Genesis has revealed the livery in which its new World Endurance Championship contender will race from next year on a full-scale model.
The colour scheme for the Genesis GMR-001 LMDh was unveiled on a full-scale model at this week’s New York International Auto Show.
It follows on from the 50% model of the car, which was part of the official launch of the LMDh programme in Dubai last December.
The initial model was predominantly black with limited use of the signature orange of the full-size version from which the wraps were taken on Wednesday.
Like many of the manufacturers competing in the WEC's top class, it is evident where Genesis has pulled design cues from its road cars – including with the distinctive “two-line” lighting. The sweeping curves of the body and panel work were penned by Genesis’ Design Europe’s chief creative officer, Luc Donckerwolke.
Underneath, a new flat underbody plate has been added to support aerodynamic efficiency, with integrated inlets that are meant to help enhance the car’s thermal performance. Beyond the bodywork though, the chassis development remains a partnership project between the South Korean outfit and ORECA.
The LMDh machine is due to be powered by a V8 motor that is being developed from similar technology used in the inline four-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo engine from the Hyundai i20 N Rally 1.
However, it is likely that there will be some changes in the design and powertrain as development continues on the GMR-001.
In the interim, Genesis Magma Racing is working on gathering real world experience ahead of its WEC debut next year with an LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series and the team's Trajectory Program drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert. It's already experienced success in the opening round of the series, its ORECA-Gibson 07 taking the spoils in the 4 Hours of Barcelona.
Genesis Magma Racing has signed Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani to spearhead its 2026 WEC assault, with plans to run an additional car in the IMSA SportsCar Championship the following year.
Genesis has also confirmed that the twin-turbo V8 engine that will power the GMR-001 along with the spec LMDh hybrid system is up and running.
The V8, developed out of technology employed by Hyundai World Rally Championship contenders since 2017, was fired up on the dyno for the first time at the end of February.
Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul described the tests as the first “heartbeat” of the project.
A first run for the engine in the GMR-001 is scheduled for the summer.
Genesis chose to employ WRC technology for its LMDh powerplant because of the short timescale for its entry into the prototype arena.
François-Xavier Demaison, technical director of the German-based Hyundai Motorsport operation in charge of the programme that started in June of last year, said: “With the time we had available to develop the engine we immediately knew we did not have time to completely design a new engine from scratch.
“The inline four engine from our WRC car has already been well proven: it became the logical step to carry over as many parts as possible.”
Genesis estimates that approximately 60% of the parts are common to the WRC engines in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and the Genesis GMR-001.
