The concept was unveiled by Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul and Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke at the Le Mans 24 Hours earlier this month, where GMR made its debut.

Abiteboul said, “The Genesis Magma GT3 Concept is one potential future direction for Genesis Magma Racing, alongside our FIA WEC Hypercar entry, as we grow to support the entire Genesis brand.

“Since the very start, we have stated that Genesis Magma Racing is a long-term project, and here we have one possible direction we can take. Like Hypercar, GT3 is another of the recent success stories in motorsport.

“Having Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing represented there would closely link the road-going and racing sides of the brand and add further to our profile in world motorsport.”

The Genesis Magma GT3 Concept has been developed in alignment with GT3 technical regulations. Conceived as an independent study, it explores how race-driven architecture, aerodynamics and engineering principles could inform future Genesis performance vehicles, rather than being derived from an existing road-going model.

More than one potential

At the press conference at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Genesis also presented an updated Magma GT Concept – first revealed in November alongside the GV60 Magma – with a redesigned interior. The GT Concept illustrated “a parallel exploration of how race-inspired thinking could translate into a refined road-going grand tourer” the auto maker said, adding that ” the two concepts highlight one potential pathway for connecting Genesis’ motorsport ambitions with its evolving performance portfolio, without confirming specific production or racing plans.”

“The Magma GT Concept and Magma GT3 Concept represent two distinct yet connected expressions of Genesis performance,” Donckerwolke said. “The Magma GT Concept embodies our vision of luxury and athleticism on the road, while the Magma GT3 Concept translates that philosophy into the race environment, where every element is driven by performance, efficiency and purpose. Together, they demonstrate how Genesis is exploring the full spectrum of high performance – from refined grand touring to uncompromising motorsport.”

Continued expansion 

After announcing last year its expansion into new markets in Italy, France, the Netherlands and Spain, the manufacturer is now preparing for further entry into Poland, Bulgaria, Austria, Portugal and Denmark as part of its European growth strategy.

Genesis also noted how its presence at the Le Mans 24 Hours has also expanded – one year after the first European presentation of the GMR-001 Hypercar design as a show car, it had returned to the Le Mans 24 Hours as a fully operational Hypercar team.

The company also showcased two evolved X Gran Convertible Concept models – originally introduced at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show – during the Drivers’ Parade in Le Mans city center on June 13. Building on the earlier concept, these latest iterations represent “refined and more visually striking evolution” that further align the model with the the Magma portfolio.

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Type 01 development has been directly inspired by technology used by the company’s Formula E team – Jaguar TCS Racing – integrating technology proven on track by the World Championship-winning all‑electric team.

The prototype’s responses have been fine‑tuned using lessons learned from Jaguar TCS Racing’s all‑wheel-drive control software and fast‑switching silicon-carbide‑powered inverters.

Regenerative braking, range and fast‑charging capability have also reportedly been enhanced using technology developed on track.

“To achieve our vision for Type 01, we not only harnessed our Formula E know‑how but also embedded the competition mindset of Jaguar TCS Racing in our engineering teams. This helped us develop innovative solutions for our luxury four‑door GT that drives like no other electric car,” said Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover.

The Type name has been associated with Jaguar since the Le Mans-winning C-Type in 1951. It represents a combination of performance and driver engagement alongside refinement, as seen in models such as the E-Type and F-Type. In Jaguar Type 01, the 0 represents electric propulsion and zero tailpipe emissions, while the 1 signifies its position as the first Jaguar of a new era. The vehicle was designed, developed and built in the UK.

Jaguar’s four‑door GT will be revealed later this year.

In related news, BMW unveils Vision BMW Alpina design study

The vehicle will be manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany. The prototype is undergoing various tests before its debut, clocking up vital test miles on snow and ice, in the wind tunnel at Audi Technical Development in Ingolstadt, and on public roads.

Cold-weather trials

During winter testing in Lapland, the A2 e-tron performed under extreme conditions, including icy temperatures, snow-covered roads and slippery test tracks on a frozen lake. The validation process at a test site in northern Sweden focused not only on driving dynamics but also on thermal management and battery performance. Engineers have developed the A2 e-tron by continuously adjusting the electric drive, brake control system and suspension by the minute.

