The Hyundai LMDh program has been officially confirmed to run under the manufacturer’s premium Genesis brand.
Hyundai Motorsport has made a major announcement that marks a new chapter in its motorsport journey, revealing plans to enter the world of endurance racing through a dedicated LMDh program under its premium Genesis brand.
The strategic move, confirmed on September 12, 2024, positions the South Korean manufacturer to compete at the highest levels of motorsport, specifically targeting both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
This comes after rumours that Hyundai was about to enter the elite endurance racing scene began to surface in June, when a group from the company attended the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Hyundai LMDh program is seen as a natural fit for the brand’s motorsport ambitions, allowing the brand to leverage cutting-edge racing technology to inform and inspire future road car innovations.
The LMDh category is characterized by its hybrid powertrains, which must produce a minimum of 500 kW (671 horsepower) while adhering to strict weight regulations. This necessitates a purpose-built vehicle that showcases the engineering prowess of the manufacturer.
The inclusion of hybrid technology aligns with the automotive industry’s shift towards sustainable and efficient performance, making this program particularly relevant in today’s market.
Hyundai’s commitment to developing an LMDh prototype indicates its intention to compete for overall wins rather than merely participating in class battles, a major step for a brand that has primarily focused on rallying and touring car competitions.
“Genesis is actively exploring programmes to strengthen its high-performance image, and after a thorough evaluation of various options, LMDh emerged as the most strategic choice for us at this time,” the manufacturer said in a statement.
“We have carefully analysed LMDh and found it to be a natural fit for our motorsport ambitions and a valuable platform to drive the development of future mobility technologies for road cars.
“Endurance racing presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Genesis’ cutting-edge technology, design philosophy and performance-driven character in a highly competitive arena.
“This project is part of our broader vision for the future of mobility.”
While specific details regarding the timeline and chassis partner for the Hyundai LMDh program remain undisclosed, industry insiders suggest the manufacturer has partnered with the French constructor ORECA for the design and build of its hybrid prototype.
ORECA is one of the four approved chassis manufacturers in the LMDh framework, which also includes Dallara, Ligier, and Multimatic. This collaboration is expected to provide the foundation for Hyundai’s competitive entry into endurance racing.
Hyundai’s entry into endurance racing is anticipated to unfold over several years, with a potential debut in 2026. The brand aims to compete in both the WEC and IMSA, which would allow it to participate in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
However, it remains unclear whether the Hyundai LMDh Program will pursue both championships simultaneously or focus on one at a time.
To prepare for its entry into the WEC, Hyundai is expected to participate in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2025. This strategy will allow the team to gain valuable experience with the ACO rulebook and establish a competitive foundation before tackling the more challenging WEC events.
However, Hyundai’s foray into endurance racing is not entirely unprecedented. The automaker holds a history of success in various motorsport disciplines, including the WRC, where it secured back-to-back Manufacturers’ titles in 2019 and 2020.
Additionally, the manufacturer has achieved multiple victories in TCR competitions with class victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours from 2020 to 2023, showcasing its competitive spirit and engineering capabilities.
The Hyundai LMDh Program marks the latest effort to join endurance racing’s top class through the hypercar regulations, introduced in 2021.
It will join Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Alpine, Acura and Lamborghini in racing with an LMDh hypercar, which race with pre-homologated chassis and hybrid systems, while Toyota, Peugeot and Ferrari race LMH hypercars with more open designs.
Aston Martin will become the latest manufacturer to compete with a LMH when it enters next year’s World Endurance Championship with its Valkyrie operated by the Heart of Racing team.
