Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) has officially presented its formidable GMR-001 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) and its complete team identity, including a visually arresting livery and driver race suits. This significant unveiling, which took place ahead of the New York International Auto Show, offers the world its first comprehensive look at Genesis’ ambitious foray into the world of global motorsport. The GMR-001 GTP is an LMDh endurance prototype meticulously engineered to compete in both the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the highly competitive IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA).
Drawing inspiration from Genesis’ established “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy, the GMR-001 GTP and its distinctive livery are a testament to the brand’s dedication to seamlessly blending its rich Korean heritage with cutting-edge motorsport innovation. This fusion aims to establish a new benchmark for creative expression within the global racing landscape.
GMR-001 GTP: Sculpted for Speed: The GMR-001 GTP stands as the embodiment of Genesis Magma Racing’s aspirations, translating the brand’s core design principles into pure racing prowess. Heavily influenced by Genesis’ high-performance Magma line-up, the GMR-001 GTP masterfully combines essential aerodynamic precision with a fluid and elegant sculptural form, achieving a compelling balance between sophistication and aggressive intent.
A key visual element of the GMR-001 GTP is the incorporation of Genesis’ signature Two-Line lighting design. These distinctive light bars wrap horizontally around both the front and rear of the car, effectively emphasizing its width and inherent aerodynamic purpose. The strategic inclusion of this design cue ensures a strong visual connection with Genesis’ existing range of road cars, all while maintaining the critical nighttime visibility required in the demanding environment of endurance racing.
The meticulously crafted bodywork of the GMR-001 GTP, developed at Genesis Design Europe under the guidance of Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, features a sweeping Parabolic Line that defines its side profile. To optimize aerodynamic efficiency, the car incorporates a flat underbody plate. Furthermore, carefully positioned inlets are integrated into the design to effectively extract hot air, thereby enhancing overall thermal performance during grueling endurance events.
While the final technical specifications of the GMR-001 GTP remain closely guarded, the collaborative development of its hybrid powertrain and chassis with the renowned ORECA Motorsport strongly suggests a vehicle engineered to deliver highly competitive performance and exceptional speed on the track.
GMR-001 GTP Livery: A Tribute to Korean Roots: The livery adorning the GMR-001 GTP is a striking blend of intensity and subtle detailing. The dominant color is the signature Magma orange, a vibrant hue chosen to symbolize Korea’s dynamic energy. Cleverly integrated into the design are the Korean Hangeul letters for “Magma” (마그마), with its consonants “ㅁ, ㄱ, ㅁ” thoughtfully arranged to form geometric motifs that subtly echo the team’s distinct logo. This unique visual language serves as a powerful representation of Genesis’ commitment to fusing its cultural authenticity with forward-thinking innovation, ensuring the GMR-001 GTP stands out as a dynamic symbol of Korean identity in motion.
Beyond its symbolic elements, the distinctive livery effectively merges high-performance aesthetics with artistic expression. A captivating gradient transitions from the vibrant Magma orange at the front of the car to a deep, intense red at the rear, visually evoking a sense of speed and increasing intensity. This gradient subtly mirrors both the extreme temperatures generated by a high-performance engine and the acoustic phenomenon of the Doppler effect. Towards the rear of the car, the bold Hangul script for ‘Magma’ makes a prominent appearance, further reinforcing the emotional energy and performance focus of the concept. More than just a traditional race livery, it serves as an artful statement, where carefully chosen colors and dynamic forms communicate the unique performance identity of the Genesis brand.
Complementing the powerful GMR-001 GTP, the race suits designed for the Genesis Magma Racing team incorporate the brand’s signature Two-Line visual element in combination with distinctive G-Matrix graphics. The overall design of the suits effectively reinforces the crucial connection between the driver, the high-performance machine, and the overarching brand identity of Genesis Magma Racing.
Entrusted with piloting the GMR-001 GTP and bringing Genesis Magma Racing’s vision to life on the track is a formidable driver roster. This includes the highly accomplished André Lotterer, a three-time winner of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Luis “Pipo” Derani, a four-time victor at the grueling Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Both drivers will play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s performance in the lead-up to its highly anticipated WEC debut.
Genesis Magma Racing has already embarked on its competitive journey in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with an LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) entry supported by IDEC Sport. The driver lineup for this effort includes Jamie Chadwick (UK) and Mathys Jaubert (France), both participants in the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program, alongside Daniel Juncadella (Spain). In an impressive debut at the opening round of the season, the 4 Hours of Barcelona, the team secured a sensational victory in the LMP2 class. This Trajectory Program and the ELMS entry serve as crucial foundational steps for Genesis Magma Racing, leveraging the championship-winning expertise of Hyundai Motorsport, as they prepare to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2027.
Genesis’ strategic entry into the world of motorsport is a natural extension of its overarching performance vision. The cutting-edge GMR-001 GTP will serve as a dynamic and demanding testbed for innovative technologies that will ultimately elevate the performance capabilities of the Genesis Magma sub-brand. The valuable lessons learned on the track – particularly in areas such as durability, thermal management, and hybrid efficiency – will be directly applied to enhance Genesis’ future road cars, ensuring that drivers can experience the pinnacle of “Athletic Elegance.”
The groundbreaking GMR-001 GTP will be prominently displayed at the Genesis booth during the 2025 New York International Auto Show, which is scheduled to open to the public on April 18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Summary:
- Genesis Magma Racing unveils the GMR-001 GTP LMDh prototype.
- The GMR-001 will compete in WEC (2026) and IMSA (2027).
- Features a striking livery inspired by Korean heritage and the Magma sub-brand.
- Hybrid powertrain and chassis developed in partnership with ORECA Motorsport.
- Showcases Genesis’ signature Two-Line lighting design.
- André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani are key drivers.
- Genesis Magma Racing is currently competing in the 2025 ELMS.
- Technology developed for the GMR-001 will benefit future Genesis road cars.
Disclaimer: Technical specifications and final performance figures for the Genesis GMR-001 GTP are subject to change as development progresses. The vehicle shown is a prototype and may not reflect the final production version.
Source: IMSA
AI Assistance: Gemini