Aerodynamic optimization

The distinctive roofline is the reason for the A2 e-tron’s excellent aerodynamics, which are constantly being tested and optimized in the wind tunnel at Audi Technical Development. With wind speeds of up to 300km/h, ultra-precise aeroacoustics measurement and a 235km/h rolling road, the wind tunnel provides ideal conditions for optimizing the airflow characteristics, noise development and thermal stability of the vehicle.

Road testing in Bavaria

The development team used the diverse conditions of the Altmühl Valley region in Bavaria, including inclines, variable road surfaces and tight bends, to test the suspension and assistance systems in real road traffic.

In related news, BMW unveils Vision BMW Alpina design study

“Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and refinement, where speed and comfort are complementary ambitions. Our role as the new custodians of this brand is to preserve this distinctiveness and shape it for a contemporary context,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “Vision BMW Alpina shows how these qualities can be expressed with discipline and modernity, suggesting what our direction is for this brand as we move it into the future.”

Interior

The six-degree speed feature line continues through the interior, dividing the darker upper segment and the lighter lower segment. Full-grain leather – sourced from producers across the Alpine region – pairs with stitching inspired by the Deco lines.

A bridge stitch inspired by historic steering-wheel hand-stitching appears sparingly in heritage blue and green colors. A beveling technique inspired by watchmaking was used for the metal components, combining satin and polished finishes. Clear-cut crystal is reserved for the controls.

BMW Panoramic iDrive, including a new passenger display, extends across the dashboard, with a digital interface developed specifically for the concept. Heritage blue and green elements are integrated into the display and become more prominent as the driver transitions from Comfort+ to Speed mode within the BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. The background imagery features a detailed representation of the Alpine landscape visible when looking south from Buchloe in Germany, where Alpina was founded.

Design and form

At 5,200mm in length, with a coupe roofline, its form is designed to convey both speed and comfort. A V8 powertrain drives the experience, tuned to produce the characteristic notes of the Alpina exhaust.

“In Vision BMW Alpina, we distil every element of the brand to its essence and apply it in a deeply modern and sophisticated way,” added Maximilian Missoni, head of BMW design – midsize and luxury cars and BMW Alpina. “Every detail reflects substance: in engineering, in materials and in the story it tells. The statements it makes are subtle and revealed only on a closer read. This interplay between purity and richness defines our approach to BMW Alpina design.”

The front end features a shark nose that reinterprets BMW’s kidney grille as a three-dimensional sculpture. From this shark nose, the exterior is organized around the speed feature line. Rising from the lower front corners at a 6° inclination, it runs along the side of the body and wraps around the rear.

Deco lines have been part of Alpina’s language since 1974. For the Vision BMW Alpina, the modernized deco lines are painted on the side of the body beneath the clear coat.

Inward-facing return surfaces are finished in a dark metallic tone, an approach inspired by the BMW 507, which uses chrome only on the inside of its kidney grilles. The inner surfaces of the shark nose incorporate a finely detailed deco-line graphic, while a concealed, softly illuminated perimeter becomes visible only when activated. The 22-inch front and 23-inch rear wheels feature the 20-spoke design that has been a constant at Alpina since 1971.

“BMW Alpina fills a gap in our portfolio between BMW and Rolls-Royce as we see even more potential in the high-end segment. With Alpina we have a strong legacy and a global community, which we want to build on while preserving the essence of what the brand stands for: speed, comfort and sophistication,” said Oliver Viellechner, head of BMW Alpina.

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The project showcases Bcomp’s ampliTex natural-fiber composites, and brings together emerging Chinese automotive designers and advanced sustainable composite technologies.

The winning concept was penned by CAA master’s student Alisson Liu (Liu Diannan/刘殿南), whose design centers on sleek lines, state-of-the-art technology and carbon neutrality. It was subsequently developed into a full-size, driveable concept show car in China in partnership with Shanghai Tianjian Industrial Design.

Gabriele Grezzana, business development manager for APAC at Bcomp, said, “Alisson Liu’s striking new concept signals a bright future for Chinese automotive design and lower-carbon materials.”

From concept to reality

Design leadership came from CAA, with Tianjian providing critical technical and manufacturing execution. Tianjian’s core role was production fabrication and engineering realization. Leveraging its proprietary digital-twin review system and full-size adjustable review fixture, Tianjian enabled thorough vehicle-level validation throughout the design phase.

The project demonstrated a collaborative and replicable model for university–industry cooperation that could be adapted by Chinese art and design institutions in their respective contexts.

