completing Genesis’ signature driving refinement.

Sophisticated Design Meets Practical Performance

Genesis also modified several components of its wheel design for the GV60 Magma. Ultra-wide 275-millimeter tires, paired with lightweight forged wheels, further enhance grip and responsiveness. To match the vehicle's new geometry, the hub carrier design was revised, widening the wheel track by 5 millimeters per wheel, 10 millimeters total. New fifth-generation P-ZERO tires were chosen, as they offer improved structure, comfort, cornering force and better performance across wet and snowy conditions.

These GV60 Magma's chassis component refinements benefit further from meticulous adjustments to spring stiffness, shock absorber length and stabilizer bar specifications, tuning the entire system to ensure a driving experience that feels both controlled and effortless.

Body Rigidity: Elevating Stability

Genesis engineers reinforced the GV60 Magma's body for heightened stability at ultra-high speeds. With an additional 0.65 meters of structural adhesive and 20 extra welding points, the body absorbs shock and vibrations more effectively. L-brackets integrated within the wheel housings improve torsional rigidity by 9.7%, sharpening steering responsiveness and driving stability.

Every element of the GV60 Magma is designed to deliver a dynamic driving experience without compromising refinement. With its ride and handling technology, enhanced geometry, and advanced suspension systems, the GV60 Magma stands as a flagship model in Genesis' EV lineup. These technical details combine to create a thrilling high-performance drive.

“In a very short period of time, our engineers achieved something truly remarkable,” said Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Division. “They created a car that is not only fast, but truly Genesis; a car that inspires confidence and provides a true emotional connection.” 
 

Extensive enhancements to the powertrain, including upgraded electric motors and refined rotor speed development, enable the GV60 Magma to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.4 seconds and from 0 to 200 kilometers per hour in just 10.9 seconds — offering the most powerful performance within the Genesis lineup. Its front and rear motors generate a maximum speed of 20,920 rotations per minute delivering 790 Newton-meters of torque, a peak output of 650 PS (641 horsepower) and a top speed of 264 kilometers per hour, making it the fastest EV Genesis has ever made.

This remarkable performance isn't just about hardware; Genesis has also introduced advanced software refinements. The GV60 Magma employs next-generation two-stage motor control, overcoming the high-speed power limitations typically found in conventional EVs. Boost Mode gives the driver up to 15 seconds of maximum output, unleashing even more torque and power even at high speeds.

Luxury and Driving Dynamics in Perfect Harmony

The GV60 Magma also offers precision-tuned driving dynamics tailored for any situation. The vehicle features five distinct drive modes: Range, Comfort, Sport and the Magma-exclusive Sprint and GT modes.

• Range Mode prioritizes efficiency and maximizes driving range with seamless responsiveness.

• Comfort Mode strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy for everyday use.

• Sport Mode quickens responsiveness, offering a spirited driving experience for routine journeys.

• Sprint Mode unleashes aggressive torque and accelerator sensitivity ideal for track settings.

• GT Mode delivers the performance of a luxury grand tourer, blending effortless cruising with commanding acceleration when needed.

Innovative Pedal Response for Enhanced Control

A key element in delivering this dynamic range is the specially configured accelerator pedal. “The pedal resistance was increased across all ranges to enhance control over acceleration,” said Taejun Kang, Senior Research Engineer of the Genesis EV Performance Test Team. Resistance has been adjusted to elevate control and reduce fatigue, offering lower resistance in light pedal applications for daily driving and greater resistance for high-depression inputs during sporty maneuvers. This ensures a smooth and intuitive connection between the driver and the vehicle's subtle power.

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 23, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing will work with HEXIS for the production and application of self-adhesive film to create the team’s livery on the GMR-001 Hypercars for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The French company will become a Technical Partner for the team.

Hexis Quality Products Play Vital Role for Team’s Identity

Livery is a critical part of the identity of any race team, and even more so for a team introducing a new manufacturer to the world of motorsport, which is Genesis Magma Racing’s exciting role in 2026.

To have maximum effect, especially in the face of the unique demands of endurance racing, the material applied to the car needs to be durable while not compromising the aerodynamics and efficiency of the race car. To match this complex set of demands, HEXIS’ solutions are developed to perform under intense mechanical stress, high-speed airflow, extreme temperature variations and demanding race-weekend logistics.

Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship is very demanding on every detail of the car, inside and out. The film on the car needs to be extremely light but very strong to resist the force of the air at high speed and impacts of stones and other small debris so the GMR-001 Hypercar looks its best throughout each race weekend.”

Genesis Magma Racing’s partnership with HEXIS gives the team the benefit of the company’s more than 35 years of experience, innovation and expertise in motorsport, honed through work with teams at every level of racing, from national series up to World Championships. That innovative expertise has come to the fore in HEXIS’ work with Genesis to develop a custom film that will be used on the GMR-001 Hypercar specifically for the team.

Shared DNA Joins Partners Together to Meet Challenge

Entering the FIA WEC as a brand-new manufacturer in motorsport is an enormous challenge for Genesis Magma Racing but one that the team is determined to work hard to overcome to earn the right to compete for podiums and victories. The same DNA runs through HEXIS, prompting the company to continually push itself through partnerships with leading motorsport teams.

“We search for performance together. We solve challenges together. We aim to win together,” said Clément Mateu, CEO of the HEXIS Group. “The world of motorsport remains a fantastic laboratory for testing and developing new technologies. HEXIS Group is fully committed to working alongside some racing teams and pro race drivers in this race for innovation and technological challenges.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 20, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has partnered with award-winning outdoor furniture brand Helinox for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, bringing practical, design-led solutions to the circuit for the 2026 campaign. The partnership with Helinox brings together two major South Korean brands with a shared commitment to high standards and beautiful design.

Partnership Provides Solution to Important Issue

Throughout its debut season in the FIA WEC, Genesis Magma Racing will be supplied with chairs and cots designed with the team’s signature Magma orange and Hangeul-inspired logo.

The Helinox products will solve one of the most obvious problems of endurance racing – making sure the team and drivers can rest between the intense moments of competition. To succeed at the highest levels of motorsport, everyone needs to be at their best. “A comfortable work environment is essential to have every person working to their full potential,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie. “Having chairs and cots for the team might seem like a small thing, but at events where teams can work into and through the night, making sure people can rest and sleep is very important to minimize mistakes and keep everyone focused on our shared goal of winning.”

Helinox products in the team’s pit garages and private areas will allow team members to rest and recharge in comfort but still provide the flexibility to be easily moved, packed and stored during and between race weekends of the global series.

As a result of the partnership, the public will also be able to purchase Genesis Magma Racing-branded Helinox products, giving fans of the WEC’s newest Hypercar team the chance to show their support in the trackside spectator and camping areas of the 2026 season.

Helinox and Genesis Combine Function and Aesthetics

Helinox prides themselves on building the world’s lightest, strongest and most comfortable outdoor furniture designed to make any space – whether mountain trails, snowy slopes or the surroundings of the World Endurance Championship paddock – feel like home.

However, just as the mythological figures of Helios and Nox, who inspired the company’s name, represented the complementary contrasts of day and night, Helinox holds a balance between two seemingly contradictory qualities. The company aims for the space between function and aesthetics, becoming a hub of culture and creativity. In this pursuit the brand frequently partners with creative leaders, including names from fashion and contemporary art.

Genesis also seeks to blend function and form, including in the design of the GMR-001 Hypercar that will make them the first Korean manufacturer to enter the FIA WEC. The car combines key traits of Genesis’s road car range – including the instantly recognizable Two-Line headlamp design – with the requirements of a machine intended to take on one of motorsport’s toughest challenges.

“We are proud to partner with Genesis Magma Racing for the FIA World Endurance Championship,” Helinox’s Marketing, Innovation and Design team stated. “What connects our brands is a shared belief in purposeful, performance-driven design. At Helinox, we create lightweight, high-strength solutions that balance action and recovery because performance is sustained not only through intensity, but through rest. In endurance racing, where focus must be maintained over long hours and through the night, that balance becomes essential.”

Genesis recently unveiled its first high-performance car that embodies this spirit, the GV60 Magma — inspired by the hidden potential energy of magma bubbling unseen beneath the earth’s surface. Sharing this DNA trackside is the GMR-001 Hypercar that will be piloted by the Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) team when Genesis makes its official motorsport debut at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Qatar this March.

Both the GV60 Magma and GMR-001 will be making a joint appearance at Davos, Switzerland, during the annual World Economic Forum from Jan. 19 to 23. The display will take center stage at the entrance of the Ameron Hotel.

The exhibition follows the Genesis Magma World Premiere in November 2025 and celebrates the start of sales of the GV60 Magma in Korea, which began on Jan. 13. By showcasing both the production model and the Hypercar together, Genesis reinforces the inseparable relationship between its luxury road cars and its elite racing program.

The Genesis Trajectory: Luxury Meets High Performance

Since its inception, Genesis has cultivated a reputation for luxury and innovation. At the 10-year anniversary of the brand in November 2025, Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma, a car engineered to reflect Genesis’ strategy of luxury high performance.

At the Genesis Magma World Premiere on Nov. 20, 2025, José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Magma represents our declaration that the next ten years will be even more significant. We're not just building high-performance vehicles; we're redefining what a luxury high performance brand can be when Korean innovation meets global ambition."

This trajectory is about more than just endurance and performance — it’s about legacy.

Shared DNA On and Off the Track

Motorsport serves as the ultimate proving ground for advancing automotive innovation in mass-production vehicles. The extreme conditions encountered during high-speed racing — such as advanced aerodynamics, demanding cooling requirements and the sheer durability needed to endure grueling 24-hour competitions — create the perfect environment for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle technology.

Through Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into motorsport and subjecting vehicles like the GMR-001 to the rigorous testing needed to succeed in racing, Genesis can uncover new ways to elevate performance, resulting in meaningful, long-term advancements across its entire product lineup.

These track-bred innovations are seamlessly integrated into the Magma DNA, establishing a strategic pathway for enhancing performance, driving technological breakthroughs and setting new benchmarks for luxury vehicles.

Manfred Harrer, Head of the Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group, explained this at the Magma World Premiere: "The GV60 Magma stands as the bridge between Genesis and our Genesis Magma Racing team. What we learn from GMR feeds back into Magma Road cars, and future Magma models will help power our racing future. It’s a continuous loop of improvement."

From aerodynamics to handling precision, everything learned through racing refines the vehicles that customers bring home.

To illustrate the Magma DNA shared on and off the track, Genesis has produced a short film titled “Le Switch” featuring GMR drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani. It depicts the seamless relationship between the GV60 Magma production car and the GMR-001 Hypercar.

The video begins with Derani driving a GV60 Magma through the scenic coastal roads of the French countryside. Meanwhile, Lotterer finishes a test drive of the GMR-001 Hypercar overseen by GMR Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France — the home base of the GMR team. Derani arrives at the circuit and parks in one of the pit lane garages at the same time Lotterer pulls over in the pits after completing his laps. Both men exit their vehicles, and the pit crew begins preparing the GMR-001 for Derani’s stint. Lotterer spots the GV60 Magma and grabs the key fob. As Derani steps up to the Hypercar to take over racing test duties, he notices the GV60 Magma is already gone. Lotterer is already enjoying the drive to a villa for much-needed rest and relaxation. Le Switch is seamless.

The GV60 Magma introduces a new expression of the Magma identity, bringing a more defined performance character to the Genesis lineup while maintaining the brand’s commitment to luxury, refinement and progressive design. As the first production model in the Magma program, it reflects Genesis’ approach to high performance across both road and race.

Genesis Magma Racing drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani will lead the brand’s Hypercar effort in the 2026 WEC season. As key figures within the program, they represent the performance expertise and competitive mindset that connect the GV60 Magma with the GMR-001 Hypercar, reinforcing the shared intent behind both production innovation and top-level endurance racing.

Together, the GV60 Magma and the GMR-001 Hypercar signal the future direction of the Magma program as Genesis expands its presence across performance, design and global motorsport.

As José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, "What we learn on the track will continue to shape not just Magma, but the future of our brand as a whole."

LE CASTELLET, France, Dec. 19, 2025 — In the year since Genesis Magma Racing was launched in Dubai in December 2024, the team has been incredibly busy. Over the last twelve months an entirely new team has been created, with staff and drivers recruited from across the motorsport spectrum. The team took its first racing steps as part of the Trajectory Program with the European Le Mans Series, while building and developing the GMR-001 Hypercar it will take into next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship. Reflecting on all the work that has been done, but also that which remains, Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul looks back on 2025. 

Can you sum up how 2025 has been for Genesis Magma Racing? 

“It's been a positive, busy and constructive year, in which we have not only delivered a great looking sports car but also built a racing team and established a team base that will be crucial in preparing ourselves over the winter. So, in all these areas, it's been busy, it's been productive, but also very rewarding to orchestrate so much change in just one year.” 

What has been the most difficult part about building a team from scratch? 

“Building up a group of people is tricky, especially as we were creating a brand-new team in a new location. We had to find the people we wanted to bring in, but most of them were busy doing something else, so we had to give them the prospect of not just what we are now, but what we can become together by explaining what the project is about and getting them to believe in the project.” 

“The other big challenge was clearly on the powertrain side. We had very limited time to design the specific parts needed to adapt our WRC engine to the specific requirements of endurance racing to create the Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8. It was clearly a race against the clock. Everything happened very quickly, but we've been able to comply exactly with the schedule we set, from the very first crankshaft revolutions in the dyno in February, to, last week, hitting the 8,000-kilometer target that we had set ourselves.” 

How essential do you think the Trajectory Program and our partnership with IDEC Sport have been in preparing the Genesis Magma Racing team? 

“It was a good tool for us to get to know endurance racing and for endurance racing to get to know us. The ELMS season was also a great opportunity to assess drivers, and that certainly influenced our decisions about our lineup next year. It was also an opportunity for some team members to build a transition from rally into circuit racing.” 

“On track it was very positive. Usually, I'm a big fan of setting targets, but coming to ELMS, actually we had few sporting targets. Then, when success started to come, for sure, it was a great feeling and it began to draw more attention externally and internally, which was precisely the objective. I remember already after race one in Barcelona when we had the first win, I received lots of messages, almost surprised at what we could already achieve. With IDEC Sport, we clearly did well with three wins out of six races, but you still always want a bit more, so we were all a little frustrated of the final championship outcome, but again, it was never the main target for this season.” 

Can you summarize the on-track development we have done with the car? 

“From shakedown onwards, it was a succession of tests with clear plans and targets, and an action plan between each session. It's been busy, but it's been very structured. Our approach was ambitious and pragmatic at the same time – focused on problem resolution and we've done exactly that. What's been great is the number of things that were right straight out of the box. The chassis in particular. The behavior of the car and the reaction to setup change were immediately very good. ORECA gave us a very sound platform from which to build reliability and performance. There has been a good level of cooperation between us and ORECA, from the first test where Genesis Magma Racing staff were clearly outnumbered by ORECA but then came a tipping point as our team was growing. The transfer of responsibility took place very professionally, another demonstration of the very strong planning and execution this year by the team management, Chief Engineer Justin Taylor and Team Manager Anouck Abadie in particular.” 

What was the high point of the year, or a crucial point in the development of the car? 

“There were a few points, I think. First, in the test at Circuit Paul Ricard in summer, when the first feedback from André and Pipo about the general behavior of the car was positive. That was certainly good – there is nothing worse than having to fight for the balance of the car, but the development is far from being linear. We've been making some steps forward, but it's a very, very long process and we know that we are still very far from being able to extract all the lap time that is possible from the package.” 

How important of a milestone is the engine passing 8,000 kilometers during the Barcelona test? 

“It's a big milestone because it shows that it's possible, that there is nothing fundamentally wrong in the engine and in our development decisions. It's a clear demonstration of the capacity of our powertrain group to deal with very short timelines, but also some challenging early days and issues for which measures were developed successfully, and in time.” 
“It's obviously a motivation, because we know we have a product that has the capacity to reach the level we need. Quality control will be essential to make sure that it's not just a one off, but something that we can fully reproduce, and that powertrain technology becomes one of the recognized strengths of Genesis Magma Racing.” 

How does what the team has achieved compare to the goals that were set at the start of the year? 

“If I look at what we had to deliver, I think we delivered extremely well, but it will always be relative to where the bar is placed by our competitors, and we will only be able to find that out next year. In the GMR-001 Hypercar we have a car that has clearly strong potential. The team is maybe new but filled with individuals with huge amounts of experience in various categories. And finally, our lineup of drivers is a very strong balance of three champions – André Lotterer, Pipo Derani and Mathieu Jaminet, an exciting rising star in Mathys, and very established professional drivers with Paul-Loup and Dani. We have exactly what we need – now it's up to us to make the best out of it.” 

What are the next steps for the team and the car development in the first part of 2026? 

“There will be more test days before the first race. It's about trying to do as much as we can before the car goes through homologation, because then any changes will be more limited. That's why the start of the year will be extra busy. We need to have many more iterations on the software side, so that will be very much the focus, as well as working on all the procedures that will be critical when the season starts.” 

“Our target for the start of the year is for us to have both a car and team – including the drivers – that are reliable, making no mistake, focus on completing the race. If we can do that, then it will be about building competitiveness. Once again, it is all about planning for building the very solid foundations we will need in the years to come.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Dec. 5, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini has been heavily involved in the team’s decision-making surrounding drivers for the 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC). Following the recent completion of the driving roster and confirmation of the lineups for the pair of GMR-001 Hypercars that will take to the grid, the former Touring Car star provides insight into his role within the team and the motivations behind recruiting drivers and dividing them between the two entries.

What are the main responsibilities of a Sporting Director during the testing and development of the car, and when we are racing in 2026?

“During testing, the Sporting Director, alongside the Chief Engineer and Team Manager, organizes all the on-track activity, including the run plans and driver rotations, to make sure we efficiently use the track time we have. I confirm each driver’s program and schedule, ensuring a clear relationship between the team and drivers. Working with Team Manager and engineers I am also responsible for helping to refine pitstop procedures, driver change routines and safety checks, acting as the link between management and our drivers.”

“Once Genesis Magma Racing starts to compete, I will oversee all sporting sessions of a race weekend, working on the race strategy with the rest of the team, but also coordinating the drivers’ schedules for the different commitments they will have at the track. The Sporting Director is also the team representative in the official briefings and in clarifying any regulations. For any incident I will be the one managing any investigations and penalties — maintaining communication with Race Control and the stewards and supporting with footage and data — and filing or responding to any protests when required.”

What skills and experience can you transfer from your driving and Team Manager role in Touring Cars into your role as GMR Sporting Director?

“So far, my experience has mainly been in sprint races, but the racing spirit doesn’t change — it just needs to be adapted to longer distances. A driver wants the same things whether he is racing for 30 minutes, or 6 hours. From my experience, I know what our drivers need during a race weekend — what information they need and when, and how I would manage a schedule to make sure I can do my job properly. My extensive experience will certainly help create harmony between the team and drivers’ needs, and a clear target when they are behind the wheel.”

We recently announced Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin as our final two drivers for the 2026 season. What made them stand out from all the available drivers?

“Mathieu and Paul-Loup represent the middle point in our team — between the experience of Andre and Pipo, and the youth and motivation of Mathys and Dani. While assessing driver options we were following the WEC and IMSA championship seasons, where both Mathieu and Paul-Loup have scored great results, Mathieu winning the IMSA title and Paul-Loup scoring his first WEC win, while driving a car built around an ORECA spine, just like the GMR-001 Hypercar.”

When selecting drivers what have been the key factors you and the team have considered?

“The choice of drivers is crucial to the team's success. They need to be talented, fast of course, but you also need to choose drivers who work well together on and off-track. Every driver brings their own individual racing experience and whether it’s long or short, it is very important. I think with our seven drivers we have a perfect balance of experience, youth and performance — each of which has its own advantages and it's up to us to combine all their personalities and characters to try to bring out the best in each of them. Experienced drivers are fundamental in developing a new car like our GMR-001 Hypercar, because they could immediately sense the car’s potential and quickly lead the team in the right direction. Young drivers bring the enthusiasm and optimism that will be needed through the inevitable tough moments of a season. Each influences the other — the young drivers learn from their more experienced teammates, and the experienced drivers are pushed to perform at their peak by the new talent improving with each lap and weekend.”

How did you make the decision about the driver lineups for the two GMR-001 Hypercars for the 2026 season?

“Once we had all our drivers for the 2026 season confirmed, deciding the lineups for the two race cars became the most important decision for Cyril Justin and myself. We wanted the strongest balance of experience and youth in each lineup. So, for example, we have André and Pipo — our most experienced drivers — together with Mathys, who is our only driver who has never raced in the WEC before. In the other car we have a great mix of Hypercar and LMDh knowledge with Mathieu and Paul-Loup, and the endurance racing experience of Dani. We analyzed each driver’s performance in the tests but also listened to the feedback they gave — and how they gave it. We also evaluated which drivers communicated and worked best together outside of the car, which you get to see in the quieter moments during testing and visits to the workshop. Finally, we needed to find the best compromises in terms of drivers’ height and weight, which is important to speed up driver changes during a race and save vital seconds.”

How important has it been to get feedback from drivers with different experiences during the development of Genesis’ first race car?

“It was fundamental because, unlike other manufacturers, we couldn’t rely on existing teams and previous projects, since we were starting from scratch. However, it was important not to waste time, because the period between our first test and first race is so short. We had to choose the right people for the right positions and begin to grow straight away. After each driver’s first laps in the car, I listened to them carefully to grasp the smallest nuances of their relationship with the GMR-001 Hypercar. Each was focused on something slightly different; their emotions and words were varied, but all were aimed at improving performance and taking the next steps forward together.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Nov. 20, 2025 — Genesis is embarking on the next chapter of its journey with its “Luxury High Performance” positioning as the cornerstone of the brand’s evolution over the next 10 years.

Genesis hosted its Magma World Premiere today at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, where it debuted the GV60 Magma — the brand’s first high-performance production model — and the Magma GT Concept, a model that symbolically defines the direction of Genesis’ performance heritage for the next decade. The Magma GT Concept embodies the essence of the brand’s approach to luxury and performance, going beyond sheer speed to reveal a balanced expression of refined luxury and authentic motorsport spirit.

