Hyundai has officially unveiled its new LMDh prototype, the Genesis GMR-001, at an event marking the start of a new era for the brand in the world of endurance racing. With an attractive black-gray design accented with orange, this vehicle is set to debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026, aiming to secure Hyundai’s first victory at the famed Le Mans 24 Hours.
Before this milestone, the GMR-001 will undergo its first focused test during the 6-hour race at Imola, which will serve as a true trial by fire following an intense six-month testing program.
A Meticulous Development
Since its presentation at the Paul Ricard Circuit in late August 2025, the GMR-001 has gone through seven testing sessions over seven months. Andre Lotterer, who joined the project in December 2024, described the building process as a key moment in his career, highlighting that “we practically started from scratch.”
This prototyping has utilized a 3.2-liter bi-turbo V8 engine and an Oreca chassis, making it the third vehicle in the LMDh category to use the foundation from this French manufacturer, alongside the Acura ARX-06 and Alpine A424.
Receiving Endurance Tests
After the initial tests at the Paul Ricard Circuit, the GMR-001 simulated an endurance marathon at the Algarve Circuit for over 30 hours. “It was impressive to see the reliability it demonstrated,” commented Dani Juncadella, a new team member during these tests.
The main focus of these tests has been software optimization, a key factor in LMDh competitions. Lotterer emphasized the importance of mastering torque sensors to stay within the 520 kW power limit, noting that “software is crucial in this championship.”
How It Compares to Other Vehicles
Lotterer, a veteran of the Porsche 963, made an interesting comparison between the two design philosophies. The GMR-001 offers a different driving experience: “It’s more precise and gives greater confidence,” he stated. Mathieu Jaminet, who also comes from Porsche, added that despite the restrictive regulations, the GMR-001 has clear strengths they are working to perfect.
Expectations and Goals
As the competition in Imola approaches, the team shares a sense of anticipation. Pipo Derani has described the journey as “climbing Everest,” while Paul-Loup Chatin acknowledged that it would not be realistic to expect immediate domination. Still, the goal for the first race is to finish without major issues. Lotterer concluded on a humble note, assuring that “a great season would mean finishing the first race without incidents.”
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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