Hyundai to Enter Endurance Racing Under Genesis Brand with New Le Mans Hypercar

Over the years, Hyundai has been reshaping its image into a performance powerhouse by participating in renowned racing series like the World Rally Championship (WRC) and Touring Car Racing (TCR). This shift has paved the way for the development of numerous models under the N brand, which features high-performance hatchbacks, sedans, and even a performance electric vehicle (EV).

Hyundai Motorsport, the performance division of the South Korean automaker, has announced its entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC), an FIA series that includes the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team will compete under the Genesis brand, but the social media announcement provided no specific timeline.

What has been confirmed is that a factory team will compete in the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) category, one of two classes in the WEC’s top-tier Hypercar division, alongside LMH (Le Mans Hypercar). The key difference between the two is that LMH allows manufacturers to design and build their cars entirely from scratch.

In contrast, LMDh cars must incorporate a certain percentage of standardized components, particularly the monocoque and suspension, which are supplied by four licensed companies: Dallara, Multimatic, Ligier, and Oreca. The ‘h’ in LMDh refers to the mandatory hybrid system that all cars in this category are fitted with. Manufacturers are given the freedom to choose what sort of internal combustion engine to use but the spec hybrid system, including the gearbox, is standardized for all teams.

Genesis will be going up against race cars from Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, Alpine, and Lamborghini in the LMDh category. Reports suggest an entry will take place in 2026 but this has yet to be confirmed. The company statement reads:

“The LMDh program will add a new pillar to Hyundai Motorsport’s portfolio. Since its establishment in 2012, Hyundai Motorsport has been competing in WRC and TCR with Hyundai N brand. Genesis, the premium brand of the Hyundai Motor Group, will add endurance racing to the disciplines of its motorsport activities.”