Emerging automotive designers in China are increasingly aware of environmentally conscious manufacturing and are open to using lower-carbon materials. Prof. James Hope, director of the CAA Institute of Transportation Design, commented, “By providing the opportunity to use these materials in a real-world, from-zero-to-one project, we have gained the experience and expertise to specify their use with confidence, opening direct pathways to OEM design teams and partner institutes in the future. Now, the next generation of Chinese design can take sustainability even further, utilizing lower-carbon materials and understanding how they can be used at scale in automotive production.”

Bcomp’s biocomposites

The CAA Institute of Transportation Design applied ampliTex extensively throughout Revelation, including in the front bumper, rear bumper, body side skirts, seats and wheel-cover hubs. This included exposed-fiber parts, with the weave visible beneath the clear coat.

For the exterior, the team selected ampliTex in gray; for the wheel hubs, ampliTex in charcoal was used, and the parts were overpainted in black. A high-gloss clear coat accentuated the composite’s weave and tone, delivering a modern automotive finish.

AmpliTex is woven from flax fibers, a renewable material that does not compete with food crops. Compared with other high-performance composites, such as carbon fiber, it reportedly reduces cradle-to-gate CO₂ emissions by up to 85%. Once parts have reached the end of their service life, they can be used for thermal energy recovery, rather than being landfilled.

Liu said, “It has been an honor to see my concept, Revelation, come to life. My intention was to build upon fundamental principles of automotive design while embracing the electrified future and harnessing more sustainable materials. Bcomp is a pioneer and innovator in this area, taking sustainable composites from a niche technology to mainstream automotive production. We used ampliTex for many of the surfaces on Revelation, and the result is very impressive.”

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“The T.50s is the most engaging car I’ve ever drive,” said Franchitti. “For pure fun factor, it surpasses all other track-only models, my favourite supercars of all time, and even the race cars I drove to multiple world championship wins. Gordon set out to create the greatest on-track driving experience ever. The team has more than delivered. The feedback, responsiveness, performance, sound, visibility, braking, stability … everything … it’s just perfect.”

The Bahrain circuit was chosen for its extreme thermal and mechanical stresses, enabling engineers to evaluate braking performance, tire wear, low-grip handling and high-speed stability. During testing, the T.50s reached 184 mph, experienced 2.7g lateral acceleration in corners and endured 3g longitudinal forces under braking. The lap demonstrated the production-readiness of the car and confirmed that aerodynamic and chassis setups met GMA’s specifications.

Professor Gordon Murray, CBE, executive chairman, Gordon Murray Group, said, “This car was never about setting lap times. We simply designed the lightest, optimally powered, most driver-centric track car possible – with the right formula, speed comes naturally. T.50s is designed from the ground up to deliver the greatest possible on‑track driving experience, without compromise.”

Each T.50s is named in tribute to one of Murray’s first 25 Grand Prix victories, with the Niki Lauda model honoring the three-time Formula 1 World Champion. The car is powered by a bespoke 3.9-liter Cosworth GMA V12 producing 772ps at 11,500rpm, with revs up to 12,100rpm. A six-speed paddle-shift Xtrac gearbox, central driving position and fully adjustable aerodynamic package generating up to 1,200kg of downforce combine with a carbon-fiber monocoque and unique race-optimized systems to deliver an immersive track-focused experience.

“Naming the car after Niki was deeply personal. He was a great friend and a remarkable racing driver, and I believe he would have appreciated the purity, focus and engineering integrity that define the car we named in his honour,” said Professor Murray.

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The fully electric drivetrain provides long-range, high-charging performance with 800V technology and efficient energy recuperation, making the BMW M Neue Klasse a versatile everyday vehicle. Its newly developed architecture, featuring centrally controlled individual wheel drive, reportedly opens a new dimension in driving dynamics and enhances the safety of all next-generation BMW M vehicles.

The Neue Klasse’s advanced central control and electronics architecture also improves the driving dynamics. Four high-performance computers, called Superbrains, manage driving functions, automated driving, infotainment and comfort features. This setup enhances performance through faster data exchange and allows next-generation BMW M models to receive quicker updates and upgrades.

BMW M eDrive concept

The BMW M Neue Klasse has been developed from the ground up. At the core of the new architecture is BMW M eDrive, which is based on the BMW Gen6 technology of the Neue Klasse.

