Genesis has provided the first glimpse of its LMDh race car, as well as a hint at where it will compete.
The luxury brand recently posted a teaser sketch on its Instagram page, which was reposted by the official page of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). LMDh cars are currently eligible for the WEC Hypercar class, as well as the GTP class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Genesis hasn’t said which series it plans to race in, but this is at least an indication that WEC organizers expect to see the brand on their grid.
Genesis Magma lineup – 2024 New York Auto Show
LMDh is also eligible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the highlight of the WEC calendar. If it enters the classic French endurance race, Genesis would be competing for an overall victory, which would be a historic event for a Korean automaker.
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When it announced the LMDh program in September, Genesis said the program would help development of future technology for road cars, while also promoting the brand in a performance light. That’s become a higher priority for Genesis as it prepares to launch its Magma performance sub-brand.
Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo concept
LMDh mandates hybrid powertrains with a common hybrid system, but constructors have a lot of freedom when it comes to the internal-combustion component of the powertrain. Maximum output is limited to 670 hp, though, and rules require use of chassis from one of four suppliers (Oreca, Dallas, Ligier, and Multimatic) to keep costs down. Constructors can apply their own styling to these chassis, and Genesis already as a likely template in the form of its X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo concept.
Hyundai Motorsport, which manages the automaker’s current motorsport efforts in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and various touring car series, will oversee the Genesis LMDh program. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville just won the 2024 WRC Drivers’ championship, but the team did not repeat its Manufacturers’ title wins from 2019 and 2020.