The new Genesis super sports car is coming to everyone in 2026, and the testing phase of the Genesis GMR-001 hypercar is heating up on the track in Spain.
Although it is the middle of December, the atmosphere is literally on fire in northern Spain, where the Genesis Magma Racing team – the sports arm of the luxury brand Genesis – has completed an intensive three-day series of tests at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, in preparation for the long-awaited official debut of the Genesis GMR-001 hypercar in the 2026 racing season.
These tests are the final stage of the supercar during the year 2025, and the team has produced very positive results, confirming that the project is moving in the right direction.
Genesis GMR-001 hypercar tests its speed in Spain
Performance testing and building a complete racing team
During the tests, two GMR-001 cars were pushed to their limits, to ensure the readiness of the 3.2-litre twin-turbo V8 engine known as the G8MR.
Results? The engine has successfully passed important stages of reliability and efficiency tests, which is an element no less important than power in the world of endurance racing.
The experience was not limited to the new Genesis super sports car only, but was a real simulation of a full racing day, where about 75 people participated – equivalent to 80% of the team crew – to test the harmony and smoothness of work between the various departments.
Team manager Anouck Abadie said:
“What I saw makes me very optimistic. This is like a theater rehearsal before the real show. It is necessary to make sure that everyone works in harmony, especially when people from different groups and backgrounds come together.”
The handcrafted Genesis V8 engine succeeded in the challenge
The V8 engine underpinning the Genesis GMR-001 hypercar was developed and built entirely by hand by Hyundai Motorsport engineers, and one of the engines has exceeded 8,000 kilometers of continuous operation, achieving performance, efficiency and reliability targets.
Here the importance of reliability in endurance racing is highlighted, as the team’s chief engineer, Justin Taylor, comments:
“It does not matter how strong or light the car is if it cannot complete the longest race of the season… The success of the power unit is the cornerstone of any ambition to win.”
International drivers and real preparation for the 2026 racing season
The tests also provided an important opportunity for drivers to harmonize with engineers before entering the 2026 FIA WEC season.
The No. 17 Genesis GMR-001, which wears a liquid metal-inspired paint with Korean accents, will be driven by:
- Andre Lotterer
- Bebo Dirani
- Mathis Joubert
As for the second car, he will be behind the wheel:
- Matthew Jaminet
- Danny Juncadella
- With Jamie Chadwick as backup driver.
Veteran driver André Lotterer said:
“We have progressed a lot since the first test, especially in terms of reliability. We tested a new aerodynamic package, worked on improving the software, and collected huge data… We leave Barcelona smarter than we arrived.”
Conclusion
Genesis is not only entering the world of hypercars with the new Genesis super sports car, but is entering with thoughtful force and clear ambition. The GMR-001 car is already proving that it is not just a show project, but rather a real weapon ready to compete with the giants of endurance racing when the 2026 season begins.
And most importantly? This sporting experience will be the basis for high-performance Genesis road cars in the future… meaning that what we see today on the track, we will soon experience behind the wheel.
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