Genesis Magma GT Concept is an unexpected twin-turbo V8 supercar

Well, this is an unexpected development. Genesis – Hyundai’s luxury division, previously best known for plush saloons and chrome-heavy SUVs – is preparing to launch its own supercar. Better still, it will use a twin-turbo V8 engine.

Have we somehow nodded off and emerged in the 1990s? If that is the case, please let us stay in this Golden Era a little longer.

Genesis Magma performance plans

Sadly not: it is still 2025, but Genesis is entirely serious. During the launch of its Magma performance range at Circuit Paul Ricard, the company revealed further details of the GMR-001 hypercar it is developing for Le Mans, before uncovering the production-ready GV60 Magma.

While the latter is, in effect, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N wearing a very orange outfit, this unexpected supercar – presented in Steve Jobs fashion by design chief Luc Donckerwolke, with throaty revs and wheelspin included – is a wholly bespoke creation. It also looks exceedingly cool.

Genesis says the Magma GT Concept shown here will be “the halo model guiding Genesis’ long-term performance strategy, including future GT racing ambitions”. Donckerwolke subsequently told TG that he intends to move Genesis into customer GT3 racing. That requires a suitable car: one capable of taking on the Ferrari 296 and McLaren Artura, and therefore homologated in a run of at least 200 examples. The road to homologation begins with a concept, and this is it.

Twin-turbo V8 hybrid power

Donckerwolke also confirmed the car will employ Genesis’s 3.2-litre twin-turbo V8, created by joining together two 1.6-litre four-cylinder Hyundai rally engines, which will also power its Le Mans Hypercar. The competition machine will rely on that engine alone, whereas the road-going version will receive a hybrid system à la the Artura and 296; both of those cars also shed their electric assistance when they go racing.

Magma GT Concept design and GT3 ambitions

Luc told us the styling has not yet been completely finalised, although most of the current appearance will make it to production. That is welcome news, as it is a genuine beauty. It features scissor doors, bulging rear wheel arches and an engine positioned immediately behind a ‘boat-tail’ cabin, which narrows towards the rear to create a properly rapid-looking profile. We are particularly fond of the dive planes built into the headlights, too. They may prove slightly costly for GT3 competition, but hopefully they will remain on the road car.

“The Magma GT Concept represents the pinnacle of our performance vision and stands as a symbol of our commitment to true motorsport capability,” said Donckerwolke.

“It isn’t defined by raw aggression or uncompromising speed – it is defined by balance. This is a car that feels instinctively connected to its driver, composed under pressure, and meticulously tuned so that every component serves a single purpose: to make performance effortless.

“This is not simply a faster Genesis. It is the most complete expression of Genesis performance to date.”

Genesis’s announcement a couple of years ago that it would contest Le Mans with a hypercar was surprising enough. A road-going supercar and a GT3 entry as well? We are utterly flabbergasted.