Genesis Is Going Racing With Its Own Freaking Hypercar

There comes a point in just about any luxury car manufacturer’s history that they decide to get into racing. If you were Genesis, how would you go about doing that? Maybe you take the G70 and turn it into a touring car, or you start a spec series of GV60s? Well, not exactly. Genesis is aiming for the top because this is the GMR-001 Hypercar, and it’s a full-blown Le Mans prototype. Yep, Genesis Magma Racing isn’t pulling any punches here.

Let’s back up for a second. What’s Magma? Why, that’s Genesis’ soon-to-be-launched performance brand. Think of it as the Korean rival to AMG or BMW’s M division, with hopped-up versions of the GV60 electric crossover and G80 midsize sedan serving as two big teasers alongside a pair of concepts not based on production cars, a G70 Nürburgring taxi, and a concept version of the GV80 Coupe. With actual production models on the horizon, the next big step for Magma is the circuit, so why not go big?

Of course, going for prototype-class competition requires an all-new dedicated car, and while we don’t know yet how fast the GMR-001 will be, we do know that Genesis has adapted its styling language to the form of closed-wheel speed. From the parallel lighting theme to a sloping stabilizer fin and a plunging line punctuated by a kick-up for the rear fenders, this is a good-looking machine, one that’ll be a pleasure to watch out on track.

So what are Genesis’ plans with this car? Well, two-time World Endurance Championship champion André Lotterer and 24 Hours of Daytona champion Pipo Derani will be development drivers for the car in 2025, with the goal of having two examples of the GMR-001 Hypercar compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 and IMSA in 2027.

Along the way, 2025 will see Genesis work with IDEC Sport to field an LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series. The drivers for that? Former Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant, W Series champion and youngest ever British GT Championship champion Jamie Chadwick, and 19-year-old hotshoe Mathys Jaubert. Talk about a lineup worth watching.

Needless to say, we can’t wait to see Genesis dice it up with established hypercar and LMDh teams such as Cadillac Racing, Toyota Gazoo Racing, and Porsche come 2026 and 2027. More entries into the world of racing is a good thing, especially when the cars are set to look like this. Welcome to the game, Genesis. We’re glad you’re here.

(Photo credits: Genesis)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

• Here’s What Genesis Needs To Do For Magma to Smash BMW And Mercedes

• The NASCAR Chevy At Le Mans Is Faster Than The Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins, And Corvettes

• ’90s Era Le Mans Cars Are As Cool As They Are Long: Cold Start

• The Ferrari F80 Combines Le Mans And F1 Tech Into A 1,184 Horsepower Street-Legal Supercar

• Need A Nice Big Luxury Car That’s Half The Price Of A Bentley? Maybe Just Buy A Genesis G90

Please send tips about cool car things to tips@theautopian.com. You could even win a prize!