Along with the unveiling, Genesis also revealed its vision to solidify its position as a true luxury brand by embodying the concept of Luxury High Performance, a seamless fusion of refined elegance and superior performance. Together, the GV60 Magma and the Magma GT Concept bring this vision to life, showcasing the dual pillars of production-ready capability and future-focused performance ambition. Building on a decade of success in the global premium car market as an independent marque, this new direction sets the stage for Genesis’ next chapter.

José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Genesis achieved one million global sales faster than any luxury marque in history. Magma represents our declaration that the next ten years will be even more significant. We're not just building high-performance vehicles; we're redefining what a luxury high performance brand can be when Korean innovation meets global ambition."

Genesis' Luxury High Performance Vision

Genesis defines Luxury High Performance as distinct from the conventional approaches to performance centered on horsepower or speed. At its core, this vision blends the true essence of luxury — defined by refined elegance and elevated experiences — with seamless, effortless performance that enhances every aspect of the driving journey.

Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Design Officer and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Magma reveals a new facet of Genesis, one that elevates the brand towards true luxury through performance. It shows how emotion and precision can coexist in perfect harmony, defining a more confident and mature expression of Genesis. Through Magma, we’re injecting adrenaline into the Genesis DNA while preserving the elegance and balance that define true luxury.”

Genesis’ vision for Luxury High Performance builds on the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy by bringing it into the high-performance space. It prioritizes balanced power, finely tuned driving dynamics and seamless harmony between driver and vehicle rather than relying on excessive energy or intensity.

The GV60 Magma is the first production model to bring this new high-performance vision to life, laying the foundation for the forthcoming Magma model.

GV60 Magma: First to Embody Genesis’ High-Performance Innovation and Bold Vision

The GV60 Magma is the first production model of the GV60 Magma concept unveiled last year, officially marking Genesis' entry into the high-performance realm. Genesis' exploration of high-performance innovation — showcased through its GV80 Coupe Concept, X Gran Berlinetta Concept and G80 Magma Special has finally been realized in a production model with the GV60 Magma.

The GV60 Magma serves as a clear representation of the philosophy and core technological vision that will define Genesis’ future Magma lineup.

Genesis Magma is defined by three key attributes:
 

• Design (Unspoken Dominance) – A dynamic yet elegant look achieved through a low, wide stance, embodying both Genesis' signature sophistication and athleticism.
   

• Driving Sensation (Captivating Control) – Precise control of power and vehicle behavior, enabling seamless movement in any driving conditions.
   

• User Experience (Sharpened Immersion) – Intuitive delivery of essential driving information, enhancing focus and creating an immersive driving experience.

Encompassing the Genesis Magma Philosophy Through Design

Design is the most tangible expression of the Genesis Magma philosophy. The GV60 Magma's design emphasizes the presence of “subtle, untapped power,” steering away from overtly ostentatious or aggressive styling.

The front and rear motors generate a combined maximum output of 448 kilowatts (609 ps) and peak torque of 740 Newton-meters. When Boost Mode is activated, the performance rises to 478 kilowatts (650 ps) and 790 Newton-meters, with a top speed of 264 kilometers per hour.

Black high-gloss molding, dark metal accents and streamlined canards elevate the high-performance aesthetic with a focus on a sleek, monochromatic palette.

The car’s side profile emphasizes its low and wide proportions by lowering the overall height by 20 mm and incorporating wide fenders, Magma-exclusive 21-inch forged wheels and 275 mm tires. The side skirts feature three-hole details, mirroring the front design, and are integrated with the breather line to optimize airflow. Glossy black finishes on the window frames and exterior moldings further enhance the streamlined aesthetic while minimizing the use of chrome for a sleek and modern look.

The functional rear wing-type spoiler not only serves as a visual element but also generates downforce. The newly designed rear bumper combines the body color with black accents, while the lower diffuser structure has been engineered to enhance aerodynamic performance.

The interior combines premium materials for a sporty vibe. The seats, door trim and center console are adorned with Chamude, a premium suede-like material. The Magma model's distinct color identity is showcased through orange and gray stitching, quilting details and seat belts. Buttons, switches and emblems feature black high-gloss or dark metal finishes, minimizing reflective glare and contributing to a composed, elegant interior ambience.

The steering wheel is adorned with elements exclusive to Magma, including a distinct rim design, black emblem and orange accents on the drive mode and boost buttons.

Delivering the Highest Level of Driving Performance

The GV60 Magma is positioned among the models that deliver the highest level of performance within Hyundai Motor Group. From a performance perspective, the primary development goal was to achieve a sense of control that precisely aligns with the driver's intent, prioritizing the "perfection of driving control.”

The front and rear motors generate a combined maximum output of 448 kW (609 ps) and peak torque of 740 Nm. When Boost Mode is activated, the performance rises to 478 kW (650 ps) and 790 Nm, with a top speed of 264 km/h.

Notably, the maximum output range of the rear motor has been extended to ensure stable performance even during high-power driving. Additionally, Boost Mode enhances output and torque for approximately 15 seconds, maximizing acceleration responsiveness. This enables the GV60 Magma to accelerate from a standstill to 200 kilometers per hour in just 10.9 seconds with the Launch Control function. Beyond delivering quick initial acceleration, the car also maintains consistent power output at higher speeds.

Launch Control delivers optimal starting torque from a standstill, enabling rapid and responsive acceleration at launch. The GV60 Magma also offers three drive modes: Sprint, GT and My. In My Mode, drivers can customize settings for the electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and other performance parameters.

The suspension system has been optimized by recalibrating the roll center and refining the geometry. It also features Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) and End-of-Travel (EoT) control systems, delivering an ideal balance of cornering stability and ride comfort. Hydro G-Bushings in the front suspension and dual-layer bushings in the rear crossmember effectively minimize vibrations and impacts.

Furthermore, the braking system is upgraded with front monoblock calipers and large-diameter discs, optimized for the 21-inch wheels, and rear brakes featuring GG-rated high-friction materials, enhancing overall braking performance.

Despite riding on wide tires, the GV60 Magma maintains the serene cabin quietness expected of a luxury high-performance car. This is achieved through the combination of Active Noise Control-Road, sound-insulating glass and reinforced door sealing.

A Dedicated Digital Interface

The GV60 Magma is equipped with a dedicated digital interface, sound design and driving feedback system specifically designed to make the driving experience more immersive.

Activating “Magma Mode” transforms the instrument cluster into a 3-circle layout, prominently displaying essential driving data, including motor and battery temperatures, speed and G-force. Additionally, the Head-Up Display provides a simplified view of key information such as speed, regenerative braking levels and remaining boost time.

The infotainment system also supports an array of Magma-exclusive high-performance driving features such as the Virtual Gear Shift System (VGS), Drift Mode, and High-Performance Battery Control (HPBC).

The VGS feature adjusts motor output, torque and regenerative braking to replicate the shifting sensations and driving dynamics of a high-performance internal combustion engine vehicle while simultaneously reproducing the sound of a high-revving engine to deliver an immersive and emotionally engaging driving experience.

When VGS and HPBC are engaged, the cluster also displays performance-oriented metrics — including a performance timer and pedal input levels — delivering key driving data in a clear and intuitive format.

Drift Mode combines power distribution and e-LSD to support rear-wheel-focused driving, while HPBC optimizes battery temperature for peak performance during racing or drag driving.

Magma GT Concept: Forging the Path to Performance Heritage

At the Genesis Magma World Premiere, Genesis also introduced the Magma GT Concept to the world for the first time. Far from being just a show car, this concept serves as a road map for how Genesis plans to establish its performance heritage in the years to come. This aligns with the brand strategy outlined at the recent Hyundai Motor Company’s CEO Investor Day event in New York in September.

At the time, Genesis announced its intention to develop the Magma GT Concept into a performance icon, or halo car. The marque also shared its long-term goal to compete in the GT racing class. 

The Evolution of the Magma Program

During the Magma World Premiere, Genesis showcased past concept vehicles and prototype models that are part of the Magma umbrella, such as the GV80 Coupe Concept, G80 Magma Special, G80 EV Magma Concept, GV60 Magma Concept, G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife, G80 Magma Special Prototype, X Gran Berlinetta Concept, X Gran Racer Concept, X Gran Coupe Concept, G90 Wingback Concept, the GMR-001 Hypercar, and the Magma GT Concept. The showcase underscored that the Magma Program is not a short-term endeavor but a project developed through extensive experimentation and innovation over the years.

Magma is not a program derived from a single model but a high-performance experimental journey, evolving through iterative development of design, driving performance and technological innovation based on concept cars.

The GV80 Coupe Concept, the first model to sport Magma Orange, was recognized for redefining and pushing the boundaries of conventional luxury design.

The G80 Magma Special was realized through joint development with high-performance partners, while the X Gran Berlinetta Concept stands as a prime example of Genesis' direction for high-performance design.

At the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K., the GV60 Magma Concept participated in the Sunday Shootout, achieving a remarkable class win in the “4-Seater Production Car” category. The model completed the 1.86-kilometer course in just 52.72 seconds, heightening anticipation for its production viability and technological sophistication.

Through these stages, the GV60 Magma was able to incorporate the design direction and driving technologies refined during the experimental phase, serving as a benchmark for the future expansion of the Magma Program.

Starting with the Korean market at the start of the year, the GV60 Magma will be introduced to European and N. American markets in 2026, bringing Luxury High Performance to drivers across the globe.

MAGNY-COURS, France, Nov. 18, 2025 — Fresh from her race-winning season in the European Le Mans Series, Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program driver Jamie Chadwick took another step in her journey with the team last month at Circuit Magny-Cours, as she completed her first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

Hypercar Test Continues Rapid Progression with Genesis Magma Racing 

Jamie’s first laps, which took place during a three-day development test at the French circuit, were the latest step in an intense 10 months since she was named as part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program in December 2024. With the team, she has completed her first full season in Prototype Racing, winning three ELMS races alongside Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella and finishing third in the LMP2 class championship. 

She joined her ELMS teammates — who will be part of Genesis Magma Racing’s driver lineup for the FIA World Endurance Championship next year — as well as André Lotterer and Pipo Derani at the test. After a short initial stint running wet tires on a drying track, she returned the following day for a longer run in the GMR-001 Hypercar in fully dry conditions. 

Chadwick said: “My first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar were amazing. It’s a really impressive car and so fast in a straight line. There’s a lot of different systems available to you as a driver, tools that you can use to make a difference. Obviously, so much is changing and evolving with every test that the team does. But it’s just a super car to drive, but also just a great team to be part of.” 

In joining the test, she became only the second woman to drive a Hypercar class WEC challenger, placing her again among an elite group of female racers in the upper reaches of the sport. 

“I think it said everything when I saw her face the first time she jumped out of the car,” said Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini. “She was very, very happy. I think she enjoyed the laps at Magny-Cours, even if it was just a short test.” 

First Laps Prepare Chadwick for Reserve Driver and Car Development Role 

Her time in the car heralded the beginning of the next stage of Jamie’s personal trajectory with Genesis Magma Racing. Through the final part of 2025 and during the 2026 season she will take on more responsibility for development work within the team, working in on-track and simulator sessions driving the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

Jamie will also become Genesis Magma Racing’s Reserve Driver for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season alongside her own racing program, which will be confirmed at a later date. 

Tarquini said: “It's always very good to have feedback from a new driver who doesn’t know the car at all. Jamie has had a fantastic season with our Trajectory Program in the European Le Mans Series. As a development driver for the GMR-001 Hypercar, she will be a vital part of our team for the future in helping us prepare for events and make the progression we will need during our first season.” 

“It's hugely special to be involved in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar,” said Chadwick. “It's another progression in my career and one I'm really proud of. Becoming a Reserve Driver in Hypercar is one step closer to my ultimate goal. The opportunity to test and drive more is something that I'm really looking forward to and a role that I'm going to try to relish and make the most of.” 

She added: “The development role can also be a huge help to my racing. Obviously, Hypercar is a step up in terms of everything that you're learning, but you can still take that back to other categories and series just from the constant testing and working with the engineers.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Oct. 30, 2025 — Since being announced as part of Genesis Magma Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie has taken a central role in preparing the team for their FIA World Endurance Championship. During the packed development schedule for the GMR-001 Hypercar, she has simultaneously supported organizing the tests and helped to build the team and operational procedures, taking her experience from her work with the FIA and customer racing teams.

What is a Team Manager responsible for in a motorsport team?

“At the moment, the definition of a Team Manager really depends on how each team interprets the role. At Genesis Magma Racing, my job is to build and manage the team, oversee the budget and plan operations. I like to say that I’m here to support my people — to give them clear direction and objectives. On the racing side, you’re like the control tower, ensuring everyone follows the regulations and internal policies while keeping the group calm and focused. And as we like to say in this job, you’re often ‘playing the fireman’ — managing crises as they come.”

You arrived at Genesis Magma Racing with experience working with the FIA and customer GT teams. What can you bring from these roles to Genesis Magma Racing?

“Definitely politics — I’m still learning to be politically correct while staying true to myself. Working with the FIA gave me a broad understanding of long-term vision; they must think ahead because they’re responsible for most of the global motorsport ecosystem. From my GT customer experience, I learned how crucial it is to manage budgets carefully while meeting client expectations. They used to call me ‘T-Rex’ — not because of my temper, but because I had ‘short arms’ when it came to spending money!”

What skills does it take to be a good Team Manager in motorsport, and particular in the FIA World Endurance Championship?

“It’s hard to summarize — you can list all the theoretical skills, but there’s no perfect formula. It’s about finding a balance between being firm and being empathetic, but above all, being fair and respectful to your team. When you ask them to give more, you need to lead by example, which isn’t always easy because at the end of the day, you’re human too.”

Successful teamwork is critical to success in endurance racing. How can a Team Manager help build the spirit and processes to bring the team together?

“Communication — it’s the key to any successful team. You must face problems openly and find solutions together. You need to stay alert to what’s happening inside the team and push everyone to keep improving. The team must understand we’re all in the same boat, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the group united. If someone struggles, we don’t give up on them, we support and bring them back on track. It’s like in the army — we need to move as one.”

Genesis Magma Racing is a team being built from scratch this year – what have been the main challenges you have faced while preparing the team for competition?

“Starting from scratch is incredible — exciting, challenging and exhausting — it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. The biggest challenge is finding people who can truly work together and making the right staffing choices. In our case, we hired both highly experienced Hypercar and WEC professionals, and a younger generation with endurance experience. This mix ensures continuity — knowledge can be passed down just like in a football team; you don’t need only superstars, but strong, determined people who complement one another.”

What has been your role during the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar, and how will this change with the start of the team’s first season of racing?

“Fortunately, I wasn’t involved in the technical side — otherwise, the car might still be in the garage! At the start, our team was small, so I covered many operational roles: managing logistics with support from our WRC colleagues from Hyundai Motorsport, organizing mechanic schedules while waiting for our crew chief to arrive, and coordinating workshop implementation. Setting up these foundations was crucial to ensure that, once the entire group is in place, everything runs smoothly and each department can operate efficiently from day one.”

You are one of a still relatively small number of women at the top level of motorsport. How important is that position to you?

“If I’ve made it here, it means anyone who truly wants it can too. When I started in motorsport in 2014, there were far fewer women than today, so the growth we see now is really positive. For me, it’s essential to show that you don’t need to change who you are to succeed — you don’t have to act like a man. Just do your job and do it well.”

How can you promote women in motorsport from your role with Genesis Magma Racing?

“I love sharing my experience — if it can help others, I’m always happy to do so. At Genesis Magma Racing, we actively encourage female candidates to apply. Once the team structure is complete, we plan to collaborate with the Korean national federation and the FIA to develop initiatives supporting women in motorsport. Beyond the sport, I stay connected with my university and speak at student conferences each year to spread awareness more widely. Genesis Magma Racing is also launching a social project aimed at opening doors for people around the world.”

As Genesis prepares for the anticipated launch of its first Magma production model, the GV60 Magma, Donckerwolke shares a story that blends innovation, heritage and an evolving definition of a luxury automotive brand.

The Genesis of Magma

For Genesis, the road to Magma was years in the making.

According to Donckerwolke, Magma was born out of a desire to explore new emotionally resonant dimensions within Genesis’ lineup. It started as a test to determine if there was room for a more “emotional Genesis,” one with an “alter ego.”

That idea took shape through the GV80 Coupe Concept in New York in 2023, a project that pushed the boundaries of traditional luxury.

This exploration continued with limited-production projects such as the G80-based edition in Dubai, but the GV60 proved to be the perfect model to officially launch Magma.

“We start with a bundle of energy, which is the GV60. It’s also the youngest product we have in the brand,” Donckerwolke said. “So, it makes sense to start with this one, and then to mature the Magma lineup with different typologies of vehicles.”

This choice wasn’t about convenience. It was about establishing a deeper philosophy and process.

“Magma is always the best of the best of Genesis models,” he said. “It’s the superhero of Genesis; a bionic cocktail between the values of the original model, the donor vehicle and this extra facet.”

Defining Luxury High-Performance

Magma’s approach to high-performance luxury is distinctly nuanced. Unlike most performance models on the market that aim for aggressive, hardcore performance, Magma is defined by balance. Donckerwolke describes it as “rewarding, not challenging.” Instead of feeling like a car that requires its drivers to prove their skill, Magma is designed to complement and enhance its driver’s abilities, making the experience of performance driving feel seamless and empowering.

“It’s coming to a point where you feel you’re surprised by your abilities to drive fast or to drive sporty,” Donckerwolke said. “You have the adrenaline, but at the same time, it’s not challenging you by making you question your abilities,” he explained.

This philosophy is evident in Magma’s design DNA, which aligns with Genesis’ signature principle of “Athletic Elegance.” Here, form doesn’t just follow function.

“It’s a synchronization of form and function,” Donckerwolke said. “Its design should never be overpowering the appearance of the car. It should always be a balance.”

One of the standout features is Magma’s bold orange exterior, a visual statement that reinforces its dynamic character. The fiery hue serves as a symbol of Magma’s extroverted energy and identity, referencing Korea’s volcanic landscape and the unseen molten rock beneath.

A Decade in the Making

While Magma may feel like a natural progression for Genesis, Donckerwolke emphasizes that its introduction was carefully timed. Genesis, now approaching its 10th anniversary, has spent the better part of a short decade solidifying its place as a global luxury brand.

“We are basically doing a hundred years in ten,” he said.

Launching a high-performance model any earlier, Donckerwolke believes, would have been premature.

This patient approach has also allowed Genesis to differentiate itself from performance-based car brands, which embrace a more extroverted, aggressive identity, Genesis Magma offers a more refined and sophisticated take on performance luxury.

“It’s a natural evolution for Genesis,” Donckerwolke said. “Magma injects adrenaline into the brand while staying true to its luxury roots.”

Ultimate Proving Ground

The connection between Genesis Magma Racing and the development of future Genesis Magma production vehicles represents a strategic symbiosis that extends far beyond marketing appeal.

“The DNA of Genesis Magma Racing influences Magma,” said Donckerwolke. “It goes both ways. Magma is also allowing to curate and improve the DNA of Genesis. High performance has some constraints, which allow to make every single Genesis better.”

A racing environment provides unparalleled opportunities for technological advancement. Motorsports is the toughest testing environment you can find in the auto world. The high speeds, aerodynamics, cooling strategies and durability enough to last 24 hours together create a crucible that Genesis can use to further enhance its other models.

This was a core driver in Genesis’ ambitious and fast-paced foray into endurance racing through Genesis Magma Racing, which represents a calculated investment in the brand’s technological future.

“Hyperspeed is linked to the decision making,” Donckerwolke said. “We had this decision in September, and now we are exactly 12 months after that, and we have a car, and we have a team.”  Koreans describe their culture as a fast-paced type of living, or “bbali-bbali” life. “For me,” Donckerwolke said, “this is hyper-bbali-bbali.”

And already the technical innovations emerging from the GMR-001 Hypercar program are influencing the development of production Magma vehicles. The racing program has accelerated development of cutting-edge technologies specifically designed for Genesis models. These new technologies are anticipated to increase agility and performance throughout the Magma lineup in the future.

This approach exemplifies how Genesis leverages motorsport development to advance its production vehicle technologies. The racing program serves as an accelerated development platform where new propulsion systems and performance technologies can be tested under extreme conditions before being adapted for consumer applications. This continuous development cycle is essential for maintaining Genesis’ competitive edge.

A Distinctly Korean Identity

While Magma represents Genesis’ foray into a global high-performance market, its DNA remains rooted in Korean culture. For Donckerwolke, this cultural influence is one of the brand’s most defining characteristics.

“In Korea, customer care, customer satisfaction, is almost in the DNA of the culture,” he said.

This focus on customer experience is reflected in Magma’s philosophy, which prioritizes balance and sophistication over extremity.

“This is why Magma is not a hardcore sub-brand but is actually the best of the best of Genesis,” Donckerwolke said. “It modulates and increases some of the facets of the car without taking the car out of balance. It’s an iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Magma is a higher trim level within the Genesis lineup, proudly carrying the same Genesis badge as the marque’s other models. Unlike traditional sub-brands that are often track-focused and built to push the driver to their limits, the Magma trim is designed to elevate the driving experience by emphasizing comfort, precision, and ease — all while maintaining the versatility of an everyday sports car. Magma redefines luxury high-performance by combining dynamic capability with the refinement, sophistication, and emotional resonance that are hallmarks of the Genesis brand.

The Road Ahead

As Genesis continues to expand its portfolio, Magma is poised to play a pivotal role. Donckerwolke envisions Magma as a key piece of the larger Genesis puzzle, filling in gaps and gradually elevating the entire lineup.

“Magma is about us being able to fulfill customer wishes for individuality and emotionally resonant experiences, while increasing the overall quality of the Genesis brand,” he said. “It’s completing the whole Genesis picture.”

In just 10 years, Genesis has achieved what many brands take decades to accomplish. With Magma, it’s not only redefining luxury high-performance but also positioning itself as a global innovator.