BMW says that M Dynamic Performance Control, using M-specific Heart of Joy software, enhances driving dynamics, safety, traction, recuperation and responsiveness.

The Neue Klasse features two electric drive units on the front and rear axles, each with one electric motor per wheel. Each of the four electric motors drives one wheel. This combines the advantages of rear-wheel and all-wheel drive while enhancing driving dynamics on the road and racetrack. Additionally, the front axle can be completely decoupled.

BMW M eDrive’s electric drive units are BMW M’s most powerful, with parallel motors powering each wheel via dedicated gearboxes. The drive units also integrate the inverter for controlling the electric motors and the oil supply. The system enables precise control of torque and power at each wheel, enabling optimal traction, continuous torque distribution between the braking system and electric motors, and brake energy recuperation right up to the limit.

High-voltage battery

The high-voltage battery, boasting over 100kWh of usable energy as the powerhouse for the BMW M eDrive system, has been adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles.

With a focus on compatibility with both road and racetrack use, BMW’s Design to Power approach uses a performance-optimized Gen6 cylindrical cell with an enhanced cooling system and the Energy Master control unit, enabling higher power outputs for road and track use. With BMW M-specific solutions, the Gen6 high-voltage battery in the fully electric high-performance models delivers even greater peak and charging performance. Additionally, within the Gen6 technology, the Neue Klasse models offer the highest recuperation values. The high-voltage battery housing also serves as a structural component of the vehicle and is connected to the front and rear axles. The resulting higher stiffness leads to improved driving dynamics.

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Kumho Tire expects that using driving simulators in R&D will reduce the time and cost of vehicle testing and prototype production, allowing more precise and efficient performance evaluation from the early stages of development.

Kim Youngjin, executive vice president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, said, “This will serve as an opportunity to advance our research and development paradigm to be more digitally focused. By actively utilizing advanced simulation technology, we will introduce high-performance, high-value-added products optimized for the future mobility environment, and continuously strengthen our competitiveness in the global market.”

Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion, added, “Tire development has entered a new phase where virtual testing complements and accelerates physical evaluation. Our Delta S3 Spin DIL simulator will enable Kumho Tire to investigate solutions for the next generation of tires in an environment that enables its engineers to be engineers – without the time and costs associated with traditional prototyping rounds.”

Ansible’s Delta S3 Spin DIL simulator replicates road driving conditions and enables virtual testing of vehicle dynamics, driving safety and ride comfort. It features the company’s six-degrees-of-freedom Stratiform motion system with infinite yaw, combined with a 360° wraparound projection and interchangeable vehicle cabins for a fully immersive lab environment. It provides 1:1 cueing in combined lateral and yaw situations, simulates road disturbances and integrates with leading tire modeling software. Its open software architecture and 5 × 5m scalable ground plane allow upgrades and integration with external systems such as HIL rigs and advanced vehicle models, ensuring long-term value for evolving tire testing needs.

DIL simulators enable detailed digital analysis of tires, including tread design, carcass construction and compound composition, while capturing real-time feedback from human drivers. By linking virtual and physical testing, Kumho Tire aims to refine predictive models and improve the accuracy of simulation-to-road correlations.

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“Vision Iconic embodies our vision for the future of mobility. With groundbreaking innovations such as neuromorphic computing, steer-by-wire, solar paint and Level 4 highly automated driving, along with state-of-the-art technology, we are setting new standards for the electric and digital age. This beautiful vehicle is a testament to our commitment to making the mobility of tomorrow a reality today,” said Markus Schäfer, member of the board of management and chief technology officer, development and procurement, at Mercedes‑Benz Group.

Exterior reimagining

The Vision Iconic features Mercedes-Benz’s ‘iconic grille,’ with a modern take on the brand’s classic design that combines a chrome frame, smoked-glass lattice and contour lighting, merging heritage with digital styling, and featuring an illuminated star on the hood.

Hyper-analog

“Our Vision Iconic is more than just an automobile – it is a sculpture in motion, a homage to timeless elegance and a statement for the future. The symbiosis of traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology and an unmistakable design language makes it the ultimate expression of value, prestige and grace: the most beautiful, most prestigious kind of thing,” commented Gorden Wagener, chief design officer at Mercedes-Benz Group.

The Vision Iconic’s interior blends art deco elegance with modern craftsmanship. Its centerpiece, a floating glass ‘zeppelin’, which the auto maker says, showcases intricate detailing and a seamless mix of analog and digital design.

