Genesis GMR-001: Milestone before WEC entry
Image source: By Damian B Oh - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Genesis Magma Racing, the racing team of Hyundai's premium brand Genesis, completed a significant step in the development program of the GMR-001 hypercar on July 9 at the Oreca chassis factory near Le Castellet: the successful first engine start of the 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid power unit.
The vehicle is now fully assembled and ready for the final development phase. The team tested the engine and hybrid system under realistic conditions: Gear changes through all seven gears as well as battery charging by the combustion engine and energy flow to the rear wheels.
The engine comes from the Hyundai motorsport program and is based on rallying technologies, but has been specially revised for endurance racing. It has been tested on test benches since February 2025 before running in the vehicle for the first time.
Development: Team & Technology
Construction began directly after the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours in collaboration with Oreca, Genesis Magma Racing and Hyundai Motorsport. The first on-track test drives are planned from the end of August.
The moment of the first engine start was celebrated as a symbolic step: The new Hypercar comes to life. The build marks the transition from the construction phase to the test phase - and shows that the project is right on schedule.
The engineers combined the strengths of both companies - Genesis and Oreca - in the production process and focused on maximum technical precision, structural efficiency and modular platform technology right from the start. The hybrid system is designed to deliver maximum performance, recuperation and resilience under race conditions.
The Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar presented on Youtube
Outlook for WEC debut
The GMR-001 is set to make its debut in the FIA WEC Hypercar in 2026, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entry into the IMSA series is planned from 2027.
Genesis is already running an LMP2 car in the European Le Mans Series to gain experience. The driver team also includes well-known names such as Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert - as part of the intensive preparation for the future works team in the WEC.
André Lotterer and Pipo Derani have been announced as the first confirmed drivers of the GMR-001. Further drivers are to follow in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
The successful engine start of the GMR-001 is a key event on the way to Genesis' entry into endurance racing. The strategy is clear: uncompromising technology, experienced partners and a clearly structured schedule. The prototype is ready - the asphalt is calling.
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