Donckerwolke said, “And with Magma leading the charge, the future for Genesis is limitless.”

SEOUL, Sept. 30, 2025 — Genesis today announced that the GV60 Magma, set to become the brand’s first-ever high-performance model, has undergone the last stages of an extensive series of evaluations across some of the world’s most demanding environments, finalizing preparations for its upcoming debut.

Designed to open a new chapter in luxury high-performance, the GV60 Magma has undergone rigorous testing to perfect its driving dynamics and deliver both exhilarating performance and refined comfort.

Proven in Extreme Conditions Worldwide

Beginning earlier this year in Arjeplog, Sweden, the GV60 Magma faced formidable winter conditions before continuing through the searing heat of California, the high-altitude mountain ranges of New Zealand, and the diverse roadways of Spain.

At the California Proving Ground in the U.S., the GV60 Magma was pushed through extreme heat to validate power output, cooling efficiency, and thermal protection. 

In contrast, at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground in New Zealand, the vehicle faced sub-zero conditions at 1,500 meters above sea level, where engineers examined chassis precision, traction stability, braking robustness, and agile cornering on icy, wind-swept terrain.

These evaluations ensured the GV60 Magma delivers unwavering stability at high speeds and uncompromised ride comfort in any condition.

In September, Genesis engineers conducted the final stages of real-world assessments in Korea, driving from the Namyang R&D Center to Chuncheon and completing intensive laps at Inje Speedium Circuit.

These tests validated the GV60 Magma’s ability to balance powerful acceleration and handling precision with the refined comfort expected of a Genesis model.

Highways, mountainous terrain roads, congested urban streets, and racetrack environments were all incorporated to ensure the vehicle can seamlessly adapt to diverse driving conditions.

Hyundai Motor Group has long upheld a rigorous global testing standard, ensuring every vehicle meets the highest levels of quality, durability, and performance. From the Namyang R&D Center in Korea to the California Proving Ground in the U.S. and the Nürburgring in Germany, the Group leverages several world-class facilities worldwide to validate and refine its vehicles under the most demanding conditions.

A New Era of High-Performance Luxury

Set to be unveiled later this year, the GV60 Magma represents a pivotal milestone for Genesis as the brand marks its 10th anniversary. As Genesis’ first high-performance EV, the model combines a decade of innovation and luxury philosophy with cutting-edge performance engineering to deliver a truly distinctive driving experience.

LE CASTELLET, France, Sept. 18, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing has signed Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella to join the driver lineup for the team’s debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026. The pair will make their Hypercar class debut in the Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001, joining André Lotterer and Luis Felipe “Pipo” Derani, already confirmed as the first two drivers for the team. 

Drivers’ Promotion Shows Value of Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program 

French driver Jaubert and Spaniard Juncadella are currently part of the lineup in the IDEC Sport-run, Genesis Magma Racing-supported LMP2 team in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) together with fellow Trajectory Program driver, Briton Jamie Chadwick. 

The decision to promote the two drivers after less than a season of Prototype racing was made taking into consideration how quickly both drivers have adapted to, and overcome, the challenges presented in the ELMS. 

They made an immediate impression in their Prototype racing debuts, winning their class as the season-opener in Barcelona, before scoring an outright victory at Le Castellet. In their most recent victory, last weekend at Silverstone, both Jaubert and Juncadella showed excellent awareness of the race situation in constantly changing conditions, as well as the strong pace needed to take victory. Following the win, they sit second in the ELMS championship, six points behind with just one round remaining. 

Jaubert was also part of the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he set the fastest race lap for the #18 car. Their progression into the WEC lineup is another example of the rapid decision-making of the “hyperspeed” culture at the core of Genesis Magma Racing. 

“The target for the Trajectory Program was always to support drivers and give them the opportunity to prove they could step up to our WEC lineup,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “That we are already in a position where we can bring Mathys and Dani in for 2026 is a massive credit to them.” 

Abiteboul continued: “Together with Jamie Chadwick, Mathys and Dani have adapted brilliantly to Prototype racing, as their performances since the first race of the ELMS season show. More importantly, they improved during the season, learning from each weekend, something which we expect to continue with their arrival in Hypercar. We took some risks to look outside of Prototype racing for our Trajectory Program drivers. It is another risk to bring them into our WEC lineup for 2026, but risks can bring rewards as we’ve seen. In Mathys and Dani we have two drivers who are new to Hypercar that have the opportunity to show their abilities and create some surprises, just as they have in LMP2.” 

“We’ve been closely following the performance of Mathys and Dani in the ELMS this season,” said Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director. “They’ve done a very good job all season, constantly improving and adapting to the challenges of the series. Their relative lack of experience in Prototype racing will be balanced by the other four drivers in our lineup to give us a great mix of experience, and new drivers to Hypercar who are hungry and motivated to win.” 

Jamie Chadwick remains part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. Full details of her plans for 2026 will be announced at a later date. 

New Additions Set to Join Upcoming GMR-001 Tests 

“It’s been my goal for the last couple of years to step up to the Hypercar class,” said Juncadella. “I’ve been racing for the last two years in WEC in the LMGT3 class, so it fits well for me to step up in a championship that I know very well. It’s perfect as well to do it with Genesis Magma Racing, to be starting from scratch with brand that will hopefully be in the championship for many years.” 

Both Jaubert and Juncadella will get their first chance to drive the GMR-001 Hypercar at upcoming tests to begin to gain experience and shape the development of the car, working with their new team-mates André Lotterer and Luis Felipe Pipo Derani. 

“I’m really excited to be joining the Genesis Magma Racing WEC lineup,” said Jaubert. “For me, it’s a big step in my career and a chance to measure myself against the best in the world. The Trajectory Program and my experience in ELMS have been invaluable, not only in learning the technical side and managing long stints, but also in understanding the teamwork and consistency needed at this level. In the WEC this is even more important, so it’s great to immediately start working with the team at the tests.” 

Juncadella said: “The testing we will do this year will be my first real steps in Hypercar. It was cool to see the car for the first time and do the seat fitting, but I’m really looking forward to jumping behind the wheel for the first time and starting to work with the team, André and Pipo to be ready for the first rounds. Qatar will be a big event for us, as the first time Genesis Magma Racing will compete in WEC. Le Mans is always a highlight of the year – I’ve done it twice already, but being in the top class will be really special.” 

“Competing in WEC has always been a dream, and I can’t wait to take on the challenge and contribute to the team’s success,” Jaubert concluded. 

“Now that Mathys and Dani have been confirmed in our driver lineup for 2026 we can really start working on building the team, as well as developing the GMR-001,” explained Tarquini. “How the drivers work together will be critical to our success, so to start this process so early in the testing process is a big positive for us and the drivers to be ready for next year.” 

Further details of Genesis Magma Racing’s driver lineup for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship will be announced during the coming months. 

* season in progress 
 

LE CASTELLET, France, Sept. 14, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert, along with Dani Juncadella, scored a third win of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), taking their IDEC Sport-run #18 LMP2 car to the overall victory at Silverstone. The victory also reinvigorated their championship challenge, leaving them second in the points’ standings with one round remaining. 

Return to the Podium Proves Lessons Learned

The victory was the team’s first visit to the podium since their win at Le Castellet in early May. Since then, the drivers have been frustrated by mistakes and strategy miscues, often in changeable weather similar to the second half of the race at Silverstone.

Taking the lessons learned from the events at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, the team executed an intelligent strategy. From the start, as her opening stint was interrupted twice by red flags following accidents, Jamie Chadwick showed great awareness, recognizing the opportunity to use strategy to move up from the bottom of the top ten, where she handed the car over to teammate Jaubert.

Similarly, as conditions worsened during the closing stages of Jaubert’s time in the car – taking the middle stint for the team for the first time this season – the 20-year-old Frenchman began thinking about strategy choices to improve the team’s positions. As he moved through the order, including watching a rival spin out on the greasy track ahead, he made the decisive call from sixth place to pit for full wet-weather tires.

Perfectly Timed Pit Stop Opens Way to Important Victory

The stop, where Dani Juncadella took over driving duties for the final portion of the race, made the IDEC Sport squad among the first to change to treaded tires. However, as other teams made their own stops after extra laps searching for absent grip from slick tires, Juncadella took the lead with a margin of nearly 20 seconds.

The gap allowed the Spaniard to save both fuel and tires during a brief respite from the rain. This proved critical. Despite losing time on track, he was able to hold onto the lead after a final pit stop and then had more life in his tires remaining for the final laps as heavy rain soaked the circuit before the final red flag ended the race with nine minutes remaining.

The result completed a remarkable trifecta for the team. Having won the LMP2 class in Juncadella’s home city of Barcelona, and overall at Jaubert’s home track at Le Castellet, success at the Northamptonshire track gave Chadwick victory in her first professional race on home soil since 2022.

The victory lifted the three drivers and team in second place in the ELMS standings. They are just six points in arrears with only the season finale at the 4 Hours of Portimão remaining on the calendar.  

Post Race Quotes – #18 IDEC Sport ORECA 07

Jamie Chadwick said: “My stint was not the smoothest since we had the early Virtual Safety Car, where we tried to get a pit stop out of the way early, which I think was good but left me a bit out of position, so I had to make some moves, which was fun. I knew that we were off-strategy, so I was also thinking if we could save some fuel to try to get into a window. It was a great opportunity to capitalize on, so I was wondering what we want to do, but also because it's cold, you also want to warm brakes and tires and those two things don't really go hand in hand. We made the right call to manage the race and get Mathys in the car for when the race really kicked off. It’s very special to win at home. I love this track. I feel like it's a place that I have a lot of happy memories of and I added to those memories this weekend. Now we’re looking forward to the last race.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “Since I was racing in karting, I have always liked the kind of conditions with a bit of rain, but staying on slick tires. The conditions were stable – it was raining slightly the whole stint, it was only in the last three or four laps where it was a bit tricky. I saw a car in front spin and I said ‘OK, maybe calm the driving a bit’. I talked to the team, saying that they needed to prepare wet tires and then we stopped at the perfect timing. I’ve learned it is very important to be decisive at these moments. I knew that we had to take the risk. I think were a bit off in terms of pace this weekend, and we were in all the traffic with the other LMP2 cars. So we took the risk and it paid off to give Dani the lead and to take the win.”

Daniel Juncadella said: “I obviously had a very tricky stint. The track was very slippery, especially at the very end when it was really undrivable. But until that point I had a lot of fun. I think the car was incredibly good in these conditions. The team did a great job to put ourselves in position to win again. It was an amazing call by our Race Engineer and an amazing job by my teammates. Who could ever think that they are two rookies to endurance racing and they've not done a single mistake all year. It was great to be in the position today to show my ability in the wet, which are conditions I really enjoy and great to win another race. I knew I had a 15 second gap in the beginning when the track was drying out, so I was hoping I could keep the lead between 10 and 5 seconds at least for the last pit, and I think that paid off because towards the end when it started raining I had a bit better grip than my rival when the conditions were the most difficult.”

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “The victory of Jamie, Mathys and Dani at Silverstone, and all the decisions and strategy shows how much they have progressed from the start of the season. The race was very difficult – from the start with the Virtual Safety Car and red flags when Jamie was driving, and then the changing conditions for Mathys and Dani later in the race. It was a whole team effort. Jamie managed her stint well, then Mathys made the decisive call to be one of the first to change to wets, which set up Dani perfectly to show his additional endurance racing experience to manage the lead, his fuel and tires and stay calm when the heavy rains came to hold on to the end. When we started this season with the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program, we never aimed, we never expected to be challenging for the ELMS title. However, now that has to be our target for the final round. It would be the perfect way to end the season and for us to be ready to take the next step with the GMR-001 into the FIA World Endurance Championship.”

2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Drivers’ Championship
After Round 5:

2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams’ Championship
After Round 5:

LE CASTELLET, France, Sept. 9, 2025 — The first tests of the GMR-001 Hypercar signaled the start of the next key phase in Genesis Magma Racing’s preparations to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026. Following the five days of testing at Circuit Paul Ricard, François-Xavier Demaison (better-known as FX), Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director, and Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer speak about the test, providing details on the focus and results from the first tests, and plans for the next steps in the development process.

What was the difference between the shakedown and the first tests?

Justin Taylor: “In the shakedowns we were running the GMR-001 Hypercar on small circuits, simply validating that each system was working correctly and that all the pipes and wires went to the right places and that there were no clashes. At the first full tests we could start learning what is different from the bench tests we have done, and begin tuning the different systems to work together as one when the car is running on a proper race track.”

What has been the focus of the first tests?

Justin Taylor: “One of the biggest areas of focus can be summed up with the word ‘synchronization’. This specification of cars have several systems that must work in sync to have good performance and reliability. It takes some time and effort to get everything following the same beat. However, this is something that must be done before we can move on to the next stages of testing, so it was important that we took the time to focus on the software in the first tests to lay the foundations for the entire development process.”

How have Genesis Magma Racing engineers brought together the data from engine dyno testing and simulator work to support the first on-track tests with the GMR-001 Hypercar?

FX Demaison: “The months of work by the Powertrain Department on the dyno, and the sessions on the simulator provided the calibration values we started the test with, but then the data we gained from test gets fed back to inform the next bench tests and sim sessions. The feedback loop and relationship between on-track running we do on, and the work on the engine dynos and in the simulator is a never-ending process. Even once we have finished this first development phase and have started to compete in WEC races, the loop of on-track findings being fed into the off-track work will continue.”

Why was it chosen to complete the first tests at Circuit Paul Ricard?

Justin Taylor: “Circuit Paul Ricard is a relatively safe place to take a new car and push the limits, due to the size of the runoff areas. Plus, it is very close to Genesis Magma Racing’s new race base and the ORECA factory where the chassis was built, so it puts less pressure on the logistical side of a new project, when there is a lot of other work to do.”

How have Genesis Magma Racing and ORECA been working together during this first phase of testing? 

FX Demaison: “The decision to start the testing at Circuit Paul Ricard was a deliberate choice to be close to the ORECA workshop, as well as our own base, to make communication as easy as possible and make sure we could work easily between the two tests with as little wasted time as possible. For the first tests, ORECA provided specialist engineers and the car mechanics, but the control of the chassis and powertrain engineering, and the test plan were fully the responsibility of Genesis Magma Racing.”

What feedback have you received from the drivers about the car?

Justin Taylor: “One of the things that André and Pipo have raised a few times is how natural the car feels. Despite all of the electronics and intelligence onboard, the car is driving and responding like a normal racecar, not a spacecraft. We’ve also had some feedback on the handling balance of the car, which I wasn’t expecting so early in the development, so we’ve been able to make some small aerodynamic changes between runs to see how they affect the car.”

What are the major things the team have learned after the first tests?

FX Demaison: “We made the progress we needed to with the powertrain and chassis software, but finding the right maps for these will be an on-going process throughout testing. We have to balance a lot of aspects – firstly all the systems need to work well with one another – the ‘synchronization’ Justin mentioned before. Secondly, we need to make sure the car consistently operates within the window we need and thirdly we need to have something that all the drivers are comfortable with and can always get the maximum performance of the car for a full stint.”

What are the next stages for the development work on the car – both on track, and in the workshop?

FX Demaison: “We still have a lot of work to do. We need to continue optimizing the powertrain and chassis software and finalize our choice of brake materials. We have some endurance tests planned, where we can simulate a 24-hour race to build the reliability that we need, as well as work on the light set-up required for visibility during the night. We obviously need to keep working on the aerodynamic balance of the car, to find something that works for all the drivers we will have for the 2026 season.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Sept. 1, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing has completed its first full tests with the GMR-001 Hypercar (GMR-001). The car completed more than 500 laps at Circuit Paul Ricard over five days of testing in late August to start the exhaustive development schedule to prepare for the team’s debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026.

First Running Concentrates on Confirming Major Systems

The focus of the tests was calibrating the GMR-001’s major mechanical and electrical systems. The drivers concentrated their feedback on the behavior of the car when running different configurations of software controlling the power delivered by the car’s 3.2-liter twin-turbo V-8.

“We had a program that we were able to follow, so that's very promising for the whole team,” said Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director FX Demaison. “At the moment, we’re purely focused on software, especially on the powertrain. It’s a hybrid car with many features that we need to manage properly.”

Beginning the first testing phase at Circuit Paul Ricard allowed the Genesis Magma Racing engineers to work together closely with chassis builder ORECA, taking full advantage of the track’s proximity to both the team’s race base and the workshop where the GMR-001 was built.

While the car’s systems remained the primary goal throughout the test, the team could also start to work on the handling balance of the car, assessing its behavior after each adjustment.

“We're getting to the point already where we are talking about the performance of the car, which I didn't honestly expect to be doing,” admitted Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor. “The drivers are giving us the feedback we need on all the systems and on the side, they're already looking at how to make the GMR-001 fast.”

Drivers Take Positive First Impressions from Test Running

The tests were the first opportunity for the team and drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani to assess the car on race tires and at a circuit that was far more representative of WEC venues than the small facilities used for the initial running.

“On our first shakedowns, there were just baby steps to see that the car could move under its own power, could shift its own gears,” said Taylor. “Now we've been trying to push more towards being a real race car.”

“We had some driving on the smaller tracks, but you can't really push there,” said Lotterer. “The GMR-001 is obviously well born — the feedback is very natural, instinctive and it's fun to drive, but we are still working on everything.”

“It’s always an unknown when you jump into a new car,” added Derani. “You have high expectations, but with the GMR-001 we have a good base to start working from.”

Genesis Magma Racing Engineers Tackle Minor Issues at Circuit and Workshop

After initial short runs, the team was able to begin completing longer runs as early as the first morning of the test. As expected at any first test, minor issues were identified by the team. “It's a new car and new engine,” explained Demaison. “It's normal to have issues, but we have a good team of engineers to solve them as quickly as possible.”

He added, “This is why you go testing. We're here to see as many problems as possible and to be able to fix them as quickly as possible.”

The break between test days gave the team’s engineers time to work with their ORECA counterparts on solutions away from track, before confirming them on their return to the circuit. The testing and development work with the GMR-001 will continue over the coming months, with the next phases of work aiming to ensure the car’s reliability over a race distance, maximize performance, and confirm Genesis Magma Racing’s operational structure at the circuit.

Genesis Magma Racing has kicked off an all-out push with its sights set on entering the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year. The program began with the unveiling of the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar and its V-8 engine, followed by a full team structure and talent acquisition. Now, with hard-earned race mileage already under its belt, Genesis is preparing to prove itself against the world’s strongest endurance competitors.

Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) has been moving full throttle toward its 2026 WEC debut. The team has revealed the Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh)-spec GMR-001 Hypercar and its brand-new V-8 engine, while driver and crew training is progressing under the Genesis Trajectory Program. Partnering with French outfit IDEC Sport, Genesis has entered the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), giving its drivers and engineers an intense baptism of fire. The campaign has already delivered a class win in Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) at the season opener, overall victory in Round 2 at Barcelona, and valuable lessons at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The GMR-001 Hypercar: Development at Full Speed

Genesis made WEC ambitions official last year, and by April 2024 a full-scale GMR-001 was on display at the New York International Auto Show. More recently, a video of the V-8 engine firing up in its chassis grabbed headlines worldwide.

Development of the dedicated V-8 began in June 2023 and hit its first milestone in February 2024, when the engine roared to life in Alzenau, Germany. On July 9, it was installed into the ORECA-built chassis at Le Castellet, France, marking the first complete GMR-001 prototype.

Hypercar engines typically come in V-6 or V-8 turbocharged layouts. Genesis based its new V-8 twin-turbo on Hyundai Motorsport’s proven 1.6-liter inline-four turbo engine from World Rally Championship (WRC), sharing around 60 percent of the components. Per LMDh regulations, the GMR-001 combines an ORECA chassis, an Xtrac gearbox, a Bosch MGU and a Williams Advanced Engineering battery pack.

Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison explained: "With the time we had available to develop the engine, we immediately knew we did not have enough time to completely design a new engine from scratch. For the main part of an engine, you need a long time to design, validate and, of course, to produce. Every part needs to be tested over many kilometers, and the inline-four engine from our World Rally Championship car has already been well proven. It became the logical step to carry over as many parts as possible from the four-cylinder engine."

Development has since accelerated. The first completed GMR-001 chassis was moved to GMR’s new Race Base facility at Le Castellet where it underwent its initial shakedown in bare carbon trim. Lead drivers André Lotterer and Luís “Pipo” Derani have already completed simulator sessions and baseline setup work ahead of full-scale testing.

With its chassis, V-8, hybrid system and gearbox now united, the GMR-001 will embark on a grueling test program across Europe, targeting its competitive debut in the 2026 WEC season. Engineers and mechanics will pore over data while drivers verify setups in the simulator, steadily sharpening the car into a race-ready weapon.

"We are at a time where we seem to be passing milestones every day, but this is exactly what we must be doing,” said GMR Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “After planning for and talking about these moments for the last eight months, to be able to see a finished car running exactly as we planned is incredibly exciting.”

The GMR-001 Hypercar has now moved beyond design and build, entering the critical phase of proving durability and performance in real-world conditions. Genesis is turning every step into a chance to accelerate development, laying the groundwork for its first attack on the world stage of endurance racing.

Entering the Arena of LMDh

The LMDh formula — short for Le Mans Daytona hybrid — was born from International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with technical regulations aligned with the WEC to allow crossover competition. While Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) manufacturers must design every element independently, LMDh was created for cost efficiency. Entrants select one of four chassis suppliers (ORECA, Dallara, Multimatic or Ligier) and pair it with a spec hybrid system: a Williams battery, a Bosch MGU and an Xtrac gearbox. Unlike LMH cars, which can temporarily run all-wheel drive, LMDh machines channel both engine and hybrid power solely to the rear axle.

Although LMH cars may hold a slight performance edge, LMDh offers clear advantages: lower costs and faster development timelines.

Importantly, LMDh also offers a major marketing advantage in the U.S., a crucial market for premium brands. Cadillac, Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini and Acura are already in. Even Alpine — without a U.S. sales presence — has committed, while Ford and McLaren are preparing LMDh entries for 2027.

