Genesis Achieves Historic Le Mans Finish as First Korean Brand

Genesis has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Korean automotive brand to complete the demanding 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) team entered two of its GMR-001 Hypercars in the top Hypercar class of the prestigious event held at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. While only one of the two Genesis entries managed to cross the finish line, the accomplishment is significant as it marks a pioneering achievement for a Korean car manufacturer in this elite competition. The #19 GMR-001 Hypercar completed 372 laps, covering approximately 5,069 kilometers over the 24-hour period, ultimately securing 13th place. However, the race was not without its challenges. The #17 car was forced to retire after 16 hours of racing due to suspension damage sustained from hitting a curb. The #19 car also faced adversity, stopping on track for eight minutes and spending an additional 70 seconds in the pit lane with about 12.5 hours remaining in the race. Despite these setbacks, the team persevered to achieve the finish. This participation and the data gathered are crucial for Genesis's future. Lee Si-hyuk, Head of the Genesis Division, emphasized that the driving data and experience acquired during the race are invaluable assets not typically obtained through standard vehicle development processes. Genesis plans to incorporate this hard-won knowledge into the development of its future high-performance production vehicles. The overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans went to Toyota, which engaged in a close battle with Cadillac. This marked Toyota's sixth win at the event.

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The driving data and experience acquired during the race are invaluable assets not typically obtained through standard vehicle development processes.