Embracing the Heart of the WRC: genesis Magma Racing fires up the GMR-001 V8 engine for the first time!

genesis Magma Racinghas reached a major milestone on the road to its 2026 debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. the V8 hybrid engine that will power the brand’s first hypercar racecar, the GMR-001, has successfully fired up for the first time. It’s more than just an engine test, it’s a roar of power that signals Genesis’ entry into the global motorsports arena.

the heart: a 3.2L twin-turbo V8 combining two WRC engines

At the heart of the GMR-001 is not an entirely new engine. To shorten development time and ensure reliability, Genesis developed a new 3.2-liter twin-turboV8 engine based on Hyundai‘s already proven 1.6-liter four-cylinder rally engine from theWorld Rally Championship (WRC). It is a combination of two four-cylinder engines, with a parts share of around 60%. as a result, the engine sound retains the sharp characteristic of a WRC rally car.

this V8 engine is combined with an electric motor supplied by Bosch and a battery pack from Williams Advanced Engineering for a total system output of up to 680 hp (500 kW) in accordance with LMDh regulations.

development cruise: track testing with the Oreca chassis

the engine test was more than just a simple start-up, but a substantial process that involved revving the engine through all gear ranges and checking its engagement with the hybrid system. after successful testing, the engine will now be sent to chassis partner Oreca in Francefor final assembly[501]. oreca is a world-class race car manufacturer with experience building chassis for leading racing teams such as Acura and Alpin.

the completed GMR-001 prototype car will begin road testing on a real track in August, and will then enter the official homologation process to compete in the 2026 season. genesis is already preparing for its debut by participating in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), gaining real-world experience for its drivers and team members.

GMR-001: The pinnacle of magma, Genesis’ challenge

The GMR-001 represents the culmination of Genesis’ high-performance program, Magma. with its distinctive ‘double-row’ design lamps and Korean aesthetic, the livery will stand out in a WEC field filled with stiff competition from Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota and others. beyond luxury, Genesis’ ambitious challenge to prove its high-performance technology on the world stage has just begun.