Building the Team: The Genesis Trajectory Program

Developing the car is only half the battle; building the team is equally critical. Genesis organized GMR in Le Castellet, specifically at a test track adjacent to the Circuit Paul Ricard, rather than Hyundai Motorsport’s rally base in Alzenau, Germany.

To accelerate experience, Genesis partnered with endurance veteran IDEC Sport, launching the Genesis Trajectory Program.

Collaborations between automakers and racing teams are nothing unusual in motorsport. Specialist outfits born and bred on the circuit bring deep racing expertise, offering wide-ranging and detailed support from car development to team operations. For manufacturers, running a permanent in-house racing team can be a heavy burden, so they often partner with these experts to gain access to skilled personnel, facilities and hard-earned know-how.

The same applies to teams currently competing in the WEC. Endurance racing legends like Porsche are partnered with America’s powerhouse Penske, Aston Martin is aligned with Heart of Racing, BMW M relies on Belgium’s Team WRT, and Ferrari leans on AF Corse for its campaigns.

Founded in 2015 by Patrice Lafargue, IDEC Sport claimed the 2019 ELMS title and competes in LMP2, LMP3 and Michelin Le Mans Cup. Former Peugeot factory driver Nicolas Minassian serves as Sporting Director.

For this season, IDEC’s #18 LMP2 car has been repainted in GMR’s signature magma-orange livery, serving as a rolling testbed for Genesis drivers, engineers and mechanics.

The driver lineup is taking shape. Three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer and Brazilian ace Pipo Derani anchor the squad. Supporting them are Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella. Endurance racing requires at least three drivers per car, so six or more drivers are needed across two cars. Rotation is common as drivers juggle commitments in multiple series.

Jamie Chadwick is a British driver who became the youngest-ever champion of the GT4 class in the British GT Championship at just 16 in 2015. She went on to win the inaugural W Series title in 2019 and has since notched a victory and two podiums in Indy NXT.

Mathys Jaubert, just 20 years old, is the youngest driver on the team. He finished runner-up in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup France and first sampled LMP2 machinery during the ELMS rookie test at Portimão in 2023, marking him as a promising newcomer to endurance racing.

Daniel Juncadella is a seasoned 34-year-old Spaniard with experience across multiple categories. Starting in Master Junior Formula, he progressed through Formula BMW, GP3, European F3, and even tested as a young driver in F1 before serving as a reserve for Force India. Most recently, he claimed LMGT3 class victory in the 1,812 km WEC season-opener at Qatar with TF Sport.

Genesis has also adopted an advanced driving simulator from U.K.-based Dynisma. The high-end simulator is sophisticated enough to be used in Formula 1, delivering a near-real driving experience. It will be invaluable not only for collecting development data on the new hypercar but also for driver training. With real-world track testing limited, the simulator becomes an essential piece of equipment.

Real-World Training in ELMS and Le Mans

The partnership between Genesis and IDEC Sport got off to a strong start at the ELMS season opener, the 4 Hours of Barcelona, marking a successful launch of the Trajectory Program. The ELMS is organized by the ACO as the entry tier of endurance racing — if WEC is Formula 1, ELMS is Formula 2. The ACO’s endurance ladder runs from the Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series at the base, through ELMS and Asian Le Mans Series, with the WEC sitting at the top.

In early April, 31 teams and 131 drivers lined up at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the season’s first ELMS round. IDEC Sport’s #18 LMP2, wearing GMR’s orange livery, was driven by Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella. The sister #28 car was piloted by Paul Lafargue, Paul-Loup Chatin and Job van Uitert.

The #18 started outside the top ten but clawed its way into the lead battle by mid race. Jaubert, driving the final stint, even surged into first place. A late call for used tires, however, opened the door for the chasing #83 AF Corse car on fresh rubber. Overall victory slipped away, but taking the LMP2 class win was still a milestone first step for Genesis Magma Racing. It was also the first-ever ELMS LMP2 class victory by a female driver, Jamie Chadwick.

Round 2, the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, was held at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France, IDEC Sport’s home turf. On the team’s 10th anniversary season, the race was particularly meaningful. Pre-race rain created chaos at the start, and Chadwick’s bold call to start on slicks saw her spin at Turn 2 and drop to the back. A switch to wets dropped her to 18th, but she calmly fought her way back up the order. As the track dried, pit-stop timing became a high-stakes gamble. In the final hour, Jaubert seized the lead as rivals pitted and held off Nielsen Racing’s late charge to take the checkered flag.

The victory marked the first overall win in the partnership with Genesis, and also IDEC Sport’s first at its home track — a fitting moment in the team’s 10th anniversary year. For Chadwick, it was another milestone: the first overall ELMS win by a female driver. Thanks to that triumph, both the driver and team standings vaulted into the championship lead.

From mid-May into June, the ELMS calendar paused, but the team had no time to rest—because the biggest race in endurance racing, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, awaited. Every June, the world’s top teams and drivers converge on France’s Sarthe region, and for Genesis Magma Racing. Preparing for WEC meant targeting Le Mans as the ultimate goal.

Genesis lined up its IDEC Sport LMP2 contender with André Lotterer, Jamie Chadwick and Paul-Loup Chatin Jaubert on the entry list. Originally, it was supposed to be Dani Juncadella taking the seat, but with his prior commitment to another team in the LMGT3 class, it was Lotterer who ultimately took the wheel.

Early setup issues kept the team out of Hyperpole, leaving them to start 14th in class. But once the race got underway they wasted no time carving through the field. By the time opening driver André Lotterer handed the car over to Jamie Chadwick, they were already up to 8th, and at around 4 a.m. — the halfway point — the IDEC Sport duo was running 4th and 5th. Just two hours later, however, disaster struck: the right rear wheel came off, forcing Lotterer to retire the car on the long Mulsanne Straight.

Le Mans may have ended in a heartbreaking retirement, but Genesis stayed firmly on course with its long-term road map by announcing fresh additions to the team right before the race. Newly appointed team manager Anouck Abadie brought pedigree from the renowned GT outfit Kessel Racing, while chief engineer Justin Taylor arrived with experience across both WEC Hypercar and IMSA LMDh programs — an invaluable hire as Genesis eyes an IMSA entry in 2027. And there was also a familiar face: Italian veteran Gabriele Tarquini, the driver who once delivered Hyundai a WTCR championship, returned to the fold as sporting director.

Three weeks after Le Mans, the ELMS circus moved to Italy’s Imola circuit for Round 3. The Genesis Magma Racing entry showed strong pace in practice, but a sudden downpour just before qualifying meant they had to start from ninth on the grid. Jamie Chadwick navigated the early chaos brilliantly, using a fuel-saving strategy to climb as high as second. Daniel Juncadella gambled on slicks in the rain but slid off, damaging the car and limping back to the pits. A string of subsequent incidents kept the team from capitalizing on their pace, and they eventually finished 11th, missing out on points. The setback handed the championship lead to VDS Panis Racing — but only by a single point, leaving everything still wide open.

The first half of the ELMS season wrapped up with Round 4 at Belgium’s legendary Spa-Francorchamps on Aug. 24. From there, the series moves on to Silverstone in the U.K. before closing out in October at Portugal’s Algarve circuit. The championship fight remains critical, but for Genesis the bigger prize lies just ahead — an official debut in the FIA WEC. It’s the brand’s first-ever purpose-built race car taking on the sport’s top class, a battleground stacked with manufacturers who’ve spent decades in endurance racing and have cabinets full of Le Mans silverware. For Genesis, it’s still only the opening steps, but just as Hyundai proved in touring cars and the WRC, the charge of Hyundai Motorsport and Genesis Magma Racing isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

LE CASTELLET, France, Aug. 13, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing is preparing for the first full test of the GMR-001 Hypercar (GMR-001), following the completion of the first car by chassis partner ORECA, and a successful shakedown.

Appearing in bare carbon fiber, the car is the first of three development chassis to be built in the coming months to support the development and homologation of the GMR-001 ahead of its race debut in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. 

Finished Car Brings Different Strands of Development Together 

The completion and shakedown of the first functioning GMR-001 chassis is the latest milestone for Genesis Magma Racing since the official announcement of the project last December. The rapid progress as the project continues according to schedule is the tangible sign of the ‘Hyperspeed’ philosophy at the heart of the team.

“We are at a time, where we seem to be passing milestones every day, but this is exactly what we must be doing.” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “After planning for and talking about these moments for the last eight months, to be able to see a finished car running exactly as we planned is incredibly exciting.”

He continued: “We are also starting the process of moving into the new Genesis Magma Racing facility at Le Castellet. The start of testing is the beginning of bringing the different streams of work together — the design and development of the chassis, the design and development of the engine, equipping a workshop and building the team.”

Preparations for First Tests Underway

Following the installation of the engine, hybrid system and gearbox, along with the successful fire-up of the car last month, ORECA mechanics completed the build, before delivering the car to Genesis Magma Racing engineers, who will take the lead in testing the car. As the chassis partner, ORECA will remain part of the long-term project, supporting the development of the GMR-001.

Genesis Magma Racing drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani, who will drive in the upcoming tests, have undertaken sessions in the simulator, completing calibration of the virtual model of the GMR-001 and establishing a baseline set-up to maximize the benefits from the first running. The final preparations for the first full test were completed at a successful shakedown of the car to check the mechanical and electrical systems, which gave both Lotterer and Derani their first chance to drive the GMR-001.

After the initial running, the team will embark on an extensive testing schedule at circuits around Europe, with findings from each test analyzed and applied by the team’s engineers and mechanics at the Genesis Magma Racing facility and confirmed by the drivers’ continuing simulator work.

Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director FX Demaison said: “Every bit of running we do with the GMR-001 Hypercar in 2025 is extremely valuable. The work in preparation that André and Pipo have done on the simulator and during the shakedown means that we have a good starting point for the first tests. Working with our chassis partners at ORECA throughout the testing and development, we can quickly take the data from each test, find a solution and validate it to be able to take full advantage of every moment.”

LE CASTELLET, France, July 24, 2025 — Development of Genesis Magma Racing’s GMR-001 Hypercar passed another major milestone on July 9, with the first fire-up of the car taking place at Le Castellet, France, exactly on schedule.

The moment was not only a key stage in the overall project, which will bring Genesis Magma Racing into the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). It was also a pivotal moment in the build of the first development car that will be used during the team’s on-track testing during the rest of the year.

GMR-001 Hypercar Comes to Life in Latest Landmark Moment

Work to build the GMR-001 Hypercar development chassis began immediately after the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Taking place at ORECA's workshop, close to the location of Genesis Magma Racing’s race base and Circuit Paul Ricard, the initial build work was completed by ORECA's experienced technicians, with mechanics and engineers from Genesis Magma Racing involved at key stages.

The installation and fire-up of the V-8 twin-turbo engine was one such vital point. “In a project like this, you have certain dates circled and this was one of them,” said 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 car fire-up marked the latest landmark in the development of the powertrain of the GMR-001 Hypercar. As well as running the engine though a rev range in each of the seven gears in the transmission, engineers were also able to test the car’s hybrid system, charging the batteries from the engine and then directing the energy to the rear driveshafts, as would happen on track.

Work on the engine began in June 2024 with Hyundai Motorsport’s Powertrain Department starting work on the design, which is derived from the motor in the team’s championship winning FIA World Rally Championship entries. The engine was first successfully fired up in February. Since then, the company’s engineers have put the engine and transmission through months of testing on different dynos to validate simulations of performance and efficiency. The successful integration of the engine into the GMR-001 Hypercar chassis now opens the way to the next stage of testing and development work, with the first track running planned for the end of August.

Car Build Process Combines Expertise of Different Departments and Partners

The close cooperation between Genesis Magma Racing and the team’s chassis partner, ORECA, has been central throughout the car build and fire-up process, with the two groups working in tandem to meet the tight deadlines dictated by the GMR-001 Hypercar's development schedule.

Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison said, “The car build has been about bringing everything together — all the expertise we have within Genesis Magma Racing and at ORECA.”

He added, “It’s now when we can start physically connecting all the different strands of development work that we’ve been following for the last year with our powertrain and design teams. The successful GMR-001 Hypercar fire-up is confirmation of our work so far, but also the start of the next stage of the development that comes with testing.”

The final stages of the car build are still continuing, with ORECA and Genesis Magma Racing staff members now completing the first car for the start of testing, before switching focus to further chassis to accelerate the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar before the homologation process for the 2026 season begins.

LE MANS, France, June 15, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing drivers and team members learned important lessons from a positive performance on their first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Trajectory Program drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert were joined on their 24 Hours of Le Mans debut by three-time winner André Lotterer in the #18 IDEC Sport-entered car in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class of the race.

Qualifying Struggles Give Way to Podium Pace

The trio struggled for pace in Wednesday evening’s qualifying session, failing to progress through to the Hyperpole sessions. However, with the support of the team, which included Genesis Magma Racing’s newly confirmed Chief Engineer, Justin Taylor, the drivers improved the handling balance of the car steadily through the remaining practice sessions.

Their efforts quickly paid off at the start of the race, when Lotterer immediately began to make progress from the team’s 14th in class starting position. By the time the German completed his race-opening triple stint to hand the car off to Chadwick, the #18 was firmly established within the top eight. Chadwick consolidated that standing during an exceptional quadruple stint — one run longer than originally planned — before Jaubert completed the cycle of drivers with a triple stint deep into the night.

As the race passed the halfway point at 4 a.m., the crew were firmly in the podium battle along with the sister #28 IDEC Sport car, especially with the field bunched up following the first safety car of the race.

Sadly, less than two hours later, just after taking over the car, Lotterer stopped on the Mulsanne Straight after losing the right-rear wheel. Unable to drive any further, he was forced to abandon the car, ending a promising performance by he and his rookie teammates after 206 laps. Working with IDEC Sport, Genesis Magma Racing personnel will analyze the cause of the problem in the coming days to avoid a repeat when they return to the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at Imola next month.

Key Weekend in Creation of the New Team

Five new members of Genesis Magma Racing team management were announced by Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul at a press conference the day before the race. Alongside Taylor, Team Manager Anouck Abadie; Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini; Driver Program Advisor Mia Sharizman; and Commercial, Marketing and Communication Manager Warren Scheckter all got their first chance to work with the team and drivers at the race.

Furthermore, over 40 members of Hyundai Motorsport were identified for the Trajectory Program to potentially join Genesis Magma Racing’s debut FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. They were interested observers at Le Mans, gaining first-hand experience of the incredible atmosphere of the race weekend to prepare them to execute their future roles flawlessly 12 months from now.

Post-Race Quotes: #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07

Chadwick said: “It's been an incredible experience. I don't think anything can fully prepare you for your first Le Mans. It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of it. It's funny, I think I would have taken your arm off to just be in the race at the beginning and then you suddenly start fighting for a podium position. Obviously disappointing in the end, but still incredible work by the whole team. I think our strategy and our teamwork has been really good and I learned a lot from André this week. In the race I just tried not to make any mistakes — not getting any penalties or anything like that. My teammates did a great job so when I got in the car, I was always in a really good position. It's a shame obviously not to continue to do that throughout the race, but I'm happy with the progress we've made. It's not easy to come to this place.”

Jaubert said: “I’m very frustrated for sure, but at least we take a lot of experience with Jamie for our first 24 Hours of Le Mans. We’re not happy about the result, but the pace was great. Like from the start of the year, we've made no mistakes, had good pace and good strategy. We were fighting for the podium, so it was a great race, but unfortunately, we had an issue on the car with the wheel. But at least we can take a lot of experience. Le Mans has been all about traffic management. Racing at night is all new for us. Also, the balance of sleeping and waking up — it's quite different, so it’s good to learn how to manage all these things.”

Lotterer said: “It was the race we wanted up until the point where we retired. I think we did really well. We had a good rhythm, staying out of trouble and not getting any penalties, so we were in the mix for the podium, but after the pit stop, we lost the right-rear wheel and there was no chance to come back with the way the differential works, so I had to park the car. It's sad for Jamie and Mathys for them not to be able to finish their first Le Mans. They were driving very steady and learning a lot. So, I think they would have deserved to be there at the end, but it's like this. It was great to be on board and represent Genesis Magma Racing colors and be with people for next year and start building team spirit already. Obviously, next year is going to be a completely different game with the GMR-001 Hypercar. The whole structure is going to be bigger, more complex and more sophisticated, but in terms of operations and human processes, we'll learn at many levels from this weekend.”

Abiteboul said: “10 months after the decision to enter endurance racing, Genesis' participation in Le Mans this year with our drivers and some of our first staff members was an achievement in itself, and another milestone of our Trajectory Program designed to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 in the strongest possible position. We wanted to accumulate useful experience for next year, and that's precisely what we've done ever since we arrived in Le Mans, and in the 14 hours of very competitive running during the race. It was an amazing progression through the field from the team. In their first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jamie and Mathys were incredibly impressive in every circumstance, and we need to say a big thank you to André for sharing his experience of Le Mans with them. While we did not target a particular result, we obviously wanted to do well, and thanks to the relentless efforts of IDEC Sport, the car could progress during the first half of the race to run in solid podium positions. The retirement is a disappointment, but that should not overshadow [the fact] that it's been a very successful week where we’ve learned many things. It was also heart-warming to get such a positive response to our arrival in the WEC paddock, to the design of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the announcement of our new management structure at the event.”

LE MANS, France, June 13, 2025 — Genesis today held a press conference during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, outlining the brand’s bold vision for Genesis Magma Racing. Major highlights included the announcement of key team management roles, an update on vehicle development progress and new market entries for the Genesis brand.

The event was held at the Genesis Magma Racing booth in the Manufacturer Village at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Genesis Magma Racing is also participating in the race itself, represented in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) category with the #18 car driven by Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert, joined by three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer.

Accelerating Development and Market Expansion

Addressing the press conference, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul provided an update on the latest progress of the development of the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar. He shared news of a successful endurance dyno test for the combined engine and gearbox.

This test validated the team’s decision to adopt a V-8 powertrain, a choice made to streamline development by leveraging Hyundai Motorsport’s existing World Rally Championship engine technology. The team based the V-8 on the Group’s competitive 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine, effectively combining two units to create a high-performance V-8 configuration.

Abiteboul also gave details on the expansion of Hyundai Motorsport as part of the creation of Genesis Magma Racing. The new team will operate from a race base at Le Castellet, close to ORECA’s factory, where parts continue to arrive in France for the building of the first two cars that will be used in development testing.

“The expansion of Hyundai Motorsport is essential to create a strong foundation for Genesis Magma Racing, and the establishment of a new subsidiary in France is an essential step,” said Abiteboul. “The team is being created from very strong parts. A strong chassis from ORECA, an ideal race base location in Le Castellet, an international, experienced team of people from around motorsport and, of course, the best of the influences from Korean culture to drive us all forward at Hyperspeed.”

Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke and Managing Director of Genesis Motor Europe Xavier Martinet also joined the press conference, revealing that the Genesis brand will officially enter four new European markets — France, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy — with first customer vehicles launching in 2027.

"With Genesis Magma Racing, we are turning our design philosophy into pure performance. Every line, every surface, every decision on the GMR-001 reflects the same discipline and emotion we bring to our cars,” said Donckerwolke. “As we enter more markets in Europe, Genesis Magma Racing becomes more than a motorsport initiative — it’s a powerful expression of who we are, engaging with a region that has long defined automotive excellence.”

New Team Members Bring Vital Experience to Team

In addition, three new team members were revealed during the press conference. Anouck Abadie will take the role of Team Manager, Justin Taylor becomes the Chief Engineer and multiple Touring Car champion Gabriele Tarquini will take up the role of Sporting Director.

The three bring experience in their roles from different realms of motorsport and will integrate into the existing team structure lead by Abiteboul and Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison.

Abadie has experience of working within the FIA and with leading endurance teams in both Team Manager and Sporting Director roles, most recently with GT squad Kessel Racing. “This new project with Genesis Magma Racing gives us the opportunity to start from a white board, and we can build a strong team of motivated people who share our vision. It will be challenging for sure, that’s why it’s even more exciting. I can’t wait to see our car in action on track,” said Abadie.

Taylor, from the United States, will arrive at Genesis Magma Racing having recently acted as Race Engineer in two of the leading teams in the Hypercar and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) categories. “Joining Genesis Magma Racing is very exciting for me,” said Taylor. “Coming onboard in the Chief Engineer role allows me a chance to develop our team and the GMR-001 Hypercar from the ground up, to be ready for the 2026 WEC season and beyond.”

He brings crucial experience of not just WEC, but also IMSA competition — critical as Genesis Magma Racing sets its sights on entering the North American-based championship in 2027.

Sporting Director joins from Hyundai Motorsport’s Customer Touring Car squad

Tarquini is one of the most successful Touring Car drivers of all time. The Italian has won the British, European and World Touring Car titles, as well as the inaugural WTCR — FIA World Touring Car Cup title in 2018 with Hyundai Motorsport.

The three will fit into the team structure alongside the existing members of the team, including those coming from Hyundai Motorsport as part of Genesis Magma Racing’s Trajectory Program. Abadie and Taylor will take up their roles immediately to be in place for the first on track tests planned later this year.

“Anouck, Justin and Gabriele are fantastic additions to the Genesis Magma Racing team,” said Abiteboul. “They all have great experience in motorsport, which will be complemented by additional endurance racing expertise of the other team members we will recruit in the coming months. This mix, and the management structure we announce today, will be at the center of the team through our testing this year with the GMR-001 Hypercar and our race team in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.”

Trajectory Drivers and First Le Mans Experience

On track in 2025, Genesis Magma Racing’s LMP2 entry — run by IDEC Sport — features the #18 Oreca 07 car, with Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert joined by endurance legend André Lotterer. Chadwick and Jaubert, both in their first full season of prototypes, are part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. They have already claimed LMP2 class victory in the ELMS season opener in Barcelona and an overall win in Le Castellet.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans provides both drivers and Hyundai Motorsport personnel from the Trajectory Program a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the unique environment of Le Mans, further preparing the team for 2026.

On-site With Genesis at Le Mans

Genesis is hosting fans and media at the Manufacturer Village with a bold showcase:

• The full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar model — revealed in Europe for the first time — features an eye-catching livery inspired by Korean culture, with the word “Magma” written in the Korean alphabet of Hangeul (마그마).
   

