Korean luxury marque Genesis is making its first appearance at the home of Australian motorsport in less than a month, and it’s bringing back a driver instrumental in one of the most iconic images in local racing history.
At the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race, Genesis will be displaying its X Gran Berlinetta concept both in the paddock and on track, and brand ambassador Jacky Ickx is set to be behind the wheel.
The 80-year-old Belgian won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times and scored eight Formula 1 Grand Prix victories, however he’s best known to Australian motorsport fans for his efforts at Bathurst.
Mr Ickx was the co-driver for Allan Moffat in the 1977 Bathurst 1000, piloting a Ford Falcon XC Hardtop. The pair won the race ahead of team-mate Colin Bond, who crossed the finish line side-by-side in an iconic form-finish.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Mr Ickx hasn’t returned to Mount Panorama since October 1977, and his first laps around the 6.213km circuit will be aboard the Genesis concept car, which the brand says will be a “spirited demonstration”.
It’s the first time the X Gran Berlinetta will be seen driven in anger globally. Genesis has previously claimed the car’s V6 engine can rev to 10,000rpm, and produce up to 799kW and 1337Nm with assistance from an electric motor.
Genesis hasn’t made any official comments on its intentions to put the X Gran Berlinetta into production. Likewise, it has remained mum about the production prospects of its X, X Convertible or X Speedium two-door concepts.
It has however confirmed it’ll put the GV60 Magma – a hotter version of its electric SUV – into production this year, and the upcoming model will also take to Mount Panorama.
Tech specs are yet to be announced, though it’s expected the GV60 Magma will share the powertrain of the related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT, which would mean at least 478kW and 770Nm from a dual-motor setup.
The preview of Genesis’ rapid models comes after Hyundai’s luxury brand announced it’ll compete in LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) from 2026 with the GMR-001 Hypercar, before expanding into the North American IMSA endurance series in 2027.
MORE: Hyundai’s luxury brand enters motorsport world with Genesis Magma Racing
MORE: Genesis locks in timing for red-hot electric performance SUV
