Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car.

Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car.

      Genesis

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      Last November, Genesis made a significant announcement with the unveiling of its Magma GT Concept, an attractive coupe resembling a supercar. At that time, design chief and Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke told The Drive that it could offer as many variations as a Porsche 911. Now, the Korean car manufacturer is living up to that promise by introducing its more performance-focused, race-oriented version: the Genesis Magma GT3 Concept.

      Unveiled today at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Genesis is competing in the Hypercar class for the first time, the Magma GT3 Concept indicates a “potential future direction” as the brand explores additional racing possibilities beyond WEC’s premier category.

      The GT3 was created in partnership with Hyundai Motorsport, and despite still being labeled as a “concept,” it appears ready for the racetrack. In the presentation, Head of Hyundai Motorsport Cyril Abiteboul stated that the GT3 would complete the Genesis racing lineup and act as a viable customer car option for prospective teams and drivers.

      This move aligns with the automaker’s ambition to grow in Europe and elevate South Korea’s presence in global motorsports, which will necessitate significant marketing efforts and resources. Providing a vehicle for competition outside of the Hypercar category would greatly facilitate this goal.

      “The Magma GT Concept and Magma GT3 Concept represent two unique yet interconnected demonstrations of Genesis performance,” remarked Donckerwolke. “The Magma GT Concept embodies our vision of luxury and performance on the road, whereas the Magma GT3 Concept translates that vision into the racing sphere, where every component is focused on performance, efficiency, and purpose. Together, they illustrate how Genesis is examining the full range of high performance—from sophisticated grand touring to relentless motorsport.”

      Similar to the regular GT, the GT3 Concept is impressive up close. The headlights positioned in the center of the bumper look striking, while the DRL light signatures at the corners give it the unmistakable Genesis aesthetic. The bold front and rear diffusers, large rear wing, and the sleek roofline distinguish it from any other vehicle on the market. When this car races, it will undoubtedly have a remarkable presence alongside the Ferraris, Porsches, and other European competitors.

      Abiteboul also explained that the GT3 Concept is a reflection of the technical regulations in this category, which served as a guiding principle for the project. Unlike the traditional approach of starting with a road car and adapting it for racing, this project was designed with performance as the priority from the outset. Naturally, a road-legal version will need to be available to comply with WEC’s or IMSA’s GT-class regulations, so this concept primarily pertains to the car's design philosophy rather than its production and development specifics.

      At the end of the presentation, Donckerwolke pointed to Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D division, and announced, “Manfred said it’s going into production.”

      The Genesis Magma Racing team, in its inaugural WEC season this year, earned points in just its second race and secured respectable qualifying spots of sixth and ninth for Saturday’s 24-hour event.

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Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car. Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car. Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car. Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car.

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Genesis is entering GT3 racing, and here’s the concept of its race car.

Although the press release markets the Magma GT3 as an exploratory concept, the live introduction by Luc Donckerwolke and Cyril Abiteboul positioned it as a tangible reality.