• The Brand Wall details Genesis’ 10-year journey, connecting its luxury design legacy with the innovation behind Genesis Magma Racing.
   

• A selection of limited-edition Genesis and Le Mans merchandise is available for purchase and prizes, created exclusively for this event.

The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program supports drivers’ development, working toward promoting them into the Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar lineup for the 2026 FIA WEC.

Fresh off the heels of an exhilarating start to the season where she scored an Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class victory with her teammates at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in April and also won the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at the Circuit Paul Ricard in May, Jamie Chadwick is poised to leave an indelible mark on the track and beyond while inspiring a new generation of race drivers across the globe.

Chadwick recently took some time out of her busy schedule to speak to the Genesis Newsroom about her journey with Genesis Magma Racing, highlighting the innovative spirit, advanced technology and collaborative team dynamics that have further fueled her passion and ambition for motorsports.

What were your initial impressions of the Genesis Magma Racing team, and what aspects of the team and technology drew you to join the Trajectory Program?

My initial impressions were that it’s an incredible Program, and obviously one that I would love to be a part of. Obviously, hypercar now is becoming one of the most competitive forms of motor sport out there. So, for the Genesis brand to be aligning with it, and coming into it, and starting for us with the Trajectory Program has been incredibly exciting. The team members that they’ve brought in, particularly coming from the World Rally Championship, bring a huge amount of experience, and that’s really exciting. And then, from a technology point of view, I think what we’re seeing with the hypercar technology, the hybrid engines, and then obviously being tested at some of the hardest races in the world, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is incredibly exciting.

You’ve had a front-row seat since the beginning. What excites you most about being a part of this journey?

I think for me the most exciting part is the potential Trajectory, to use the term of the Program that I’m a part of, yeah, obviously, the hypercar is very much the end goal of my career. It’s the highest category of endurance racing, and a level I’d love to reach that is hugely competitive at the moment as well. So, I think what excites me is seeing that pathway and then being part of a team that I think can have a huge amount of success within the FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC]. It’s great to be a part of, and it’s cool to see it from the very beginning, its inception.

You were in Dubai for the launch of Genesis Magma Racing in December last year. What was that moment like for you, standing beside the car that’s redefining both your career and the brand?

It’s incredibly exciting. I think for me, seeing any road car manufacturer come into our sport and into endurance racing, is always very cool to see. But also, when you look at the people that are surrounding the GMR-001 Hypercar project — the likes of Andre Lotterer, Cyril, Pipo, Jacky Ickx — being a part of the brand is incredibly exciting.  I think it shows that they are going to be a force when they come into the WEC.

How do you and the team leverage telemetry and other data and analytics to redefine or to refine both your driving techniques and race strategies during a competitive race weekend?

Using data and the technology we have available to us is hugely important. It’s instant. We can use it immediately to change things, to improve, to see what’s better, what’s worse. It’s a big part of our sport, and it’s part of the reason I love the sport so much — getting that immediate feedback, especially when you’re working with so many experienced people within our team. It really helps us, I think, particularly on the strategy side. Being able to make quick decisions with the information that you and the engineers have available has definitely helped us with the results that we’ve had. And then, from a driving point of view, you can see exactly where you need to improve. With the experienced teammates that I have as well, that really helps us make quick improvements.

This year for learning has already brought strong results for the team. How would you describe the collective effort behind those performances, and what has been the key to that success?

This year so far, we’ve had a lot more success than I think we were anticipating early on. We came into the season just wanting to learn as much as possible. We loosely gave ourselves a top five target, but winning the LMP2 in the opening two races of the European Le Mans Series championship has definitely exceeded our expectations. I really think the reason for it has been the big team element. I think we’ve worked really well, particularly from a strategy point of view. We haven’t made big mistakes, and we’ve managed to kind of pick up and make the most of others, in that sense, in two tricky races that haven’t been easy to manage. So, yeah, I think teamwork has been a huge part of it. We’ve had a really reliable and good car for the last few races as well. So, fingers crossed, we can keep that momentum going forwards.

What are you most eager to achieve in the long run?

I think in the long run my ultimate goal is to go to hypercar and compete at the highest level of endurance racing. In the short term, I obviously want to try and win more races in the ELMS championship, and with Le Mans coming up soon as well, of course, the goal is to go there and get the best result possible in our first 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Transitioning from other racing series to the Genesis Magma Racing Program presents unique challenges. Can you discuss how you’ve adapted, and what lessons you’ve learned so far?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is, I think, trying to adapt as much as possible. The car, every time you get in, is slightly different. You’ve got to constantly adapt to what you have, the different conditions, the different circumstances that you have in a race. So, the biggest lesson has to be adapting. And then, obviously, in an endurance race, it’s a long race, so it’s not all made or won in your stint. Often just trying to do the best job you can in that moment, make the most of the strategy you’ve got, and then giving the car to make the finishes is the biggest thing. And the main way that I feel like I’ve been able to adapt is by having a really good team with a lot of experience, which has helped me learn quickly. The IDEC Sport team has a huge amount of experience in this category, and I think being able to lean on them and have their support has helped a lot too.

What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned in motorsport?

I think that it doesn't matter what level you get to, you still have to work hard, and you’re always still learning. I think, in motorsport, it is never going to be plain sailing. The good days are always the good days, but to have those moments come together isn’t always easy. There are so many variables in our sport that it takes a lot for everything to come together. So yeah, you have a lot more bad days than good days, but stay motivated and hungry for it, even in those days, and work hard for when it goes right again.

After your recent impressive victories at Barcelona-Catalunya and Paul Ricard, how has that success influenced your confidence and mindset for the rest of the season?

I think it’s changed the goalposts that we’ve set for ourselves. I think coming into the season we definitely wanted to learn as much as possible, but we gave ourselves no target on results, and now I think the recent wins have given us a little bit more of a higher focus for the rest of the season, particularly with regards to the championship. And I think confidence-wise, we know we’ve got two races under our belt. We know what we’ve been capable of achieving as a team and as a group. So, carrying that now into the rest of the year, knowing what we’re capable of, I think, is a really positive thing and has definitely given us a slightly higher target for the rest of the season.

How do you usually prepare for the race, both on and off track? Do you have any personal routines or rituals that help you stay grounded?

I try not to set too many rituals or routines, but a lot of the preparation for me away from the track is physical preparation. Yeah, obviously, being new to endurance racing, long stints in the car, the physicality is something that I work hard on. And then preparation with the team at IDEC Sport, simulator preparation, trying to understand the race weekend as best as possible before going into it, particularly for something like Le Mans, is going to be a big part of it.

You’ve stepped into Formula One commentary. Has that experience changed your view of racing or influenced your approach as a driver?

I feel like I now have a different view on things, having seen it from the other side of the microphone or the camera. I also think F1 is at such a high level now, we can all learn so much from there. Being able to see it up close and analyze a lot of different situations, whether that be from a technical or driving point of view, I feel like I’m learning every day being able to do that. So, it’s given me a new perspective. It’s something I enjoy. I love being part of the Formula One Grand Prix. So yeah, it’s definitely helped influence my approach as a driver.

As a successful woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, what unique strengths do you bring to the track, and what message would you share to aspiring female drivers?

I would say, I don't think too much about being a woman at the track when I’m competing in my own right. I just want to do the best job possible. But at the same time, I think I’m proud to try and do as much as I can for the next generation of female drivers. I think the sport is drastically changing, and particularly in endurance racing, we’re seeing a huge shift of female talent. There are so many great opportunities for women now in our sport. I think we’ve now seen five women on the top step in the ELMS alone, which is incredible to see. So, I think my message to young, aspiring female drivers would be to not let anything put you off — keep pushing.

Can you share your favorite memory with Genesis Magma Racing so far?

I’d say my favorite memory would definitely be that first win at Barcelona, mainly because we weren’t expecting it. But it was such a special weekend for all of us on the team — the first race, officially, for Genesis Magma Racing, and first win. And to have a lot of the team members that have been a part of it since the beginning all there sharing that moment was very special.

At Genesis, there just never seems to be an end to them.

“I’m an auto engineer, and I’m quite a passionate one,” says Harrer, Head of the Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group (the Group). “With my roots in vehicle dynamics and performance, my latest mission to marry Genesis’ premium luxury approach with a performance approach is incredibly exciting.”

The Genesis Newsroom recently sat down with Harrer near his office at the Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Korea, to learn more about the brand’s high-performance Genesis Magma initiative and plans to introduce hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and extended-range EVs (EREVs).

How is progress coming along for Genesis Magma?

The first Magma model to go into production will be the GV60 Magma, and our planning for this, to bring this to the market, is really very, very aggressive.

From a technical standpoint, what do you think Magma signifies for the Genesis brand?

The Genesis brand right now stands for premium luxury refinement. It’s optimized. It's a very comfortable experience, perfect for premium luxury. Magma is the performance bridge leading to more powerful engines, a bolder stance, a wider body and a lower ride height. Magma is aimed at the customer who wants more horsepower, higher top speed, and bold and sporty optics in each segment.  

How about Genesis’ entry into the realm of motorsports? What impact do you think it will have on the brand’s overall tech advancements?

Motorsports is the toughest testing environment you can find in the auto world. We’re talking about high speeds, aerodynamics, cooling strategies and durability enough to last 24 hours. The things we learn coming out of these races can create a great opportunity for all of us to further enhance our products.

What innovative technologies are currently being developed for future Genesis models?

We’re working day and night to build Genesis-dedicated technologies. Digital experience is super important for us, and so are next-generation propulsion systems, which will allow us to gain even more power and more fuel efficiency.

Is there anything a bit more specific you can share about the future lineup, for instance, the flagship G90?

We are currently enhancing the G90 with numerous ideas for new technologies, including digital experience and improvement to ride quality. We’re also looking forward to more powertrain variations, which go in tandem with our broader efforts to optimize our whole propulsion lineup encompassing electrified and hybridized solutions. 

So the G90, now based on an internal combustion engine (ICE), could have more variations in terms of powertrain?

Definitely. More variations are coming.

Let’s talk about EVs. How do global trends like the EV chasm influence your R&D strategies?

The EV chasm, with this gap between early adopters and the market, is really about the fact that completely transforming or transferring to EVs is taking longer than expected. It's a hard lesson for the whole automotive industry right now and we must react and innovate. We cannot push so hard and bring only EVs to the market. It was a bold goal from us years ago, but we must adjust and face the reality of differences in our customers — that not every customer is ready to go there.

What we’re doing in the meantime is developing hybrid and other hybrid-similar technologies for our customers before we can really go 100-percent EV, 100-percent zero emissions. We will soon offer a larger variety of new EV cars and updated or new Genesis models, with modern propulsion lineups, like the hybrid I mentioned already, or even alternative technologies like the EREV.

Speaking of hybrids and EREVs, when will the first Genesis production model of each hit sales?

Believe it or not, a couple of days ago we had a test drive of our future lineup with hybrid propulsion. This is going full steam, but now is not the right moment to reveal the exact date when we can really bring it to the market. But I promise you, we are working intensively to bring it sooner rather than later. And this is really advanced technology. It fits perfectly with the brand’s premium luxury approach and is the next step for our electrified propulsion.

How will EREVs improve the overall driving experience?

The beauty of EREVs lies in combining EV driving characteristics — instant high torque and serene cabin space — with a longer range. It’s kind of a modern hybrid: You can use it as an EV on a daily basis, but if you have to take a long trip, say, from San Francisco to Las Vegas, and you don’t want to carefully plan your route around EV charging stations, it provides seamless driving with the ICE generating electricity for you. This freedom is generating a lot of excitement around the world.

But there’s more to EREVs than range. There’s also the ample power for towing capacity — the energy to tow something like a horse trailer — which remains an unsolved issue with EVs.

How is Genesis collaborating with other companies in the area of EV batteries?

We’re a Korean brand, and the advantage I see here is that we have a strong network of Korean partners that thrive globally. They have battery know-how and technology, and we speak the same language and share the same culture, which allows seamless collaboration and innovation. It’s truly an outstanding environment for an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] like Hyundai to have these partners to work together on not only traditional cells but also on performance cells you will see in the future.

A couple of years ago, the Group announced it would develop a next-generation EV platform aimed at providing significant improvement in driving range on a single charge compared to the Group’s current E-GMP platform. Will this platform also be adaptable to HEVs and EREVs?

We are indeed developing an EV-focused platform dedicated to Genesis that’s aimed at improving driving range on a single charge. Furthermore, to overcome the EV chasm and respond to market conditions, we have begun upgrading this platform to make it adaptable to future tech like EREVs.

What strategies are being employed to maximize driving performance in this new EV/EREV platform?

We can’t do much about the weight of the underfloor batteries in EVs. What we can do, however, is modify weight distribution within the vehicles by optimizing the placement of various components and adjusting the balance of systems. For example, different types of tires could be used at the front and rear to enhance the grip level. Another way would be balancing the drivelines. In the future, you will see more drive-oriented, more powerful e-motors with a rear-wheel bias. This would bring balance by pushing the vehicle from the rear.

What’s really important is that we are now working on a new kind of torque vectoring system for future Genesis models, especially Magma, really cutting-edge, which will bring back agility at every speed. The combination of that with smart tire selection will bring dynamic and performance to the car, despite the mass.

It’s been a year since you’ve joined the Group. Compared to your previous roles working at other car companies in Europe, what particular strengths have you noticed so far in the way of working at Genesis?

What fascinates me most about the Group as a whole, not just Genesis, is the vertical integration. We have about 40 partners and affiliates with whom we work closely together in an intricate automotive value chain. It’s quite unique to see a deep understanding of practically everything — from customer requirements to the manufacturing of small components — and I think this is what makes a huge difference and gives us a lot of innovation power.

What excites you most about the future of Genesis?

I’d have to say combining Genesis’ premium luxury approach with a performance approach. We have really great products in the pipeline that will allow us to create a new foundation and open a new chapter. And most importantly, we have passionate colleagues who will help us get there.

FRANKFURT, Germany, May 28, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing will be represented both on track and in the paddock at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in a major event of the team’s Trajectory year in preparation for entering the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar.

The full-scale model of the car will be on display for the first time in Europe, forming a focal point on the Genesis Magma Racing booth in the Manufacturer Village inside the Circuit de la Sarthe. First revealed at the New York International Auto Show in April, the model will give fans and media an opportunity to examine the design that will take Genesis into motorsport for the first time.

A Key Week in a Year of Preparation

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is a major point in the team’s Trajectory Program, with team members and potential drivers preparing for Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into the WEC.

Among those attending the race and working within the IDEC Sport team will be a number of Hyundai Motorsport personnel, covering almost all aspects of race operation and support staff within the team.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul explained, “It is a chance for our team members in our Trajectory Program to feel the atmosphere and excitement unique to Le Mans to be ready to perform in 2026. They will be able to see first-hand the extremely busy and competitive environment Genesis Magma Racing is stepping into and understand more of what is needed for a strong execution next year.”

The week at Le Mans will also host an announcement by the team at the Genesis Magma Racing booth, updating media and fans on the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the latest news about building the team.

Opportunity to Share Genesis Magma Racing’s Rapid Progress

“We are developing the GMR-001 Hypercar and building the team for next year,” said Abiteboul. “At Le Mans we can share our story and that of the Genesis brand, as well as our rapid progress as a team with the information and full-scale model to the passionate fans who attend the race.”

Sporting an eye-catching livery, inspired by Korea and featuring the hangeul characters of Magma (마그마), the GMR-001 Hypercar model will be the center of attention at the booth throughout its time at Le Mans.

A Brand Wall will tell the 10-year story of Genesis through video and text, from its origins and aims, up to the present with Genesis Magma and the race team, allowing the hundreds of thousands of passionate endurance racing fans who attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans to learn more ahead of the brand’s racing debut in 2026.

Fans will also be able to purchase — or even win — exclusive Genesis and 24 Hours of Le Mans merchandise. Each item is especially created for the event, underlining Genesis’ design-led philosophy, while giving fans a way of showing their support for Genesis Magma Racing.

First Le Mans Experience a Key Part of Trajectory for drivers

On track in 2025, Genesis Magma Racing’s interest is in the LMP2 class where Trajectory drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert are joined by André Lotterer in the #18 IDEC Sport-run Oreca 07. Chadwick and Jaubert, together with Daniel Juncadella, have made an excellent start to their first full season in prototypes, winning the LMP2 class at first two rounds of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

However, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which does not count towards the ELMS standings, is a brand new challenge for Chadwick and Jaubert on a weekend where they can focus on their own development. Just as for the team members with them in the Trajectory Program, Le Mans is a key part of the year the two drivers. “In their first starts in the race,” said Abiteboul, “the objective is for Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert to gain valuable experience without the pressure of fighting for championship points.”

As they aim to take advantage of the opportunity to race at Le Mans, Chadwick and Jaubert will be supported by Lotterer, a three-time overall Le Mans winner and part of Genesis Magma Racing’s driving line-up for the 2026 WEC season. The race will be the longest either Trajectory driver has contested in a prototype, with the obvious additional test of driving in the hours of darkness, as well as the changing conditions throughout the race.

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a key point in the year for Genesis Magma Racing,” Abiteboul summarized. “It is the biggest endurance racing event of the season and a major part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, where we will be racing with the GMR-001 Hypercar in 2026. The 2025 event starts our countdown — 365 days until the next 24 hours.

FRANKFURT, Germany, May 20, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing has begun working with Dynisma, purchasing one of the company’s groundbreaking DMG-360XY simulators to aid in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar as part of preparations for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The choice is a clear sign of the team’s serious intent not just to enter the WEC but to be immediately competitive in the series. The initial sessions for drivers Andre Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani on the simulator come as work continues to build the foundations of the Genesis Magma Racing team.

Time in Simulator Crucial to Early Development of GMR-001 Hypercar

“Simulator work is key in developing a new car,” said François-Xavier Demaison, Genesis Magma Racing Technical Director, “and with the Dynisma DMG-360XY, we are working with the best in the business.”

The F1-bred DMG-360XY features high stiffness, ultra-low latency, high bandwidth and unlimited yaw capability with a five-meter ground plane excursion, providing the most realistic racecar experience possible. 

Lotterer and Derani, the two drivers currently confirmed to take on the testing of the GMR-001 Hypercar later this year and race in WEC next year, have had sessions in the simulator at Dynisma’s UK base.

“The feedback is immediate and natural,” said Lotterer. “It feels like driving the real car. You’re not adapting to the simulator; you’re getting a one-on-one response that allows you to focus on true vehicle development and performance.”

Derani said, “Right now, our focus is on getting used to the simulator and validating the software for the systems, like, for example, the Hybrid system, MGU [motor generator unit] and brakes as well as confirming the tire and car model. The hardware gives us exactly what we need, so it will be essential to the development of the car and our race preparation.”

Purchase of Simulator Supports Development and Beyond

Sessions on the simulator, supported by Dynisma’s technicians, will allow Genesis Magma Racing’s drivers and engineers to begin to develop the set-up for the car’s first on-track test sessions and work between test days.

A DMG-360XY will be installed at Genesis Magma Racing’s Le Castellet base in France in early 2026 as part of establishing the team’s headquarters.

When the team’s focus turns from the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar to the 2026 WEC season, the simulator will become a vital tool for drivers and engineers to prepare for each round of the championship.

“The simulator is going to be an important tool when you're limited in testing like we are because we have a short time to develop the GMR-001 Hypercar and also because the number of test days are strictly limited during next season,” said Demaison.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul stressed that in order for the team to be successful in the 2026 WEC season, it needs to take every opportunity to gain experience and gather data for the GMR-001 Hypercar.

“The purchase of a Dynisma DMG-360XY gives Genesis Magma Racing’s engineers and drivers an important head start in developing the GMR-001 Hypercar,” said Abiteboul. “It shows we want to be serious competitors in the World Endurance Championship and puts us in the best possible position when on-track testing begins later this year.”

LE CASTELLET, France, May 4, 2025 — Drivers Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella added to their sensational start in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season. The trio scored overall victory by two seconds at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet at Circuit Paul Ricard in France to add to their Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class win at the season opener in Barcelona, Spain. The pace of Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory drivers Chadwick and Jaubert, and Juncadella combined with intelligent strategy decisions made in changing weather delivered the stellar result.
 

Team Avoid Trouble in Difficult Conditions to Take Victory
 

The 4 Hours of Le Castellet got off to a dramatic start. The formation laps were completed on an already greasy track, but the rain intensified just as the green flag flew. Chadwick, starting the race from the fourth place earned by Jaubert in Saturday’s qualifying session, got an almost immediate taste of how difficult the conditions were. Under acceleration from turn two the #18 IDEC Sport-run car broke loose. Chadwick, who became the first female overall winner in the ELMS competition, held on to the car, rejoining the race.
 

Called in by the team, led by a race engineer from Genesis Magma Racing, she was one of the first drivers to switch from slick to wet tires. Avoiding the chaos that afflicted many others in treacherous conditions, the strategy decision lifted Chadwick into fifth where she kept pace with the lead group.
 

The rain remained for the start of Juncadella’s middle stint, but the latter laps of the Spaniard’s time in the car was complicated as the track began to dry. At a first stop, the team refueled the car but kept the same increasingly worn set of wet tires on the car. The decision looked like a mistake, as those teams stopping a few laps later for slicks were soon faster than Juncadella on track, and when he did pit to hand over to Jaubert on dry weather tires, it dropped the team from the podium battle, to fifth.
 

However, the earlier call paid off. When the teams ahead were all forced into a pitstop just before the final hour of the race due to the regulations governing a driver’s minimum drive time, Jaubert took a lead that he refused to relinquish over the remaining quarter of the race.
 

From the front he managed his pace to minimize the stationary time during the final stop, allowing him to return to the lead after pitting with 39 minutes remaining. He had to withstand late pressure after losing critical time overtaking slower cars, but once in clear air was able to add to his lead, taking the checkered flag just under two seconds ahead of his nearest challenger.
 

