Genesis might be about to do something properly unhinged: build a mid-engined V8 supercar.
The Korean luxury brand is making its Le Mans endurance racing debut this
weekend, entering two GMR-001 hypercars into the famous 24-hour contest. It has also used Le Mans to state its intentions to push into the GT3 class, revealing a full-blown Magma GT3 racing concept and a road-going Magma GT supercar, giving us the clearest look yet at what is set to become the brand’s halo car.
What is the Magma GT?
Think Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini Temerario, and Corvette Z06 territory, but with cues blending 1960s Le Mans with modern Genesis styling elements.
The two concepts unveiled at Le Mans are closely related under the skin. The road-going Magma GT is a two-seater luxury grand tourer with wide guards, a low nose, and an interior seen for the first time at the race with analogue instruments, knobs, and buttons.
Genesis hasn’t confirmed engine hardware, but the most logical answer is a V8, with a small-displacement 3.2-litre unit discussed in some circles.
The brand’s hypercar, which runs in the class above GT3 at Le Mans, runs a twin-turbo V8 engine developed for endurance racing, and a version of that might be able to slot into the GT cars. Expect power north of 450kW if it happens, potentially with hybrid assist.
What’s the link to GT3 racing?
To race in the GT3 class, Genesis can’t just build one-off race cars and call it a day. The category is tied to homologated production cars. The manufacturer has to produce at least 300 road-going versions per year as well. That’s where the Magma GT comes into play.
Not only would the version for showrooms underpin the GT3 entry, but it would finally give Genesis the desirable halo sports car it’s been craving for years.
Is it definitely happening?
Not yet. Genesis still says the GT3 program is “under exploration” and says it hasn’t settled key aspects like the specific powertrain, suspension components or development timeline.
Global Hyundai and Genesis boss José Muñoz told Boss Hunting that the GT and GT3 had already passed the scientific and technical feasibility stages but that they still have to prove that they can make money.
Genesis is rounding up its VIP customers to see whether they’d buy one if the GT goes into production. If the cars are profitable, Genesis will look to lock in its GT3 entry.
The brand has already built out its LMDh hypercar program, created the Magma performance sub-brand, and revealed two developments of its mid-engined road car concept and parked it all at Le Mans for the public to see. That’s a lot of effort to go through for this not to eventuate.
Would Australia get a Genesis supercar?
That’s the tough bit. If Genesis only builds the 300 cars it needs to get into GT3 racing, right-hand drive might not be in the budget.
However, if Genesis takes the view that the Magma GT could become its 911 as a genuine global halo car and mainstay at the top of the range, it may look to build versions in right-hand drive for Australia and the UK as well.
