Genesis has completed the build and engine start-up of the first GMR-001 Hypercar on the roadmap to debut in the 2026 FIA WEC season.
The next manufacturer to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Hypercar category successfully conducted its first build and start-up on target with their programme timeline.
They conducted the first engine start-up in February and unveiled their orange and red ‘magma’ livery adorning their two Genesis GMR-001 Hypercars next year.
“In a project like this, you have certain dates circled and this was one of them,” said team principal Cyril Abiteboul.
“The car fire-up was the GMR-001 coming to life — a huge step in the story of Genesis Magma Racing.
“To reach this point on schedule is already a huge achievement and a perfect way to start the next stage of the development process.”
Since the February start-up, the engine has undergone months of work on the dyno testing performance and efficiency.
Work began on this build immediately after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which Genesis entered in LMP2 in their ongoing partnership with IDEC Sport.
Testing development stage next for Genesis Hypercar
It took place at Oreca’s workshop, their chassis partner, close to the location of Genesis Magma Racing’s Race Base and Circuit Paul Ricard. Oreca’s experienced technicians worked with mechanics and engineers from Genesis Magma Racing during the process.
The WRC-derived 3.2L twin-turbo V8 engine ran through a rev range in each of the seven gears during the fire-up.
Engineers also tested the car’s Bosch LMDh specification hybrid system, charging the batteries from the engine and then directing the energy to the rear driveshafts.
Genesis Magma Racing’s Technical Director, FX Demaison, said: “The car build has been about bringing everything together – all the expertise we have within Genesis Magma Racing and at Oreca.”
“It’s now when we can start physically connecting all the different strands of development work that we’ve been following for the last year with our Powertrain and Design teams.
“The successful GMR-001 fire-up is confirmation of our work so far, but also the start of the next stage of the development that comes with testing.”
The first on-track running is on schedule to take place at the end of next month, August, as Genesis refines the development before the homologation stage in anticipation of 2026.
READ MORE – Hyundai targets Genesis Hypercar effort for 2026 WEC
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