The result puts Chadwick, Jaubert and Juncadella, and IDEC Sport at the top of their respective championships on a total of 50 points. The victory at Le Castellet was IDEC Sport’s first LMP2 triumph at the circuit and the perfect end to the team’s home round of the championship, where the squad celebrated their 10th anniversary at their headquarters just outside the track.  
 

Post Race Quotes - #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07
 

Chadwick said: “It was a really tricky race conditions-wise, so it was a bit of a gamble which tires to go on. We chose the slicks initially and I had a big moment at the exit of turn two and dropped back. It became quite clear that this race was going to be about avoiding mistakes. We called the stop of the wets at the right time. I enjoyed my stint — the car was nice, and I knew we could make a little bit of ground up from where we were. I was just trying to stay out of trouble. I knew the race would be later on for Dani [Daniel] and Mathys. We’ve had good performance all week here at Le Castellet. Another win is a bit surreal; it’s a bit beyond our expectations. The IDEC Sport team did an amazing job today with a really good execution of the strategy. I’m just so happy for them. What a perfect start to the year.”

Juncadella said: “It’s incredible. Two wins out of two in the European Le Mans Series. The 4 Hours of Le Castellet was another race where we executed perfectly as a team. There were no mistakes — we always made the right call even when it was very difficult with the weather, my teammates did an amazing job, and we made it happen. The conditions were tricky out there. It was my first time driving this car in the wet. It was difficult, for sure, but I really enjoyed it. I felt very confident in the car straight away. Already on my out lap, I was able to make some moves and when I knew we were third, I didn’t want to take any risks. I had to stay a bit longer on the wet tires to maximize the stint time and make sure we had one stop less to the end, which was the right call from the team to give the chance to win.”
 

Jaubert said: “Honestly, I feel like I did nothing in my stint, I just had to finish the race. My teammates and the team gave me the car in a perfect position. I had new slick tires. I was able to save a bit of fuel and the car, and in the end, I could push because I saw second place gaining behind me. I had a few issues with my radio, so sometimes I had no information on the gap behind me, so the end was a bit tricky, but the car was incredibly fast and now we are leading the championship with a good advantage. Now we have to see for our next race, which is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
 

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “This weekend was another great job by everyone on the team — Genesis Magma Racing staff, IDEC Sport and all three drivers — Jamie, Dani and Mathys. Two wins in two races is a great start for everyone in the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. From the outside, it could look easy, but I promise it has not been the case. In both races, and especially in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, every strategy decision had to be right, and the drivers had to handle some very difficult conditions on track, which they did really well. Everyone is working perfectly together, and we are achieving the results to show for it.”
 

2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Drivers’ Championship
After Round 2:

2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams’ Championship
After Round 2:

From immersive displays to inspirational sampling zones, here are highlights of the event.

Unfolding a New Era

The unveiling of the X Gran Coupe Concept and the X Gran Convertible Concept comes shortly ahead of Genesis’ 10th anniversary, which falls in November this year.

Ilhoon Yoon, Head of Genesis Design who presented the inspiration behind both concepts during a press event at the show, shared that the G90 flagship model is continuously evolving, allowing Genesis to showcase more interpretations and possibilities.

The tranquil Mediterranean landscape was the muse for the X Gran Coupe Concept, with the olive trees and earth tones providing the inspiration for the car’s colors and materials. Microperforated olive wood was used in the doors, while the interior was crafted with eco-friendly chrome-free leather, naturally tanned using wastewater from the olive oil refining process.

The inspiration for the X Gran Convertible Concept was no less romantic. “The concept mirrors the leisurely setting of vineyards and the freshness of the eucalyptus,” Yoon said. The colors and style of the burgundy-red exterior of the convertible were inspired by the colors of pressed grapes, he continued, mentioning that the blue interior draws upon the “deep, delicate shade of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.”

Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke remarked that the design of the interior and exterior of both concepts was derived from the brand’s guiding “Beauty of White Space” principle, stressing he was “adamant that good design is reduction.”

A Place in Motorsports

Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing, also took the stage to present the luxury brand’s motorsport ambitions.

“For Genesis, motorsport is an opportunity to redefine luxury performance and demonstrate how elegance and engineering excellence can coexist,” he said. “We aim to elevate the sport by introducing new standards of design, innovation and hospitality.”

During his presentation, Abiteboul laid out plans for the brand to enter Le Mans next year and then to add two additional cars and join the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027. “Altogether, they will provide a global platform of 20 races for Genesis to compete against some of the most iconic brands in the world.”

Dazzling Exhibition of Korean Luxury

Visitors to the Genesis pavilion at the show were treated to a carefully curated exhibit and experiences. The pavilion was designed to convey Genesis’ distinctly Korean heritage by engaging each of the five senses, known in Korean as “ogam.”

Several Genesis models were on display in and around the booth, which included the G90, the GV80 Coupe Black, the redesigned GV60, the Electrified GV70 and the GV60 Magma Concept, with the X Gran Coupe Concept and the X Gran Convertible Concept taking center stage.

Genesis Magma

One immersive installation featured a half-scale model of the highly anticipated GMR-001 Hypercar enclosed by LED screen walls, giving visitors the experience of being surrounded by its namesake fiery, molten magma.

In adjoining spaces, visitors were able to view the GV60 Magma Concept up close and also dress up as a Genesis Magma Racing driver for a photoshoot with a 360-degree camera to take home a special photo souvenir.

GV80 Coupe Black

Stepping into the hidden interior of the booth, visitors first encountered a Genesis GV80 Coupe Black ensconced in a shadowy corner. The overhead lighting accentuated its striking and bold presence, allowing its carefully formulated light-reflecting black exterior paint to show off the car’s dynamic and sweeping curves.

Surrounding the vehicle was a wall installation explaining how various exterior and interior features of the car were all blacked out, along with a display playing informative videos about the model.

Genesis Collection

Genesis also introduced its exclusive merchandise line, the Genesis Collection, at the show, displaying a range of products including small-scale models of Genesis vehicles, jacket patches, key rings and scent diffusers, each adorned with Genesis branding and colors.

Motorsports afficionados could also find Genesis Magma Racing collectibles in the signature Magma orange, with branding inspired by Korean characters.

The collection featured Genesis teddy bear keychains in three unique versions: a Genesis Magma Racing driver with an orange helmet; a Jacky Ickx teddy bear honoring the legendary racer and Genesis Brand Partner in blue racing overalls with a matching helmet; and a golfer teddy bear, each representing different facets of the Genesis brand.

Genesis Scents

Luxury is all about refinement in small things. Genesis bespoke scents further elevate the luxury experience, with three signature fragrances “Coming Home,” “Down to Earth” and “Jaunty Breeze.” All three scents are incorporated into Genesis spaces, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the brand’s unique mood.

To offer a distinct scent for each area of the booth, a scent diffusion system was utilized at Seoul Mobility Show. This multisensory experience enhanced the sense of luxury and added a uniquely Genesis touch.

Genesis Color Story

At Genesis, every color takes inspiration from different locations around the globe. The Genesis Color Story zone shared the origins behind each exterior color the brand offers. The interactive display featured paint samples that, when placed on the near-field communication (NFC) receiver of the console, played a video that explained the inspiration for the color and the philosophy behind the choice.

Exclusive Genesis Owners’ Lounge

When a Genesis owner came to the booth and presented their Genesis key fob, they were invited to enter an exclusive area within the booth — the second-floor Genesis Owners’ Lounge. The lounge offered a relaxing space where owners could enjoy tea, coffee and light refreshments.

As the concept cars were inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean, the Genesis Owners’ Lounge offered cannoli, embodying the spirit and tradition of Sicily, in collaboration with Korean star chef Sam Kim.

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 17, 2025 — The V-8 twin-turbo engine that will provide power to the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar has completed a successful first fire-up at Hyundai Motorsport’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, passing a major milestone for Genesis Magma Racing.

Hyundai Motorsport Experience Behind Engine Development Process 

Overseen by Hyundai Motorsport’s Head of Powertrain Julien Moncet and Engine Workshop Leader Rob Benson, the fire-up procedure went exactly as planned in late February, greeted by applause from the gathered engineers and designers responsible for bringing the engine to life. 

The event — described by Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul as the first “heartbeat” of the project — marked a key milestone in the development of the engine and for the entire GMR-001 Hypercar that will take Genesis Magma Racing into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026. 

The engines for Hyundai’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) cars have been produced in-house by Hyundai Motorsport since 2017. Having begun as a handful of engineers in 2013, the team’s powertrain department has grown to encompass design, workshop, testing and software departments, giving them the breadth of knowledge and experience necessary to design and build the engine for Hyundai Motorsport’s first steps in endurance racing. 

“Hyundai Motorsport is the backbone of Genesis Magma Racing," said Abiteboul, "and the development of the engine for the GMR-001 Hypercar is the perfect demonstration of this. We have a huge wealth of expertise at Hyundai Motorsport, so to develop the powertrain for the GMR-001, it was only natural to call on the people we have.” 

Moncet added, “We have a very strong team in Hyundai Motorsport. We have everyone working on the powertrain all together, so the communication is very good between the departments, feeding information back between simulations. This can speed up the development process and it means we can immediately adapt as soon as we see something, without losing time.” 

Engine Design Drawn From WRC Strengths 

The basic architecture of the V-8 powerplant is derived from the inline-four cylinder motor that powers Hyundai Motorsport’s WRC challenger, the two units sharing roughly 60 percent of their parts. The inline-four engine, in turn, is based on the FIA’s Global Race Engine regulations, providing a strong and thoroughly tested foundation for the GMR-001 Hypercar’s engine. 

“The inline-four engine is a very, very sophisticated, very efficient engine,” said Hyundai Motorsport Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison. “It's a proper race engine, so it's a very good base for developing an engine for WEC. Rallying is a sort of endurance race, so for an engine to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it’s a good place to start from.” 

Demaison continued: “With the time we had available to develop the engine, we immediately knew we did not have enough time to completely design a new engine from scratch. For the main part of an engine, you need a long time to design, validate, and of course, to produce. Every part needs to be tested over many kilometers, and the inline-four engine from our World Rally Championship car has already been well proven. It became the logical step to carry over as many parts as possible from the four-cylinder engine.” 

Design work on the V-8 engine began in June 2024 and was completed four months later. The assembly of the first engine was undertaken early this year in time for the scheduled fire-up. 

“The first part of the project was to extrapolate what we knew from the WRC engine into endurance racing," said Moncet, "and then we focused on making improvements to aspects like efficiency and reliability, design and simulation, working hand-in-hand to define the engine. The assembly of the first engine always takes a bit more time, as we pay extra attention to the details because we don't know the engine. We had to learn and build the documentation together. It took about three or four weeks, but we completed the first fire-up exactly as scheduled.” 

Further technical details of the engine and powertrain will be revealed later in the development process. 

Next Stage of Engine Testing 

The successful first fire-up marks the end of the first phase of development while simultaneously kicking off the next stage. Hyundai Motorsport engineers, working with their Genesis Magma Racing colleagues, will now focus on completing a series of bench tests with the engine, before connecting it first to the car’s gearbox and finally to the hybrid unit common to all Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh)-specification cars. 

Abiteboul expanded on the future steps for the engine development, saying, “After the first crank and the first revs in a steady state, we will progressively add more heat into the system, performing long runs. Then with different dynos, we can test in a more dynamic way, reproducing closer the cycles that the engine will do around a race track like Le Mans. We can test equipped to the gearbox and the hybrid system until we have the full powertrain.” 

Facing a relatively short period of time before the planned competitive debut for the GMR-001 Hypercar at the start of the 2026 WEC season, these tests will prove critical in developing the powertrain — and solving any minor issues — before the start of on-track testing later this year. 

NEW YORK, April 16, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) today unveiled its full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar and team identity, including livery and race suits, marking a bold step in the brand’s global motorsport ambitions. The global reveal of the GMR-001 Hypercar ahead of the 2025 New York International Auto Show lays the groundwork for the team’s 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) debut, culminating in the ultimate challenge: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Building on Genesis’ signature “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy, the GMR-001 Hypercar and its striking livery embody the brand’s commitment to blend Korean heritage with motorsport innovation, setting a new standard for creativity on the global racing stage.

GMR-001 Hypercar: Sculpted for Speed

At the heart of Genesis Magma Racing’s ambitions lies the GMR-001 Hypercar, a vehicle that translates Genesis’ design philosophy into raw racing potential. Inspired by the brand’s Magma performance line-up, the GMR-001 Hypercar combines aerodynamic precision with sculptural fluidity, balancing elegance and aggression.

The GMR-001 Hypercar features Genesis’ signature Two-Line lighting, wrapping horizontally around the front and rear to emphasize width and aerodynamic intent. The inclusion of the design ensures visual brand consistency with Genesis’ road-car range, without comprising the nighttime visibility vital in endurance racing.

The GMR-001 Hypercar’s bodywork, crafted at Genesis Design Europe under the guidance of Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, features a Parabolic Line along the side profile. A flat underbody plate supports aerodynamic efficiency, while integrated inlets extract hot air to enhance thermal performance.

While final specifications remain under wraps, the GMR-001 Hypercar’s hybrid powertrain and chassis — developed in partnership with ORECA Motorsport — promise to deliver highly competitive performance and speed.

GMR-001 Hypercar Livery: A Nod to Korean Heritage

The GMR-001 Hypercar’s livery marries intensity with subtlety, dominated by the signature Magma orange — a hue symbolizing Korea’s vibrant energy. Integrated into the design is the Korean lettering for “Magma” (마그마), with its consonants “ㅁ, ㄱ, ㅁ” forming geometric motifs that echo the team’s logo. This visual language reflects Genesis’ fusion of cultural authenticity and innovation, ensuring the GMR-001 Hypercar stands out as a moving emblem of Korean identity.

The distinctive livery blends performance with artistic expression. A gradient that flows from vibrant Magma orange at the front to deep red at the rear evokes a sense of speed and rising intensity — mirroring both the temperature of a high-performance engine and the acoustic shift of the Doppler effect. Toward the rear, bold hangeul script for “Magma” emerges, reinforcing the concept’s emotional energy. More than a race livery, it’s an artful statement — where color and form convey the unique performance identity of Genesis.

GMR Race Suits: Wearable Heritage

Complementing the GMR-001 Hypercar, the Genesis Magma Racing team’s suits feature the brand’s signature Two-Line in combination with G-Matrix graphics. The suits’ design reinforces the connection between driver, machine and brand identity.

Wearing these suits are the individuals tasked with bringing Genesis Magma Racing’s vision to life on track — the driver roster includes three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani, a four-time victor at the 12 Hours of Sebring, both of whom are central to shaping the team’s performance ahead of its 2026 WEC debut. 

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 14, 2025 — Racing legend and Genesis Brand Partner Jacky Ickx has returned to the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Stavelot, Belgium, in a high-performance showcase with the G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife.

Ickx, a six-time Le Mans winner who also achieved his first Formula One podium at the circuit in 1968, returned to put the G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife through its paces, marking a break from the car’s usual duties at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

Exciting New Era

The 3.3-liter modified G70, sporting a new livery for the 2025 season, received an outstanding review from Ickx, who praised its responsive handling and formidable performance across more than 20 laps of the historic 7-kilometer circuit. Unleashing the turbocharged, 365-horsepower global specification model on a closed course, Ickx noted the car’s athletic performance represents an exciting new era for the brand.

“While it is a unique car, it points to the exciting future of high-performance Genesis models in Europe,” said Ickx. “The Genesis DNA is clearly visible from the moment you climb into the driving seat, retaining a refined sense of luxury alongside performance.”

Exclusive Motorsport Celebration

Spa-Francorchamps Revival, now in its third edition, celebrates the heritage of some of the most exciting racing disciplines, hosted across circuit, rally stage and hill climb.

The prestigious platform allowed Genesis to further showcase its dedication to high-performance engineering and engage with luxury automotive enthusiasts.

Track Taxi Returns to the ‘Green Hell’

The G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife has returned for its second season at one of the most legendary auto-racing circuits in the world, the Nürburgring.

The adapted model offers a thrilling experience for both drivers and passengers alike, with high-performance brakes and cooling tires delivering an exhilarating track experience around the Green Hell’s 73 corners and 300 meters of altitude change.

The Genesis Track Taxi Nordschleife program is open till November 2025. To make a booking, click here.

BARCELONA, Spain, April 6, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert, and Daniel Juncadella scored a stunning class win today on their debut in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) category of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Chadwick, who completed a double stint to start the race, became the first female winner in the premier category of the championship, joining her teammates on the podium after Jaubert brought the car home second overall at the end of the four-hour season opener.

Strategy, Experience and Race-Craft Played a Role to Secure Victory

All three drivers in the #18 IDEC Sport-run Oreca 07 played a vital part on the path to the win — a historic start to the on-track presence of Genesis Magma Racing.

Jamie Chadwick started the car from the fifth place secured by Jaubert in Saturday’s qualifying session. By her own admission, Chadwick struggled in traffic though her double stint, particularly on the first time while the pack remained tightly bunched after the start. The team, including the race engineer who was one of nine staff from Genesis Magma Racing integrated into the IDEC Sport team for the weekend, began to focus on strategy, opting to extend Jamie’s second stint. Excellent work to stretch the fuel bought the team a crucial few laps, putting the team in the perfect position to pit during a virtual safety car and vault up the order to fourth.

After the restart, Juncadella continued the progress, quickly moving up to second to cement the #18 car’s place among the front-runners. Also completing a double stint and having to retake second place, the Spainard and the team were able to take advantage of another virtual safety car to pit for Mathys Jaubert to take over for the final 1:17 of the four-hour event.

In the midst of the tightly packed lead group, the 20-year-old Frenchman had to both defend and attack, taking advantage when the leader was held up by a GT car to make an opportunistic move into the penultimate corner to take the top spot. He held the position until half a lap from the chequered flag when a car from the LMP2 Pro-Am class, on far fresher tires than Jaubert, made the pass for the overall victory. Still, second overall and victory in the LMP2 class delivered a historic result to begin Genesis Magma Racing’s presence on the racetrack.

Post Race Quotes — #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07

Jamie Chadwick said: “Starting off in this position is fantastic. I’m really impressed by the job that my two teammates and the IDEC Sport team with the execution of the strategy. It was incredible. I knew what we were doing with the strategy after my pace started to drop off, but I was thinking ‘we’ve missed the window now, we’re going to be way off’ and just I got the fuel alarm the virtual safety car came out. It couldn’t have been better timing. From a personal point of view, it doesn't mean so much to be the first female winner in ELMS’ top class, but it's great for the sport. That’s four female winners in ELMS today [with Iron Dames winning LMGT3]. I’m very proud to be a woman in motorsport today.”

Daniel Juncadella said: “I’m obviously over the moon with this result, it's unreal. I didn't come in with too many expectations to be fair. This is a new series for me, a new car, a new team. Winning at home in front of family and friends, It's just unreal. My stint was great, I enjoyed it out there. I think I keep learning every time, learning new things and loving it. Jamie is making really good steps. She made an amazing start, then struggled a bit in the traffic, which is the hardest part of endurance racing, where she’s still inexperienced, but she kept her foot down. We got lucky with the VSC and then I gave the car in P2 to Mathys and he did just what he knows best. I think not many people know him yet, but what a little star he is. He gave us the first win. A great start to the ELMS season.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “What a result. I didn't realize at the time but it's so amazing for us and Genesis Magma Racing. A first race and a first win with three rookies in the car. My last stint was mega. After the safety car everyone was fighting, but it's very, very hard to overtake, because when you are behind you have so much understeer in fast corners. So, you are just waiting with traffic and to take the opportunity to overtake. And this is what I did. A GT car blocked the leader, and I took the risk to overtake. I looked for the gap and I went for it. After that I had really good pace. Then it was just to manage the tires and fuel for the end. Unfortunately, one car had two new tires, but I knew that he was in a different class, so if I finished in front or behind him, we would take the points for the championship, so I didn't block him too much.”

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “We couldn't have wished for a better start to Genesis’ endurance adventure. The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers delivered an exemplary, error-free race. The team provided them with a high-performance, reliable car, and a particularly inspired race strategy from their race engineer, who is one of the team members from Genesis Magma Racing integrated into IDEC Sport to learn about endurance racing. While this start is a good sign, we must remain realistic about the level of competition.”

FRANKFURT, Germany, March 27, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing will be represented on this year’s European Le Mans Series (ELMS) grid in the first step for the team on track. 

The #18 Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) car will be shared by Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert from the team’s Trajectory Program, alongside Daniel Juncadella, in an opportunity for all three to learn about Prototype racing. 

Working in partnership with IDEC Sport, Genesis Magma Racing team members will have the opportunity to learn their roles and experience the demands and stresses of endurance racing in preparation for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar. 

2025, a Learning Year 

Competing in the ELMS is a vital first step in the Genesis Magma Racing project, creating the foundations of the team that will run the GMR-001 Hypercar when it debuts in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026. The ELMS season offers Genesis Magma Racing mechanics, engineers, strategists and other team members the opportunity to learn and experience endurance racing, preparing them for the next stages of the project. 

For Chadwick and Jaubert, 2025 will be their first full season in endurance racing Prototypes. The Trajectory Program aims to support drivers’ development, working toward promoting them to the driver lineup for the GMR-001 Hypercar in the FIA WEC. The experience of top-class endurance racing with a season in the ELMS provides a key part of that development, giving the drivers the opportunity to prove themselves while learning the unique requirements of endurance racing. 

“The idea of starting with Genesis Magma Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 from nothing, with no exposure to endurance racing, quickly became very scary,” said Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing. “The ELMS is a place for the drivers to prove their talents and make their claim to be a part of the 2026 GMR-001 Hypercar driver lineup. It is also an opportunity for everyone involved within Hyundai Motorsport to learn about endurance racing, its code, its requirements, its community, and understand what we need to succeed when we enter WEC in 2026.” 

The Target on Track: Prioritizing Development Over Results 

“Of course we want Jamie, Mathys and Dani to deliver strong results,” said Abiteboul, “but more than immediate results, it is the general direction in the course of the season we are interested in. For everyone, this is a year for learning because we selected the Trajectory Program drivers with an aim of a potential promotion to Hypercar.” 

