2025.05.08 GENESIS
Tribute to a Racing Icon: Genesis GV80 Desert Edition
Motorsport icon and Genesis brand partner Jacky Ickx visited the Dakar Rally with the GV80 Desert Edition.
Genesis paid the highest tribute to its brand partner and motorsport legend Jacky Ickx, racing across the Saudi Arabian desert where the 2025 Dakar Rally took place.
Jacky Ickx, a brand partner of Genesis, is a motorsports legend with a career spanning more than two decades and 14 major victories. His accomplishments include eight checkered flags and 25 podium finishes in Formula One, as well as six wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—earning him the famed title of ‘Mr. Le Mans.’
Ickx was also the champion of the 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally, a legendary off-road race known for its formidable scale and unforgiving terrain. Partnering with French actor and rally driver Claude Brasseur, he conquered a 12,000-kilometer course that began in Paris and wound through Algeria, Niger, and Mali before finishing in Dakar, Senegal. The 1983 edition is remembered as one of the most punishing in the event’s history, where unwavering determination was required merely to cross the finish line.
To commemorate Jacky Ickx’s legacy and pioneering spirit while celebrating his 80th birthday, Genesis unveiled the GV80 Desert Edition, a specially crafted tribute model timed with the 2025 Dakar Rally. Ickx also participated in the rally in Saudi Arabia as an honorary driver behind the wheel of this special GV80, marking the triumphant return of the desert-conquering motorsport legend alongside Genesis.
GV80: Embodying Jacky Ickx’s Pioneering Spirit and Passion for Adventure
Inspired by Jacky Ickx’s pioneering spirit and enduring passion for adventure, the Genesis GV80 Desert Edition was crafted to deliver Genesis’ distinctive luxury experience even under the most extreme conditions. Enhancing off-road capability while preserving the GV80’s exceptional comfort and convenience, the model embodies the spirit of refined exploration.
The development of the GV80 Desert Edition was led by Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group. With a focus on capturing Genesis’ distinctive design philosophy of ‘Athletic Elegance,’ he applied meticulous attention to detail to ensure that this spirit is embodied throughout the model.
How was the GV80 Desert Edition enhanced to conquer challenging off-road conditions? Starting with the design, the model takes inspiration from the iconic helmet Jacky Ickx wore during his racing career, featuring a Capri Blue finish accented with a white stripe pattern. The front and rear fenders have been widened to accommodate 20-inch beadlock wheels fitted with robust all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capability.
A beadlock wheel refers to a type of wheel that secures the tire to the rim using bolts around the edge, preventing separation. In desert conditions, where reducing tire pressure enhances ground contact, the risk of the tire detaching from the rim increases. Beadlock wheels allow for significant reductions in air pressure while maintaining a firm connection between the tire and the rim, making them a favored choice for off-road driving.
An LED lighting system capable of illuminating long distances was ad-ded, given the demanding nature of the Dakar Rally, where long-distance travel often extends into the darkness of night. A custom roof rack was mounted to accommodate rally essentials, including fuel cans, sandboards, and a rooftop tent. Additionally, to celebrate Jacky Ickx’s 80th birthday, the rally organizers assigned the entry number ‘E80,’ which was boldly displayed on the front doors as a tribute.
Inside, a multifunctional storage solution was installed to accommodate a first-aid kit and communication devices, along with a drawer-style cargo system for storing various repair tools. Together, these features complete a vehicle designed to deliver comfort and safety even in extreme driving conditions.
The GV80 Desert Edition is more than just a design update inside and out. It also features a suspension system capable of adjusting both ride height and damping force to better tackle rough terrains. By tailoring spring movements to driving conditions, the system not only refines ride comfort but also enhances the vehicle’s ability to navigate challenging landscapes with greater ease.
A Journey to Remember
Jacky Ickx signed the engine cover of the GV80 Desert Edition, stating, “I am proud to be a part of this remarkable project.” As an honorary participant in the 2025 Dakar Rally, he personally piloted the vehicle on a 6,000-kilometer journey from Bisha to Shubaytah.
Throughout the rally, Ickx made appearances at checkpoints to engage directly with participating drivers, generously sharing advice drawn from his vast experience. He also met with Andre Lotterer of the Genesis Magma Racing Team, exchanging insights rooted in his 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally victory.
During the mid-stage of the rally, Jacky Ickx was joined by his daughter, Vanina Ickx, herself a former racing driver. United by their racing heritage, the duo embarked on an unforgettable journey with the GV80 Desert Edition. This was not their first Dakar Rally together, as they had previously competed in the 2000 Paris-Dakar-Cairo Rally.
“The GV80 Desert Edition is truly full of curiosity, audacity, and performance. It calls for adventure, yet offers an undeniable touch of elegance and comfort,” said Vanina Ickx. “One of my most beautiful and enjoyable recent memories was spending the final days of the Dakar Rally with my father and the GV80.”
After completing a 6,000-kilometer journey, Jacky Ickx remarked, “Dakar is the perfect place to discover the newness of the GV80 that I love. Driving the GV80 Desert Edition allowed me to glimpse the infinite possibilities of Genesis.” He expressed his gratitude to Genesis for enabling his return to the Dakar Rally after 42 years and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the brand as an ambassador throughout the year.
The Start of a New Journey
Through its partnership with motorsport legend Jacky Ickx, Genesis has demonstrated its genuine commitment to expanding into the world of racing. As part of this new chapter, Genesis appointed Ickx as the official Racing Advisor for the newly launched Genesis Magma Racing team. Moving forward, he will continue to support Genesis as a brand ambassador and technical advisor, contributing his expertise to future vehicle development efforts.
Starting in 2026, Genesis will compete with two entries in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). In 2027, the brand will build on this momentum by entering two additional cars in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (WTSCC), a premier American endurance racing series sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). This marks Genesis’ full-scale entry onto the global motorsport stage, taking on legendary races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Under the guiding philosophy of ‘Hyperspeed,’ Genesis is accelerating its motorsport-focused engine and vehicle development efforts. Central to this initiative is its collaboration with world-renowned race car constructor Oreca, working together to advance a newly designed in-house V8 engine and to drive development initiatives aimed at ensuring exceptional performance and durability.
On April 15 (local time in the United States), Genesis unveiled the final design of the GMR-001 hypercar, destined to represent Genesis Magma Racing on the track and reinforcing its commitment to entering the motorsport arena. Built upon Genesis’ signature Two-Line design and enhanced with aerodynamic structures, the GMR-001 features a dynamic silhouette wrapped in Genesis Magma Racing’s colors and logos — a striking presence poised to command attention on any circuit.
Victory requires both expertise and insight. To sharpen its competitive edge, Genesis is conducting joint research and testing at a dedicated facility near Circuit Paul Ricard in France, collaborating with leading industry figures including Jacky Ickx, Genesis Magma Racing driver André Lotterer, and Pipo Derani.
Genesis is forging deeper into the world of high-performance vehicles and motorsport alongside Jacky Ickx. On this unfamiliar path, where every step demands caution, his brilliant racing career and deep experience provide unwavering support. A bold new journey, born from the partnership between Genesis and Jacky Ickx, is now about to begin.