The instrument cluster features a cinematic, entirely analog animation inspired by high-end chronographs and the pillar-to-pillar screen concept blends technology seamlessly into the interior. At the center, one of the four clocks is shaped like the brand logo and doubles up as an AI companion.

Behind the zeppelin, a mother-of-pearl inlay extends across the cabin and doors around the brass handles. A deep blue velvet bench seat is fitted for the driver and passenger, enhancing the sense of shared comfort and understated luxury.

A four-spoke steering wheel combines sportiness and elegance, featuring a glass-encased Mercedes-Benz logo. The floor’s handcrafted straw marquetry, in a fan-shaped art deco motif, has been produced using a decorative art process that dates back to the 17th century.

Neuromorphic computing and ADAS tech

Future Mercedes-Benz models like the Vision Iconic will feature more and more autonomous driving capabilities and increasing energy demands that make efficiency critical. Mercedes-Benz is exploring neuromorphic computing, which mimics the human brain to process AI tasks up to 10 times more efficiently and in a manner that is 90% less energy-intensive than current systems. This technology could enhance safety features by improving the recognition of traffic signs, lanes and other road users, even in low-visibility conditions.

The Vision Iconic comes standard with Level 2 point-to-point urban driving capabilities, enabling precise handling of complex city traffic with cooperative steering and acceleration. Mercedes-Benz says the next step will be to equip future models with Level 4 highly automated driving technology.

Solar coating for more range

Mercedes-Benz is also developing ultra-thin solar modules that can be applied directly to a vehicle’s body like a coating. The photovoltaic-active surface adapts to different materials and the company says that this could generate enough energy for up to 12,000km per year under ideal conditions on a car the size of a mid-size SUV (11m2 ). Free of rare earths and silicon, the recyclable coating achieves 20% efficiency and continues producing power even when the vehicle is switched off.

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The Future of Automotive Testing Conference

This day of high-level content will explore various topics and provide an engaging opportunity to learn from and connect with industry peers. Situated among the exhibits, it will have a relaxing atmosphere, and visitors will be able to dip in and out at their leisure. A highlight will be ATTI’s on-stage interview with Jon Quigley, who worked for Volvo for many years and now runs his own company, Value Transformation. With his broad experience and portfolio of contacts, he’s a very good person to know. He loves sharing his thoughts, too, hence his new gig as ATTI’s regular columnist.

Read Quigley’s latest column on p36 of the September issue.

Also during the conference, Venkat Adusumalli, software engineering manager at Stellantis, will reveal how Stellantis is using AI to accelerate E/E system testing and validation workflows. Click here for a pre-show interview with him.

Innovation Showcase

The free-to-attend Innovation Showcase also provides an interactive platform for learning about new technologies. Speakers will welcome questions and discussion after their presentations, making it a great way to explore ideas together. Like the conference, it will take place within the main hall, so it will be very easy to listen in while wandering through the exhibits, or to come and go throughout the day.

Technology debuts

The industry is moving quickly and it can be a challenge to keep up. Every year there is an abundance of new technologies on display. Some are incremental improvements to existing products, others are entirely new. It’s always surprising how companies find ways around bottlenecks. Often, these developments emerge from ongoing conversations between supplier and customer, ultimately benefiting multiple companies.

Read ATTI‘s comprehensive expo preview in the September issue.

Face-to-face discussions  

It sounds obvious, but the most fruitful conversations are usually the ones that happen in person – it’s how journalists find the best stories. Year after year, exhibitors and visitors report having forged unexpected collaborations at the show, in the form of technology tie-ups or service partnerships.

Detroit’s revival 

A lot of money has been plowed into Detroit in recent years, as evidenced by the stunning renovation of Michigan Central Station, which is well worth a visit. Much of the investment has been in the tech sector. Eleven years ago – when the station was still derelict – ATTI took a tour of some of the labs at GM and what was then the FCA headquarters (see The right wave length, November 2014, Seasonal highlights, September 2015, and Powerbase, March 2015). The facilities were impressive then and are even more so now, thanks to several years of investment in innovation leading to Detroit’s resurgence as an automotive powerhouse.

Visit the Automotive Testing Expo North America website to secure your FREE pass, which will give you access to the expo, the Future of Automotive Testing Conference and the Innovation Showcase