For the drivers, the goal is clear. “I want to learn as much as possible,” said Chadwick. “The aim is to develop as much as possible as a team and lineup, and hopefully that will pay dividends by the end of the year. We have a great team and can fight for results. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a podium.” 

Jaubert said, “Podium finishes would be incredible, but in endurance racing consistency is key. My main goal is to establish myself as a strong LMP2 driver and contribute to the team’s success.” 

Chadwick and Jaubert will be supported by Juncadella, who will play an important role in the team as a more experienced driver. “It’s their first contact with endurance racing,” Juncadella said about his teammates. “I am way ahead in terms of experience, but they are very talented. I don’t think I can teach them much to make them faster, but I will help them any way I can so that they can move forward in their careers.” 

Further support for the pair of Trajectory drivers will come from Genesis Magma Racing driver André Lotterer. The German will join the driver lineup for June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. A three-time overall winner of the famous race, his knowledge of what is required for success at the event will aid the team in their toughest test of the year. 

Visibility of Genesis Magma Racing Key to Aims of 2025 Season 

A key motivation for working with IDEC Sport in the ELMS this season is to build the fame of Genesis Magma Racing amongst the endurance racing community. To support this goal, the #18 car will carry the unmistakable branding of Genesis Magma Racing. 

The signature Magma orange — symbolizing Korea’s vibrant energy — will instantly make the car stand out on track, even as part of a tightly packed field. The team’s geometric logo, inspired by the Korean Hangeul lettering for “Magma” (마그마), with its consonants “ㅁ, ㄱ, ㅁ,” appears on the car’s nose and rear haunches, with Genesis Magma Racing proudly written across the rear wing. The same elements will also be featured in the driver’s race overalls and team clothing seen around this season’s paddocks. 

“When we arrive in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, we already want people cheering for us,” said Abiteboul. “To do that, they have to know who we are, they must know Genesis Magma and Genesis Magma Racing. In 2025, we need to introduce ourselves to endurance racing fans at every opportunity and that’s what we will do through this partnership with IDEC Sport, during all the races of the ELMS championship, including the amazing 24 Hours of Le Mans.” 

First Steps in Endurance Racing 

The entry into the ELMS will be Genesis Magma Racing’s first steps in endurance racing. However, the series will immediately drop the team and their drivers into a highly competitive environment. Already this season, there are 14 entries in the LMP2 category, in addition to a further seven contesting the LMP2 Pro/Am category. All LMP2 teams use the same combination of Oreca 07 chassis, V-8 Gibson engine and Goodyear tires. The Prototype racers share the track with the slower LMP3 and LMGT3 classes. 

The result is an incredibly competitive grid, the perfect introduction to the demands of endurance racing and a high-speed classroom for Chadwick and Jaubert to develop their skills. 

“I think the biggest challenge will be how competitive the series is,” said Chadwick. “All the ELMS races are only four hours, so they will be flat out from start to finish. This year will also be my first time in the top category in multi-class racing, so I will have to get used to the speed differential and traffic management.” 

Juncadella chimed in, saying, “Everything is new. I’ve never really raced in the ELMS before. It’s my first time racing the car and my first time with the team, but I’m sure that everything I’ve learned through the years will give me a head start at the start of the season.” 

Iconic Circuits All the Way on Six-Stop Calendar 

The six race weekends of the 2025 ELMS will take the drivers to a succession of iconic tracks. Starting with the opening race of the year in Barcelona, Spain, each circuit hosts a four-hour race, and each provides its own test of drivers, car and team. From the high-speed sweeps of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Silverstone in the U.K. to the technical challenges of Imola in Italy and the season finale in Portimão, Portugal, via a home race for the IDEC Sport team at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, every track promises a thrilling contest. 

“Paul Ricard feels like a home race for me,” said Jaubert. “I live in the south of France, so I’ll have a lot of support from family, friends and partners. Having that energy around me will make it a special event.” 

“It’s a highlight of the year to be racing in Barcelona, my hometown,” said Juncadella. “I haven’t raced there in a few years, so that just adds to the excitement to get the season going.” 

2025 European Le Mans Series Calendar 
April 4-6: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain 
May 2-4: Circuit Paul Ricard, France 
July 4-6: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Italy 
Aug. 22-24: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium 
Sept. 12-14: Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom 
Oct. 16-18: Algarve International Circuit, Portugal 

1. Driver profile: Jamie Chadwick 

Place of birth: Bath, U.K. 
Date of birth: May 20, 1998 
FIA driver grading: Silver 

Career highlights: 
2024 7th – Indy NXT Series (1 win, 2 podiums) 
2023 12th – Indy NXT Series 
2022 1st – W Series (5 wins, 6 podiums) 
2021 1st – W Series (4 wins, 7 podiums) 
2019 1st – W Series (2 wins, 5 podiums) 
         1st – Nürburgring 24 Hours - SP8T class 
2015 1st – British GT Championship - GT4 class (2 wins, 6 podiums) 

2. Driver profile: Mathys Jaubert 

Place of birth: Salon-de-Provence, France 
Date of birth: March 3, 2005 
FIA driver grading: Silver 

Career highlights: 
2024 2nd – Porsche Carrera Cup France (3 wins, 9 podiums) 
2024 3rd – Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (11 podiums) 
2024 10th – Porsche Supercup 
2023 4th – Porsche Carrera Cup France (2 podiums) 

3. Driver profile: Daniel Juncadella 

Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain 
Date of birth: May 7, 1991 
FIA driver grading: Platinum 

Career highlights: 
2023 2nd – IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Pro class (3 wins, 5 podiums) 
2022 1st – GT World Challenge Europe Endurance – Pro class (1 win, 3 podiums) 
2012 1st – FIA Formula 3 Europe (6 wins, 12 podiums) 
2011 1st – Macau Grand Prix 

SEOUL, March 18, 2025 — Genesis announced Tuesday that the luxury marque earned four awards across three disciplines at the iF Design Award 2025. These honors underscore Genesis’ commitment to excellence and innovation in both automotive and architectural design. 

The brand’s full-sized electric SUV, Neolun Concept, was recognized in the Professional Concept discipline, taking home an award in the Product Concepts category. The vehicle embodies Genesis’ “reductive design” philosophy, which emphasizes clean, refined lines and cutting-edge technology. Features inspired by Korean hospitality, such as “ondol” radiant heating, highlight the brand’s dedication to integrating cultural elements into modern design. The name Neolun is derived from the Greek “neo” (new) and Latin “luna” (moon) and reflects Genesis’ forward-thinking vision. 

Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis Chief Creative Officer, commented, “The Neolun Concept represents our focus on simplicity and technical excellence, drawing inspiration from Korea’s iconic moon-shaped porcelain jars. Our goal is to create designs that are both beautiful and technically advanced.” 

The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept was recognized in the Automobile discipline, receiving honors in the Product category. This concept car is a clear representation of Genesis’ “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy, characterized by a muscular and balanced aesthetic. The design focuses on optimizing form and function, with a particular emphasis on the cab-backwards proportions and a mid-engine layout that enhances performance and style. 

On the architectural front, Genesis demonstrated its versatility with the Genesis Magma Pavilion and Genesis Workspace, both of which received accolades in the Interior Architecture discipline, each securing an award for Exhibition Branding and Office Interiors category, respectively. 

Genesis Magma Pavilion, unveiled at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, embodies "the aesthetics of boundaries," fostering an architectural dialogue that fuses culture, place and humanity. Using its signature Magma orange, the pavilion symbolizes confidence and passion, reinforcing the brand’s bold identity. 

Reflecting the brand’s innovative corporate culture, Genesis Workspace in Seoul’s Gangnam was designed to foster creativity and collaboration, transcending the traditional office environment by offering open and flexible spaces that encourage spontaneous interaction and relaxation. This approach not only enhances user experience but also aligns with the Genesis brand’s values and identity. 

The iF Design Award, hosted by iF International Forum Design GmbH, is among the most prestigious design competitions globally. This year, the awards attracted nearly 11,000 entries from 66 countries and was evaluated by a panel of expert judges. 

That’s how Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul describes the momentum behind Genesis’ ambitious new motorsports program. From developing a V-8 engine to preparing for the highly anticipated debut of the full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar, Abiteboul recently sat down with the Genesis Newsroom to discuss the team’s next bold steps.

This exclusive interview follows Genesis’ announcement of its entry into motorsports late last year, with plans to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027.

It’s been three months since Genesis officially launched its racing program. What challenges have you encountered so far?

I think the biggest challenge is really the time we have available. Building a path is a challenge, but also finding the right facility and building a team. We need to have a group of 60 people who do not yet exist. We also need to have the right equipment for them to operate.

Another big challenge, from a timing and engineering perspective, is the powertrain. And anyone who knows about engines will appreciate that we only had six months to develop a complete engine. We elected to go with a V-8, precisely because the V-8 was a great opportunity not to have to redesign a complete engine from scratch and instead take inspiration from our [Hyundai Motor Group’s] existing WRC [World Rally Championship] engine, a very competitive 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that we've been using for several years. We took that engine and made it two times four in line, which gives us a V-8.

Also, we are working with partners, and one key partner is a French company called ORECA, which is not new to this business. They have been designing endurance racing cars for decades. We are also very lucky to have them as a partner to help us and guide us in the development of the design and the performance of the car.

It sounds like you’re assembling everything quickly.

Yeah, building the team together and putting the different building blocks together is a challenge because nothing existed at first. It's not just a car that we need to build. It's a racing team. An organization. A new identity.

Genesis’ entry into motorsports was kind of a surprise to the racing world. What really happened behind the scenes?

Hyundai Motorsport has been involved in the World Rally Championship for the past 12 years, during which I’ve served as Team Principal since January 2023 and President since January 2024. Early last year, we started to look at different options for a new venture, as we thought it was the right time to assess what could be the next chapter for the Hyundai Motor Group in motorsports. Around summertime last year, we thought that endurance racing was an interesting next step, and ever since then, things moved very, very quickly and very suddenly.

But why endurance racing?

It’s one of those classic heritage racings. We’re not just trying to build the here and now, but also a legacy. Racing in this type of championship against legacy brands allows us to immediately connect the brand with the best of the best in the most iconic racing venues in the world.

Genesis takes pride in its distinctly Korean identity. How is the racing team showcasing its Korean DNA?

We try to be as Korean as we can in both how we look and how we perform. First and foremost, we have the logo design, which is a direct reference to Korean characters. We also reference our connection to Korean culture in the team's identity.

And as for how we perform, one of the things that indeed we like to insist upon is the speed at which we do things. There will be the car testing on tarmac a few months from now, and the car will be racing at the start of 2026. By all standards, we really compressed the timing of what is normally done to an extreme, because we also want to show the speed of Korean culture — or what I’d like to call, Genesis hyperspeed.

About the GMR-001 Hypercar: As an engineer, what’s the relationship between design and performance?

One of the most famous French aero designers used to say that a nice airplane flies well, too. And I tend to believe that. Sometimes, technical regulations can induce you to design cars that are not necessarily very nice-looking because they are extremely sophisticated. I keep thinking of Formula One because that’s where I spent the largest part of my life. There was a period of time when cars were packed with aerodynamic surfaces: lots of wing legs, shark legs and so on and so forth. But in the end, I believe there is no opposition between aesthetics and functionality. In any case, the car that wins is always the more beautiful one.

The GMR-001 Hypercar unveiled last December in Dubai was a half-scale model. When will the world get to see it full-scale?

It has to be released this year because the car will be tested in August. So the car will be revealed a bit before then, around April. We will find a great spot to introduce the car to the world.

What about the people? Where are you searching for members for the racing team?

We are looking for talent on a worldwide basis. I can already tell you that we have secured a chief engineer. I cannot disclose his name yet, but I can tell you he previously worked with some of the most successful brands in motorsports. We are only looking at the best of the best who can bring us not just talent, but also their culture, their background and their network of people.

You must be excited about your two drivers, André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani.

I'm super, super excited. I was just talking about culture, and from my experience no one's more important than the drivers for building that culture. It’s essential for all of us to bring people who are not just drivers but can also embody the brand and be leaders of the team.  Both André and Pipo are exactly that. André is coming from being the world champion in WEC last year, and Pipo has lots of IMSA experience. It is a great opportunity to get people behind our own steering wheel who have experience with other types of cars.

When the car starts racing in 2026, what are the immediate goals that you have in mind?

Year one will be about system and reliability checks, making sure that the performance is there. And, frankly, if we do that, we can be a regular top-five finisher. And if you are a regular top-five finisher, you can, on some occasions, be on the podium.

After that, we will take it step by step to show that we are a professional, credible force in the races, and that there is a long-term plan. There’s no point in trying to rush or burn the steps. It's not sprint racing, it's endurance racing. It's a totally different philosophy.

It’s been a quick beginning for the team, but have you had any memorable moments?

I think one great moment was Dubai. What's great about Genesis is that it's part of a truly international group, and so many people had worked hard to get ready for the debut and announcing all the things that we announced. When I was on stage at the beautiful location of Burj Khalifa and looked at all the people, and the tower, at that sunset moment, that was really something.

But I'm very sure that there will be other great moments coming up. Every single moment where the team will be feeling that this is becoming more and more real will be exciting. I'm very sure that in a few weeks from now, if everything goes to plan, the first fire-up of the engine will be even more of a moment. We will also have the opening of our new base, which will be very nice also.

FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 25, 2025 — Genesis Motor Europe has donated over €53,000 to the German children’s charity Aktion Kinder-Unfallhilfe e.V. 

The donation was made possible by the success of the Genesis Track Taxi Nordschleife program and marks a crucial step in the ongoing development of the brand’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in Europe. The program, which returns to the Nürburgring in Germany on March 8, offers passenger rides to the public in a modified G70 at one of the world’s most thrilling racetracks.

“We are incredibly proud to support Aktion Kinder-Unfallhilfe e.V.” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “Safety is paramount at Genesis. This commitment extends far beyond the driver and passengers to include pedestrians and other road users. We hope this donation will help young accident victims and their families and create a positive impact in road safety initiatives in local communities.”

Founded in 1998, Aktion Kinder-Unfallhilfe e.V. provides support to the youngest road users by helping young accident victims and promoting a variety of road safety projects. The association funds therapy facilities in clinics and rehabilitation facilities as well as horse riding therapy, trips and adventure weekends.

With a child being involved in a traffic accident every 19 minutes in Germany, the donation from Genesis will also go toward accident prevention campaigns and training sessions for children and drivers. These will include teaching children about the dangers of blind spots, the importance of high-visibility clothing and safety equipment, and educating transport companies on safer driving practices in residential communities.

“It is a pleasure to accept Genesis Motor Europe’s donation to our organization,” said Stefan Windgätter, Chairman of the Board of Aktion Kinder-Unfallhilfe e.V. “The entire donation amount will go directly to our initiatives across Germany. It will go a long way in delivering crucial services and support programs for young people throughout Germany, for which we are incredibly thankful.”

For years, Genesis has actively contributed to local communities worldwide. This commitment includes enhancing access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and youth sports initiatives in under-resourced communities across North America through the Genesis Gives initiative. Additionally, the non-profit Genesis Inspiration Foundation provides grants to support talented young artists. By 2024, the foundation had reached a remarkable milestone, bringing its total contributions to $10 million in just six years.

Here are the highlights.

The Genesis Sydney opening event on Jan. 29. Genesis has expanded its presence in Australia ever since entering the market in 2019, today running two flagship studios and five metro showcases.

Among the displayed vehicles at the opening event was the GV60 Magma Concept, marking the first time the model was shown in Australia.

Genesis Sydney goes beyond traditional car showrooms and embodies the brand’s Korean aesthetic philosophy emphasizing the “Beauty of White Space.”

Mike Song, Global Head of Genesis, told local journalists that the brand's aim isn’t restricted to sales. “We want to be recognized as a luxury brand that builds authentic connections with customers,” he remarked. “It’s not about selling one million or two million cars a year. We’re dedicated to building the brand in our own unique way — the Genesis way.”

The exterior of the Genesis Sydney showcase. Regarding Australia, Song noted that it’s a highly valuable market essential to the brand’s global success strategy. "With a deep-rooted motorsports culture and a consumer base that shows a strong interest in automotive technology and performance,” Song said, “Australia provides the perfect environment to effectively promote Genesis' high-performance models."

Jacky Ickx, left, a Belgian racing legend and Genesis Brand Partner, presented the winning trophy from his 1967 Bathurst 1000 victory to Bathurst Mayor Robert Taylor at the Bathurst racetrack on Jan. 30. Behind them, from left, are the X Gran Berlinetta Concept and the Ford Falcon XC V8, the car that Ickx drove to triumph 58 years ago. Delivered at the request of Ickx’s then-co-driver Allan Moffat, the trophy will be permanently displayed at the National Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst.

An iconic member of the high-performance Genesis Magma family, the X Gran Berlinetta Concept, featured at front above, was initially unveiled in December 2023, created as part of Polyphony Digital’s Vision Gran Turismo series. Before last week, it had never been seen in action. In the back is the GV60 Magma Concept, which made its dynamic debut on July 11, 2024, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, winning that year’s four-seater production car category in the Sunday Shootout.

“It’s not an easy place to drive racing cars,” Ickx said after completing several laps on the Bathurst racetrack in the X Gran Berlinetta Concept. “But it was an excellent decision to showcase Berlinetta here, as the Australian people have such a strong passion for Bathurst and motor racing. This place is truly one of a kind.”

After driving nearly 6,000 kilometers across the Saudi desert last month in the GV80 Desert Edition, Ickx said Genesis is undoubtedly taking bold strides into the unknown. “Even though Genesis makes luxury cars for the road, they still aim to have the energy and capability to perform on racetracks or in the desert,” he said. “What a privilege to be a part of that journey.”

BATHURST, Australia, Jan. 31, 2025 — International motor racing legend and 1977 Bathurst 1000 victor Jacky Ickx has returned to Mount Panorama, thrilling the crowds and reliving past glories by cutting some laps in the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept as it made its global racetrack debut.

Ickx, whose epic motorsport career spans both many formulae and eras, took the wheel of this stunning Genesis concept car for some spirited laps during the build up to the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race, giving the vehicle a fitting first dynamic outing. 

Known within the world of Genesis as the “Gentleman Disruptor,” the Brand Partner also drove the famous Bathurst track in the GV60 Magma Concept, an all-electric luxury vehicle that represents a new and exciting era for the Korean luxury brand. The GV60 Magma is on track to enter production later this year, becoming the first Genesis Magma model to go on sale. 

Genesis ultimately aims to develop a high-performance Magma model for each production vehicle in its lineup, maximizing both aesthetics and performance. 

Despite not having seen the globally revered Mount Panorama circuit for more than 45 years, Ickx was always going to remember his way around. 

“It’s been a while but what I felt and noticed was that, like all the world’s greatest motor racing circuits — Monaco, Nürburgring or Spa — it has barely changed over the years. They’ve put a kink in that giant Conrod Straight to slow people down, but it’s still a fantastically challenging track with plenty of rise and fall,” said Ickx. 

“I was blown away by the X Gran Berlinetta Concept, which was a wildly powerful and loud machine to drive. I could tell the crowd really enjoyed both the sight and the sound as I went by. 

“Being an EV, my laps in the Genesis GV60 Magma Concept were quite different, and a lot quieter, but the torque and the thrust you get from a modern electric vehicle like that… truly, it’s quite something. The GV60 Magma Concept feels a long way from the Ford Falcon I drove here last time, and quite a lot faster. 

“It was a real honor and pleasure, to show off these two very special vehicles for the public. And I loved the opportunity to tackle The Mountain again.” 

Ickx, who turned 80 on New Year’s Day, started out racing motorcycles in 1960 before accelerating into the world of Formula One in 1967, winning eight Grands Prix and scoring 25 podiums. The Belgian simultaneously tackled the world of endurance racing, winning the grueling 24 Hour race of Le Mans a then-record six times, and in 1977 achieved his famous Bathurst 1000 win at his first visit to the track, co-driving for Allan Moffat in the mighty Ford Falcon XC V8. 

He was united with that vehicle again on Jan. 30, and he was kind enough to hand over the winning trophy from 1977 to Bathurst Town Mayor Robert Taylor. 

At the request of Moffat, the trophy will now be permanently displayed in the National Motor Racing Museum (Mount Panorama), next to the 1977 Ford Falcon XC V8 both he and Ickx drove to victory that year. 

X Gran Berlinetta Concept 

The stunning X Gran Berlinetta Concept was created as part of Polyphony Digital’s Vision Gran Turismo series and first shown at the 2023 Gran Turismo World Series World Finals in Barcelona, Spain. It has been available to race in the virtual world of the game since January 2024. 

GV60 Magma Concept 

The bold-looking GV60 Magma Concept had previously demonstrated its exceptional capabilities on the famous Goodwood Hillclimb, claiming a class win in the four-seater production car category and taking an impressive 16th place overall in the weekend's Shootout. 

Genesis Magma Racing 

Genesis recently announced its intention to enter the world of endurance motorsport with the launch of the Genesis Magma Racing team and will compete in the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026, followed by the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027. 

This exciting venture will put Genesis on the world’s most challenging tracks, showcasing the brand’s engineering expertise and endurance capabilities while bringing the Genesis notion of “Athletic Elegance” to the world of motorsport. 

By entering the LMDh sports prototype category, Genesis joins an elite group of manufacturers vying for success on the world’s most prestigious racing stages. Iconic endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 24 require teams to balance peak performance with durability and efficiency, testing both machinery and drivers to their limits.

SYDNEY, Jan. 20, 2025 — Genesis is set to open its largest retail space in Australia with the unveiling of a spectacular new flagship Genesis Sydney showcase on Parramatta Road in North Strathfield.

The opening of the state-of-the-art, landmark facility will be suitably celebrated with a cocktail party for customers and invited guests on Jan. 29, attended by Global Head of Genesis Mike Song, who is visiting Australia for the event, and motor racing legend and Genesis Brand Ambassador Jacky Ickx.

Also on display as the centrepiece of the opening festivities will be the instantly iconic GV60 Magma Concept, which will be making its first appearance in Australia.

