Genesis is making a daring leap into the world of motorsports, and the Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) crew is losing no time in getting ready for its high-profile debut. With plans to compete within the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027, Genesis is setting the stage to problem among the most established names in endurance racing, together with Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche.
On the coronary heart of this bold undertaking is Crew Principal Cyril Abiteboul, a seasoned motorsports veteran identified for his management in Components 1 and past. In a latest interview with Genesis Newsroom, Abiteboul detailed the challenges and improvements behind the GMR-001 Hypercar, a cutting-edge race machine that goals to redefine efficiency in endurance racing.
One of the bold parts of Genesis Magma Racing’s growth has been the creation of a brand-new V8 powertrain for its ORECA-built LMDh chassis—a vital step towards constructing a aggressive endurance racing program.
“The largest problem is absolutely the time now we have out there,” Abiteboul defined. “Constructing a path is a problem, however [it’s] additionally discovering the best facility and constructing a crew. We have to have a bunch of 60 individuals who don’t but exist. We additionally have to have the best tools for them to function.”
As an alternative of designing an engine fully from the bottom up, Genesis took inspiration from Hyundai Motor Group’s profitable 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, which has confirmed itself within the World Rally Championship. The outcome? A V8 energy unit derived from this confirmed platform, delivering a mix of effectivity, sturdiness, and uncooked energy suited to the grueling calls for of endurance racing.
“One other huge problem, from a timing and engineering perspective, is the powertrain,” mentioned Abiteboul. “And anybody who is aware of about engines will admire that we solely had six months to develop a whole engine. We elected to go together with a V8, exactly as a result of the V8 was an awesome alternative to not have to revamp a whole engine from scratch and as an alternative take inspiration from our present WRC engine, a really aggressive 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that we’ve been utilizing for a number of years. We took that engine and made it two instances 4 in line, which provides us a V8.”
Past the automotive itself, Genesis Magma Racing is constructing a completely new racing group from the bottom up—one thing Abiteboul describes as equally difficult and thrilling.
“Constructing the crew collectively and placing the totally different constructing blocks collectively is a problem as a result of nothing existed at first,” he mentioned. “It’s not only a automotive that we have to construct. It’s a racing crew. A corporation. A brand new id.”
To realize this bold aim, Genesis has partnered with ORECA, a French engineering powerhouse with a long time of expertise in endurance racing. ORECA has been instrumental in designing and creating among the best prototype and Hypercar-class race vehicles in fashionable historical past. Their experience will assist information Genesis Magma Racing in optimizing the GMR-001’s aerodynamics, chassis efficiency, and total race technique.
“We’re very fortunate to have ORECA as a companion,” Abiteboul added. “They’ve been designing endurance racing vehicles for many years, and their expertise shall be invaluable as we push ahead with growth.”
With the GMR-001 Hypercar nonetheless within the early levels of growth, Genesis Magma Racing is quickly increasing its infrastructure. The crew is actively assembling a core group of 60 prime engineers, designers, and strategists who will lead the model’s cost onto the worldwide racing stage. Whereas a lot work stays, Genesis Magma Racing is on an aggressive timeline, proving that pace isn’t only for the racetrack—it’s a guideline in each step of the crew’s journey.
