Genesis Magma Racing Unveils 2026 Le Mans Hypercar and European Expansion Plans
GMR team principal Cyril Abiteboul announced key milestones in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar, namely that it will be powered by a newly developed V-8 engine derived from Hyundai's WRC technology. Essentially two of the 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engines from the Hyundai N world rally team will be fused together to create the GMR-001's V-8. New Race Base in France
Along with the engine update, the team also confirmed a new strategic operations base in Le Castellet, France, near racing partner Oreca, for seamless collaboration and vehicle development.
'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,' said Abiteboul.
The team also announced key additions to GMR leadership; Anouck Abadie as team manager, Justin Taylor as chief engineer, and Gabriele Tarquini as sporting director. These seasoned leaders aim to steer the team through the rigorous World Endurance Championship (WEC) by 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship by 2027. Genesis Expands to Four New European Markets
Genesis emphasized its European expansion with plans to enter markets in France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands by 2027. Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke positioned Genesis Magma Racing as more than a motorsport initiative, describing it as an extension of Genesis's design philosophy and cultural identity.
'Our entry into these important markets is a pivotal moment for Genesis. We are moving now to deepen our long-term presence and commitment across Europe. This is the most significant market expansion since we launched in Europe in 2021 and is the start of our next phase of measured, strategic growth, and sporting brand direction' said Xavier Martinet, managing director of Genesis Motor Europe.
'Our distinctive electric models have strong European appeal and the demand is growing. With these new markets, and our audacious approach to motorsport, we look forward to introducing new customers to our design-driven performance brand.'
While Genesis did not share all the models it intends to sell in these new markets, it confirmed the all-electric GV60 compact SUV, and electric GV70 SUV and G80 luxury sedan will be available in the four countries, starting in early 2026.
And now it's time to go racing...
While Genesis' factory effort in the top class of endurance racing will debut next year, GMR will be represented this year by endurance racing veteran and three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, André Lotterer, who joins rising stars Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert in the #18 IDEC LMP2 racecar, which qualified in fourteenth position.
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NBC News
5 minutes ago
- NBC News
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Spurred by its existential fight against Russia — and limited military assistance from Western allies — Ukraine has fast become a global center for defense innovation. The goal is to match, if not outmuscle, Russia's capabilities, which were on brutal display Thursday — and Fire Point is one of the companies leading the way. The Associated Press was granted an exclusive look inside one of Fire Point's dozens of covert factories. In a sprawling warehouse where rock music blared, executives showed off their signature FP-1 exploding drones that can travel up to 1,600 kilometers (994 miles). They also touted publicly for the first time a cruise missile they are developing that is capable of traveling 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles), and which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes will be mass-produced by the end of the year. 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'I think the best drones, or among the best, are Ukrainian drones,' said Claude Chenuil, a former French military official who now works for a trade group that focuses on defense. 'When the war in Ukraine ends, they will flood the market.' Ukraine is becoming the 'Silicon Valley' of defense Fire Point's story is not entirely unique. Soon after Russia's 2022 invasion, hundreds of defense companies sprouted almost overnight. The Ukrainian government incentivized innovation by relaxing regulations and making it easier for startups to work directly with military brigades. Patriotic entrepreneurs in metallurgy, construction and information technology built facilities for researching and making weapons and munitions, with an emphasis on drones. The ongoing war allowed them to test out ideas almost immediately on the battlefield, and to quickly adapt to Russia's changing tactics. 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Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Crystal Palace can seize unwanted opportunity in Conference League
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Yahoo
38 minutes ago
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Eberechi Eze to miss Crystal Palace's European debut as Arsenal book medical
Eberechi Eze will not play Crystal Palace's Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad tonight as he nears a move to Arsenal. The 27-year-old forward has looked set to join Tottenham, but Arsenal made a last-minute bid to hijack the deal. All parties now expect him to join the Gunners, with a medical booked for Friday. As such, the player will not be involved as Crystal Palace play the first European match in the club's history, hosting Norwegian side Fredrikstad. Eze will be in attendance at Selhurst Park, though, in what will likely serve as his farewell to the club. Arsenal's bid for Eze is worth £67.5million, gazumping Tottenham's deal by offering improved payment terms. They are expected to wrap up personal terms in the coming days. There is a chance Eze could make his Arsenal debut against Leeds on Saturday, though he would need to be registered by noon on Friday to be eligible. The news follows Eagles manager Oliver Glasner's insistence that he would play in the match: 'He will come tomorrow to the Crystal Palace training ground, Tuesday off, we take Wednesday and I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad." This means, of course, that Eze has already played his final match for Palace - a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. He was denied a spectacular free-kick goal in the first half after Marc Guehi was deemed to have positioned himself too close to the defensive wall. He signed for Palace in 2020 and has scored 34 goals in 134 Premier League appearances.