This stunning addition to the Genesis retail network represents a major investment in the brand locally and is in line with the expansion of the Genesis model range globally.

The new Genesis Sydney facility is a visually spectacular space that goes beyond traditional car showrooms and embodies the Korean aesthetic philosophy emphasizing the “Beauty of White Space.”

It features space to display the audacious, progressive and distinctly Korean contours of eight Genesis vehicles internally, and a large range of vehicles externally, as well as two Customer Delivery Lounges and a conference space.

Parked front and center on the opening night will be the GV60 Magma Concept, which is on track to enter global production later this year, becoming the first Genesis Magma model to go on sale.

Genesis ultimately aims to develop a high-performance Magma model for each production vehicle in its lineup, maximizing both performance and aesthetics.

Head of Genesis Motors Australia, Justin Douglass, said it was an honor, and a recognition of the importance of the Australian market, to have Global Head of Genesis Song flying in to mark the occasion.

“This spectacular showcase, Genesis Sydney, truly is a landmark facility for our brand in Australia and represents a hallmark in quality for Genesis,” Douglass added.

“All of our showcases, and our two flagship studios, present the Genesis line-up in a stylish, minimalist environment, where customers can experience the unprecedented luxury that’s at the core of everything our brand does.

“You can see the distinctly Korean design that sets Genesis apart in the way this vast facility is laid out, but when you visit you can also sense it — the audacious and progressive approach that makes our brand stand out, and appeal to so many Australian customers.

“We warmly invite the people of Sydney to visit this new Genesis showcase, and to experience our vehicles for themselves.”

Ickx, who will attend the opening party, is in Australia to make his return to Mount Panorama for the first time since his 1977 Bathurst 1000 victory.

He will be driving the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept for a series of demonstration laps at the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race (Jan. 31 to Feb. 2) as it makes its global racetrack debut.

The GV60 Magma Concept will also be running laps at the Bathurst 12 Hour, having recently won its class at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed — a hugely impressive first outing in what was the car’s global dynamic debut.

Since launching locally in 2019, Genesis has expanded its presence in Australia to seven locations across four states, including two flagship studios supported by five metro showcases.

1. GENESIS UNVEILS GV80 BLACK AND GV80 COUPE BLACK

On Oct. 2, Genesis added two more models to its Genesis Black lineup, the GV80 Black and the GV80 Coupe Black, presenting an all-black finish that permeates every intricate detail with refinement. 

2. GENESIS UNVEILS NEOLUN AND GV60 MAGMA CONCEPTS, SHOWCASING FURTHER EVOLUTION OF THE BRAND

At an exclusive event held in New York on March 25, Genesis revealed its first full-size electric SUV concept, the Neolun, and launched the high-performance Magma program, marking a critical milestone in the brand’s evolution. 

3. GENESIS UNVEILS LUXURY PERFORMANCE VISION WITH GENESIS MAGMA RACING, BACKED BY HYUNDAI MOTORSPORT

Genesis officially launched its motorsports program, Genesis Magma Racing, on Dec. 4 in Dubai, pledging to compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2027. 

4. GENESIS UNVEILS X GRAN RACER VGT CONCEPT AT BUSAN INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY SHOW

The Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept was unveiled for the first time ever at the Busan International Mobility Show 2024 in Busan, Korea, on June 27, also marking the first time that a Magma vehicle was shown to the Korean public. The model became Genesis’ fourth vehicle developed for the Gran Turismo digital racing game series. 

5. WHY GENESIS DROPPED FOG LAMPS

Fog lamps have become a rarity in the luxury auto landscape thanks to technological advancements, and Genesis is no exception. 

6. MAKING CAR SEATS MORE COMFORTABLE (WITHOUT COMPROMISING SPACE)

Achieving the right balance of comfort and space in car seats can be challenging, as enhancing one often compromises the other. The “Ergo Motion Seat” developed by Genesis aims to tackle this very conundrum. 

7. GENESIS LAUNCHES NEWLY DESIGNED GV70 IN KOREA 

The first-ever redesign of the Genesis GV70 was launched in Korea on May 8, completed with a more refined silhouette and enhanced product appeal. 

8. INSIDE THE REDESIGNED GENESIS GV70: RIDE AND HANDLING

Research engineers from the Namyang R&D Center gathered with local media in June, a month after the redesigned Genesis GV70 was launched in Korea, to introduce the host of enhancements in ride and handling. 

9. GENESIS LAUNCHES TRACK TAXI NORDSCHLEIFE PROGRAM AT NÜRBURGRING

The Genesis Track Taxi Nordschleife program was launched at the world-famous Nürburgring in Germany on June 18, offering passenger rides in a specially modified Genesis G70, dubbed the G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife.

10. INSIDE THE REDESIGNED GENESIS GV70: NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS

The June tech event with research engineers from the Namyang R&D Center on the redesigned GV70 also touched upon the model’s noise, vibration and harshness improvements. 

DUBAI, Dec. 4, 2024 — Genesis today unveiled its bold new vision for the future of high-performance luxury. In an exciting debut in Dubai, the brand introduced Genesis Magma Racing, marking its first major milestone in the motorsport arena. The event showcased Genesis’ ambitions in endurance racing, illustrating the brand’s dedication to innovation, speed and passion. 

Bringing ‘Athletic Elegance’ to Endurance Racing 

Hyundai Motorsport GmbH (Hyundai Motorsport) underpinned the global race and rally activities for Hyundai Motor Group for over 10 years and will now support the Genesis motorsport operations in the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026, followed by the participation in IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027. This venture will position Genesis on the world’s most challenging tracks, showcasing the brand’s engineering expertise and endurance capabilities. 

Endurance racing represents one of the most prestigious and challenging disciplines in motorsport, demanding speed, reliability and strategy over extended periods. Iconic events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 24 require teams to balance peak performance with durability and efficiency, testing both the cars and drivers to their limits. 

At the heart of endurance racing is the Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) class — a premier category that combines cutting-edge hybrid technology with standardized components to ensure cost control and competitive parity. LMDh cars compete in WEC and IMSA, making them a global platform for showcasing engineering excellence and innovation. 

By entering the LMDh category, Genesis joins an elite group of manufacturers vying for success on the world’s most prestigious racing stages. This move marks a significant milestone for the brand, demonstrating its ability to innovate under the extreme conditions of motorsport while maintaining its commitment to luxury and sustainability. 

“This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed — which drives how we create and innovate — in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values: Audacious, Progressive and Distinctly Korean.” 

Introducing the GMR-001 Hypercar 

The centerpiece of Genesis’ motorsport ambitions, the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, was revealed alongside the announcement of Genesis Magma Racing. With its striking design, the GMR-001 Hypercar embodies Genesis’ commitment to “Athletic Elegance” in a high-performance, endurance-ready package. 

Another highlight of the event included the reveal of the Genesis Magma Racing logo, which draws direct inspiration from the Korean alphabet (hangeul) spelling of "Magma" (마그마). The design incorporates the consonants “ㅁ,” “ㄱ,” and “ㅁ” as its foundational elements, creating geometric shapes that serve as a dynamic visual representation of Genesis’ heritage. 

“The logo seamlessly blends innovation with cultural authenticity, symbolizing the brand’s distinctly Korean identity and its bold entry into motorsport,” said Donckerwolke. 

Accurately styled with Genesis’ signature Two Lines lighting, the GMR-001 Hypercar projects a confident stance on the track. The sleek, horizontal lights wrap around the front and rear, emphasizing both width and aerodynamic purpose. This unique lighting seamlessly integrates into the car’s flowing bodywork, underscoring Genesis’ minimalist design principles while enhancing visual impact in any environment. 

Meticulous surface design characterizes the body, with each panel crafted to evoke movement, even when the vehicle is at rest. Inspired by the Genesis Magma lineup, the exterior combines subtle sculptural details that underscore the car’s athleticism and high-speed agility. Smoothly contoured surfaces guide airflow across the body, optimizing aerodynamic efficiency while emphasizing the car’s assertive character and confident stance. 

Integrating functional elegance and power, the side profile of the GMR-001 Hypercar features a sweeping Parabolic Line, a Genesis hallmark that transitions fluidly from front to rear. This line enhances airflow toward the rear diffuser, improving downforce and handling on the track. A concave rear section, framed by an active spoiler, adjusts to driving conditions, balancing drag reduction with stability for high-speed racing. 

Reflecting Genesis’ forward-thinking design, the GMR-001 Hypercar was developed at Genesis Design Europe under the guidance of Donckerwolke. The car’s distinctive black finish and design cues drawn from the Magma lineup signal a powerful new era for Genesis performance vehicles. The model serves as both a tribute to Genesis’ design DNA and a forward-looking inspiration for upcoming models, embodying a balance of elegance and raw racing capability. 

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

Genesis Magma Racing to Rollout in Hyperspeed 

Hyundai Motorsport will play an integral role in driving Genesis Magma Racing’s plans in endurance racing, with President Cyril Abiteboul serving as Team Principal for Genesis Magma Racing. Having recently secured titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and TCR World Tour, Hyundai Motorsport is well-prepared to support Genesis in this bold new venture, working alongside trusted and equally ambitious partners. 

“The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion,” said Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH and Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing. “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.” 

Driving the Future of Genesis Magma Racing 

The combined expertise of the team behind Genesis Magma Racing is matched by the talent of the drivers who will take the wheel of the GMR-001. André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani will lead the charge in 2025, taking on technical development duties for the car and conducting simulator sessions to prepare for the debut LMDh season in 2026, where they will both serve as race drivers. 

“I am beyond thrilled and thankful to join the Genesis brand for its entry into endurance racing,” said Lotterer. “After winning the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship this year, this opportunity is the perfect fit for me to channel my work, experience, passion and motivation into a new project with a team of highly ambitious individuals. I am excited to start working on this project and build a successful future from the very beginning.” 

Lotterer’s enthusiasm is echoed by his teammate, Derani, who shares the same drive and commitment to the Genesis endurance racing project. 

“The ambition behind Genesis’s endurance racing project and the track record of those involved was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” Derani said. “As a driver, being involved in a project from the start is highly rewarding. I look forward to bringing my experience of developing cars and winning titles to the team. Given the competitiveness of LMDh, it will be a big challenge, but I believe all the necessary ingredients are here to make this endurance journey successful.” 

Preparing Solid Foundations 

Ahead of its WEC debut in 2026, the team will collaborate with IDEC Sport to field an LMP2 entry in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), featuring a promising lineup of emerging talent. Logan Sargeant (U.S.), Jamie Chadwick (Britain), and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert (France) will join forces for the ELMS campaign, supporting Genesis Magma Racing’s preparations for endurance racing. 

Genesis Magma Racing will consolidate its operations at a permanent strategic base at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France, leveraging its proximity to ORECA Motorsport and IDEC Sport to streamline collaboration. 

A Magma Showcase 

The unveiling of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the announcement of Genesis’ bold motorsport strategy are part of the brand’s broader vision to redefine high-performance luxury. This vision extends beyond the racetrack and is embodied in the five unique Magma concept models that were displayed at the event, each representing the brand’s relentless pursuit of excellence in design and innovation since the introduction of the GV80 Coupe Concept in April 2023. 

The five models on display were: the GV80 Coupe Concept, G80 EV Magma Concept, GV60 Magma Concept, X Gran Berlinetta Concept and X Gran Racer VGT Concept. These concept models highlight the evolution of Genesis’s high-performance capabilities and showcase Genesis Magma's impact on the brand’s direction for its next phase.

Zurich, Dec. 3, 2024 — An immersive, multisensory installation showcasing the inspiration and spirit of Genesis Magma, the brand's high-performance program, will be open to the public from Dec. 6 at the Genesis Studio Zurich in Switzerland.

Created in collaboration with the Seoul-based Korean art studio OMA Space, “Inner Power” is a meditative art installation designed to awaken, amplify and revive each guest’s inner power, energy and vitality. Throughout a 15-minute barefoot journey, a spiral path leads participants across lava stones, pebbles and diverse organic floor textures that warm throughout. The installation combines lighting, video and sound to create an entirely multisensory experience.

The GV60 Magma Concept, the brand's first Magma model to officially enter production next year, will be displayed on the ground floor of the Genesis studio following its Swiss debut at Auto Zurich last month.

“We are delighted," said Oma, artist and Founder of OMA Space, "as true believers in the transformative power of art, to collaborate with Genesis and to be able to bring our art to Zurich to offer a Magma-inspired experience that reconnects people to their inner power and the pure energy of nature.” 

Michael Cole, Managing Director at Genesis Motor Europe, said, “We are passionate about creating unique and rewarding guest experiences both in and outside of the car. I hope guests will enjoy this immersive journey to discover the inspiration and spirit of Magma as well as our brand’s warm hospitality at the Genesis Studio Zurich.” 

“Inner Power” is part of a global program led by Genesis that includes an immersive light installation called “STARSCAPE,” opened at Genesis House New York last month. Each activation underlines the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries of performance, luxury and design in Genesis studios across the world with a distinct Korean twist. 

“Inner Power” is slated to run through Jan. 31, 2025. Bookings can be made here.

For Yongjun Heo, it’s in the wheels.

“Just like how shoes make or break an entire look, it’s no exaggeration to say that wheels complete the overall design of a vehicle,” says Heo, who leads the Genesis Exterior Design Team.

“That's why as a brand and as a team, we’re dead serious about wheel designs.” 

The Inspiration

Audacious. Progressive. Distinctly Korean.

These three characteristics form the foundation of Genesis’ design identity, “Athletic Elegance.” They serve as the guiding star for all Genesis models, influencing every aspect of their design and product planning. 

“They are what drive us to take bolder steps than other brands, touch the hearts of customers with new technologies and incorporate exclusive Korean aesthetics," says Heo.

In wheel designs, the emphasis on Athletic Elegance leads to one critical question during planning: whether to prioritize athleticism or elegance. 

"For dynamic models like the Genesis G70 and the Genesis GV70, more aggressive spoke designs are used to express dynamism,” Heo mentions. “In contrast, for models like the Genesis G90 sedan, multi-spoke or dish-type wheels are tapped to convey elegance.”

3 Rules 

Behind every wheel design, there are three specific rules that guide the Genesis Exterior Design Team.

“One, the wheels must complement and harmonize with the overall body design,” Heo points out. “Two, they should visually appear larger-looking, and three, they must communicate a clear design message.”

No matter how aesthetically pleasing a wheel may be, it won’t be used if it doesn't meet the above criteria, particularly the first rule.

To overcome the challenge of creating a wheel design that seamlessly blends with the model, wheels at Genesis are not designed in isolation toward the end of the body design. Instead, they are developed in conjunction with the rest of the vehicle right from the outset, which approach ensures that the wheels are harmoniously integrated into the overall aesthetic.

Two Lines and the G-Matrix Pattern

When asked what sets Genesis wheel designs apart from other brands, Heo quickly highlights the Two Lines, one of the brand's signature design elements. 

"We begin with the Two Lines and explore new structural forms based on reinterpretations from different perspectives," Heo explains, offering the double-layer spoke structure of the Genesis X Concept as an example. 

Heo’s favorite: the Genesis X Speedium Coupe Concept’s five-spoke wheel.

"Considering that the X Speedium Coupe Concept was a concept vehicle, the wheels were designed to tease Genesis' future design vision," Heo recalls. "Although production feasibility was not a primary consideration, designing the wheels was still an incredibly difficult task. In hindsight, I think they ultimately elevated both the sportiness and elegance of the Genesis X Trilogy." 

Genesis wheels aren’t simply confined to aesthetics. They also offer functional advantages, like being lightweight while maintaining necessary rigidity.

The spoke cross-section design, for instance, effectively cools the brakes. The G-Matrix pattern, another one of Genesis’ signature design elements, helps secure rigidity and lighter weight, as seen in the G70 and the GV70 Sport models.

Limitless Possibilities

Looking ahead, Heo says he and his team have their eyes set on electric vehicles (EVs) and developing next-generation wheel designs that can enhance EV driving range. 

"There are countless designs to explore, along with new materials and manufacturing techniques that can significantly improve our aerodynamics,” Heo marvels. “The possibilities are limitless."

CHICHESTER, England, July 17, 2024 — Genesis triumphed in the Sunday Shootout at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, securing a remarkable victory in the 4-seater production car category with its GV60 Magma Concept. 

Swiftly following the announcement of the Genesis GV60 Magma coming to Korea and then Europe in 2025, the GV60 Magma Concept demonstrated its exceptional capabilities on the hillclimb, claiming not only the class win but also achieving an impressive 16th place overall. The vehicle completed the 1.86-kilometer course in just 52.72 seconds.

The GV60 Magma Concept showcased its capabilities and turn of speed, proving it is already a challenger in the world of high-performance vehicles. The victory in the production category underscores Genesis' strong commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and design. 

"With HMETC and Goodwood being in Europe, our teams in Rüsselsheim took on the development of the car and I could not be prouder of the results,” said Tyrone Johnson, Managing Director of the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC). 

“This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our development teams at HMETC, and the collaboration with our global team in Namyang, and we are thrilled with the results achieved at the Goodwood Festival of Speed,” Johnson said, adding, “The development continues, so we know there is more performance to come." 

Race and rally driver driver Gethin Jones, who piloted the GV60 Magma Concept up the hill on Sunday, commented on the unique development process that contributed to the car's success, saying, "Driving the GV60 Magma Concept at Goodwood was a rewarding experience. The car's responsiveness and power were impressive throughout the event, and its ability to handle the hillclimb with such precision is a testament to the engineering excellence behind it." 

CHICHESTER, England, July 11, 2024 — The Genesis GV60 Magma Concept will make its global dynamic debut today at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking the first time that a Magma model is shown in action since the high-performance program officially launched in March. 

The dynamic debut, led by Genesis Brand Partner and racing legend Jacky Ickx on the Goodwood hillclimb, will come as the brand announced earlier today that the Genesis GV60 Magma is on track to enter production soon, becoming the first Magma model to do so. Sales are targeted to commence in Korea during the third quarter of next year, with Europe to follow in the fourth quarter. 

“We are thrilled to present the global dynamic debut of the GV60 Magma Concept at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “The festival’s storied legacy and enthusiastic audience provide an ideal platform to showcase the capabilities of our new Magma program and highlight our strong commitment to high performance. We invite all attendees to immerse themselves in the full Genesis experience and witness the dynamic energy and power of Genesis Magma.” 

3 Dynamic Debuts 

The GV60 Magma Concept is among several vehicles within the Genesis Magma program showcased at this year’s Goodwood, including the Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept, which will also make its global dynamic debut today on the Goodwood hillclimb. 

The Genesis G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife — an enhanced G70 3.3T model designed specifically for passenger rides at the fabled Nürburgring track in Germany — will be seen in action for the first time in the UK. 

Production for GV60 Magma Aimed at Q3 2025 

The GV60 Magma Concept was globally unveiled for the first time at Genesis House New York on March 25, as the brand announced the official launch of its high-performance program. 

With Magma, Genesis ultimately aims to develop a high-end variant of each model within the existing lineup, maximizing both aesthetics and performance. 

The GV60 Magma Concept elevates the design and performance of the existing Genesis GV60 — the brand’s first dedicated EV model — with improved battery and motor technology, along with meticulous attention to detail in terms of chassis, aerodynamics and thermodynamics. To enhance stability during sporty driving, the car has been widened and lowered, giving it a more dynamic stance and allowing for a lower center of gravity. 

The GV60 Magma, set to hit sales in Korea next year as an EV model, will closely resemble the concept model, with necessary modifications made to comply with regional regulations. 

Genesis Magma to Feature Various Exclusive Components 

Compared to the existing lineup, production models within the Genesis Magma program will be equipped with various specialized features aimed at enhancing the joy of sporty driving while ensuring effortless comfort. 

Magma models will exhibit a wider and lower body design, paired with exclusive chassis and suspension components that have been thoughtfully engineered to elevate overall performance and provide an unmatched driving sensation unique to Magma vehicles. 

An authentic, Magma-exclusive sound system will provide a rich, dynamic auditory experience that further boosts the excitement of every ride. 

Magma production models will also introduce a compelling and immersive human-machine interface (HMI) built upon a distinct graphical user interface (GUI). The cutting-edge system will effectively prioritize and display only essential data and functions, enabling the driver to fully immerse themselves in the thrilling journey ahead. 

Each vehicle within Genesis Magma will embody the following three fundamental attributes: “Unspoken Dominance,” “Captivating Control” and “Sharpened Immersion.” 

•Unspoken Dominance: At the very first glance, the design of Genesis Magma emanates dynamic energy and power, instantly commanding respect and evoking a deep sense of admiration. 

•Captivating Control: Utilizing ample power and precise vehicle dynamics control, Genesis Magma seamlessly blends accuracy and comfort under any driving condition. 

•Sharpened Immersion: A multi-sensory journey, from luxurious materials to exclusive Magma sounds, delivers the epitome of sensory delight. 

Genesis at Goodwood 

Genesis has participated in Goodwood for four consecutive years, captivating audiences at the UK’s largest automotive festival with exciting vehicle showcases and launches. 

The Genesis stand at this year’s event is the largest yet, a two-story installation facing the First Glance Paddock near the hillclimb starting line. Drawing inspiration from the design concept of the “Aesthetics of Boundaries,” the open pavilion seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere that attracts visitors to capture and embrace the true essence of Korean sentiments. 

Displayed on the stand’s first floor are the GV60 Magma Concept, G80 Magma Special and X Gran Berlinetta Concept, all of which are part of the Genesis Magma program. Displayed on the second floor are three production vehicles: the GV60, Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80. 

Ickx, a six-time Le Mans winner who was appointed Genesis Brand Partner in February, is scheduled to hold an autograph signing event at the Genesis stand throughout the weekend, offering fans a chance to engage with the Belgian racing icon. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

The GV60 Magma Concept, G80 EV Magma Concept, G70 Track Taxi Nordschleife and GV80 Coupe Concept will be running up the hill throughout the end of the festival on Sunday. For the first time, Genesis will also be competing in the Shootout Sunday with the GV60 Magma Concept, showcasing its driving capabilities and turn of speed.