Legendary racer Jacky Ickx is set to return to Mount Panorama, rekindling memories of his 1977 Bathurst 1000 triumph, piloting the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta concept for its global racetrack debut at the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race later this month.
The striking X Gran Berlinetta, part of Genesis’s high-performance Magma sub-division, will hit the famous Aussie circuit during demonstration laps, showcasing its design and performance pedigree. First introduced at the 2023 Gran Turismo World Finals in Barcelona, the concept car has since become a virtual favourite in the popular racing game series. Its Bathurst debut marks its first appearance in real-world action.
Joining the X Gran Berlinetta will be the Genesis GV60 Magma Concept, fresh from its class victory at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The GV60 Magma will enter production this year as the first Magma model to be made available to customers.
Genesis has also announced plans to expand into endurance racing, targeting the World Endurance Championship in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2027. Competing in the elite LMDh sports prototype category, the brand will take on events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing its “Athletic Elegance” philosophy to the global stage for the first time.
As for Jacky Ickx, he says Mount Panorama is one of the world’s great motor racing venues. He won the Bathurst 1000 co-piloting a Ford XC Falcon V8 with Alan Moffatt. In a statement, he said:
“What I loved the first time was the atmosphere of Bathurst, it’s very special. The people are really passionate for motor racing. The success of the event is created by the public and the spectators and that was what was so nice about Bathurst. I can’t wait to put the incredible Genesis X Gran Berlinetta through its paces, for all the world to see.”
The 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour event will take place over January 31 to February 2.
