Genesis Unveils New LMDh Contender for 2026 World Endurance Championship
Genesis has taken a significant step forward in its preparations for the 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC) by successfully firing up the engine of its new LMDh contender, the GMR-001 Hypercar. This milestone marks the beginning of a crucial phase as the team gears up for upcoming testing next month.
The 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine was tested in static conditions at the workshops of chassis partner ORECA Motorsport, located near Circuit Paul Ricard on 9 July. The event was described by Cyril Abiteboul, team principal of Genesis Magma Racing, as the “GMR-001 Hypercar coming to life” and a “huge step in the story of Genesis Magma Racing.”
During the test, engineers were able to run the car through all seven gears in the transmission and conduct tests on the one-make hybrid system. This system is designed to charge the batteries from the engine and then direct the energy to the rear driveshafts, simulating track conditions.
The engine has been developed using technology from Genesis’s sister marque, Hyundai’s World Rally Championship machinery. Many components are carried over and modified from the 1.6-liter inline four found in the i20 N Rally 1. This approach allows for a more efficient development process while leveraging proven performance elements.
Work on the internal combustion component of the GMR-001’s powertrain began in June 2024, with the engine first running on the bench at Hyundai Motorsport headquarters in Frankfurt in February. Following this, the engine and transmission underwent extensive testing on different dynos to validate their performance and efficiency.
The construction of the first GMR-001 started after the Le Mans 24 Hours WEC round in mid-June. According to Genesis, the engine ran in the car exactly according to schedule, which Abiteboul called a “huge achievement.” He emphasized that the project, which received the green light in September of the previous year, is progressing as planned.
“Nothing we have announced has changed – we are on schedule,” he stated. “It is a very tight schedule with little room for error. We have tried to minimize the risks, which is why we went with known technology for the engine.”
Genesis will enter the WEC’s Hypercar class next season with its own team based at Ricard. To support this endeavor, the manufacturer has formed an alliance with IDEC Sport, a team that regularly competes at Le Mans and in the European Le Mans Series in LMP2.
Together, they will launch what is being called a trajectory programme to accelerate the learning process for Genesis’s engineers and mechanics. This partnership will allow for shared knowledge and experience, enhancing the team’s capabilities as they prepare for their debut.
Currently, Genesis and IDEC are running an ORECA-Gibson 07 P2 in the ELMS this year for drivers Jamie Chadwick, Daniel Juncadella, and Mathys Jaubert. So far, three-time Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani, who has four victories at the Sebring 12 Hours IMSA SportsCar Championship round, are the only confirmed drivers for the two GMR-001s that will compete in 2026.
This strategic approach highlights Genesis’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable presence in the world of endurance racing. With a strong foundation of technical expertise and strategic partnerships, the brand is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the WEC starting next season.