New Genesis Magma GT concept previews mid-engined supercar

Genesis has revealed a new mid-engined Magma GT Concept that previews a future road-going “pure sports car” set to be launched sometime after 2027 – and which will spawn a full range of variants.

Described as the “clearest expression year” of the Korean brand’s commitment to performance, the new concept was unveiled at the official launch of the new GV60 Magma, the first in a line of ‘luxury high-performance’ machines that the brand will launch in the coming years.

Genesis creative chief Luc Donckerwolke said that the model “represents the pinnacle of our performance vision and stands as a symbol of our commitment to true motorsport capability”.

He added that the car, which will pitch the brand into competition with the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, was “not simply a faster Genesis” but “the most complete expression of Genesis performance to date”.

Donckerwolke confirmed that the car shown featured a V8 engine, but said it had not been confirmed what powertrain the eventual production version will use – partly because that will be determined by the requirements of the GT3 racer. But Donckerwolke did confirm that the car shown was the "base car" ands that a full line-up of variants would eventually follow.

"We’ll start with the base car and then add an S, GTS, roadster, lightweight, club sport, a GT3 road car, a GT3 R for track use – it’s a complete lifecycle of products that will combine performance and luxury inside," said Donckerwolke. Asked if the Porsche 911 was a reference point Donckerwolke said that it was – but purely in terms of lifecycle management of a wide range of variants.

While GT3 racing regulations require 250 road legel versions of a car are built for homologation purposes, Donckerwolke said that the Magma GT would be offered in greater volume – and it will be purely a Magma model. He added: "The car is born for from from the needs to be competitive in GT3, but we saw the opportunity to create a business case out of it."

Manfred Herrer, the technical chief for the Hyundai Motor Group, confirmed to Autocar that the Magma GT project was being "really dedicated" to Genesis, because the requirements for it to be used as the basis for a GT3 racer meant it was "unique", particularly with regard the engine. 

Genesis will also enter motorsport this year with an entry into the World Endurance Championship with a Le Mans hypercar.

It will join the US-based IMSA Championship in 2027 with its LMDh car – and has indicated that it will expand its motorsport commitment with a GT3 programme sometime after that. That would hint at a likely arrival for the Magma GT of 2027 or 2028.