Latest news with #GMR-001Hypercar
Motor Trend
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Genesis Magma Racing Unveils 2026 Le Mans Hypercar and European Expansion Plans
Last year, Genesis, the luxury brand from Hyundai, announced its motorsport arrival with Genesis Magma Racing. Ahead of the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, GMR revealed its roadmap for its 2026 Le Mans debut in the legendary racing series top hypercar division. Highlighting its ambitious plans, Genesis twin announcements provided updates on its LeMans team and the brand's expansion across key European markets. 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.
Korea Herald
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Genesis unveils new electric off-road SUV
Hyundai Motor Group's premium brand reveals X Gran Equator Concept ahead of 2025 New York auto show Hyundai Motor Group's premium brand Genesis unveiled the X Gran Equator Concept, a first electric off-road sport utility vehicle, at the Genesis House New York on Tuesday, as the carmaker continues to expand its portfolio. 'The X Gran Equator Concept is an exercise in harmonizing contrasts, combining elegance with ruggedness, and the spirit of exploration with refined comfort,' said Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of genesis. 'It represents the orchestration of true off-road competence and uncompromising luxury, designed to enable the discovery of the world's most breathtaking landscapes.' Under Genesis' design philosophy of athletic elegance, the off-road SUV concept model features a long hood, sleek cabin, dark wheel-arch cladding and 24-inch beadlock wheels to highlight its adventure readiness. According to Genesis, the name of the new concept car was inspired by Equator, which refers to the finest stallion in the world of Arabian horses, to reflect the vehicle's elegance, performance in extreme conditions and sense of grace. Although the X Gran Equator Concept has not been confirmed for production, Genesis noted that its distinctive design language, such as the integrated roof rails and split-opening tailgate, illustrate the brand's future design potential. Genesis on the same day also revealed a full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar, the brand's high-performance car developed to compete in motor sports, building on its performance vision declared in March last year. Genesis pointed out that the GMR-001 Hypercar, inspired by the brand's Magma performance lineup, combines aerodynamic precision with sculptural fluidity, balancing elegance and aggression. 'The GMR-001 Hypercar, like every race car, is a sculpture designed by the constraints of efficiency and performance — combined with the design DNA of Genesis — the brand with the Two Lines,' said Donckerwolke. 'The livery is an orchestration of the tension and balance of the distinctly Korean character of the brand, with gradients from Magma orange to dark red emphasizing the high temperature of the powertrain. And the color gradients from light to dark of the Magma writing in Hangeul is an optical Doppler effect that expresses the glorious sound of the V8 Twin Turbo engine in motion.' With the debut of the life-sized GMR-001 Hypercar as a prototype, Genesis will continue getting ready to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2027 Both the X Gran Equator Concept and the GMR-001 Hypercar will be on display at the upcoming 2025 New York International Auto Show scheduled to open to the public starting Friday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
