Hyundai’s Genesis unveils Le Mans hypercar contender

Iconic global manufacturers are flocking to join a race series combining outrageous cars with epic circuits and it isn’t F1.

Formula 1 may be enjoying booming popularity on the back of its Netflix boost and more youthful audience, but there’s another motor racing championship attracting the attention of the world’s most desirable car brands.

The World Endurance Championship sees ‘Hypercar’ sports cars from brands like Ferrari and Porsche race at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and other famous tracks.

MORE: Genesis hints at bold move to go off-road

Genesis GMR-001 sports car for the World Endurance Championship. Picture: Supplied

And in 2026 it will welcome its eighth brand – Genesis – the luxury arm of South Korean giant, Hyundai.

The all-new Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar was revealed today in New York and will begin testing by the middle of the year ahead of its competition debut next year. It will race against cars from Cadillac, BMW, Aston Martin and more, with both McLaren and Ford also set to join the fray in the coming years.

MORE: How Genesis plans to tackle BMW

Genesis GMR-001 sports car for the World Endurance Championship. Picture: Supplied

Genesis has chosen the Hypercar category because it provides the company with the ideal platform for global attention but in a cost-effective way, while also leaving the door open for the brand to eventually move into Formula 1 when it has some more racing experience.

It also allows each car brand that competes the opportunity to create cars with design elements from its road cars, creating a strong visual connection between the sport and business sides.

MORE: Hyundai’s Genesis to race at Le Mans

Genesis GMR-001 sports car for the World Endurance Championship. Picture: Supplied

Naturally, for a company headed by a former designer, Luc Donkerwolke (of former Lamborghini and Bentley fame) this was a major attraction.

“The GMR-001 Hypercar is not your typical race car – it is a moving sculpture,” said Donckerwolke, Genesis’ chief creative officer. “From the Hangeul-inspired livery to the parabolic lines that slice through the air, every detail reflects our Korean heritage and our ambition to redefine premium performance.”

When it lines up on the grid in 2026 Genesis will become the first South Korean car maker to compete at the iconic Le Mans race, something the brand is proudly promoting with its racing livery. It is finished in shades of orange, the colour of the brand’s new Magma performance sub-brand, which get deeper in hue as it goes along the car.

Ferrari are reigning champions at Le Mans. Photo: Ker Robertson/Getty Images

The design then integrates the Korean Hangeul lettering for ‘Magma’ alongside the #10 for the company’s 10 years in operation.

The GMR-001 will be powered by a brand-new 3.2-litre V8 engine, developed by effectively sticking together two of the rally-bred four-cylinder turbocharged engines from Hyundai’s World Rally Championship entry.

Genesis may be new to motor racing but it has drafted in some of the most experienced names in the sport. Former Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul is team principal of Genesis Magma Racing (the team’s official title), while multiple Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer leads the driving roster. The team also has a junior development program that includes former W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, which could help her become the first female Hypercar racer in the World Endurance Championship.

Originally published as Hyundai’s Genesis unveils Le Mans hypercar contender