by Michael Gauthier
- Genesis unveiled the Magma GT concept for its 10th anniversary.
- A mid-rear layout hints at a V8, though company withheld details.
- Luc Donckerwolke called it the pinnacle of Genesis’ performance vision.
Genesis has thumbed their nose at the Los Angeles Auto Show by introducing a jaw-dropping Magma GT concept at a special event in France. It celebrates the brand’s 10th anniversary and is being billed as “far more than a design study.”
Envisioned as their “first pure sports car,” the Magma GT has a stylish shark nose front end with a prominent splitter. Designers also gave the car a wide intake with an eye-catching G-Matrix pattern.
More: Something Big Is Coming From Genesis And It Might Have Over 1,000 HP
Genesis’ trademark twin-line headlights have also been reimagined as they incorporate subtle canards at the outside edges. This is an interesting and functional touch, which clearly shows someone was thinking.
Moving further back, we can see a ventilated clam shell hood, butterfly doors, and blacked out A-pillars that create the effect of a wraparound canopy. The concept also sports streamlined bodywork, flush-mounted door handles, and a “boat-tail cabin” that narrows towards the rear.
That’s just the tip of a very sporty iceberg as the concept has front fender vents and muscular rear haunches. They’re joined by lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system.
The rear end is dominated by a ventilated fascia with a full-width light bar and illuminated Genesis badging. Designers also gave the car a pronounced diffuser and a center-mounted exhaust that is broken up into three sections.
Genesis was tight-lipped on details, but confirmed the concept has a mid-rear engine layout. It presumably uses a V8, although that’s just speculation at this point.
Genesis President and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke remarked, “The Magma GT concept represents the pinnacle of our performance vision and stands as a symbol of our commitment to true motorsport capability.”
He added the car “feels instinctively connected to its driver, composed under pressure, and meticulously tuned so that every component serves a single purpose: to make performance effortless.”
Production Model Inbound?
While the concept looks like a flight of fancy, Genesis implied it could eventually spawn a production model. As they noted, the car “visually and philosophically encapsulates what Genesis aims to achieve as it enters the motorsport arena and looks to expand its high-performance portfolio.”
The automaker added the concept “aligns closely with the performance roadmap” that was introduced in September, which called for a “performance icon, or halo car.” Genesis went on to suggest this flagship sports car could spawn a racing variant.