Exclusive: Is The Genesis Magma GT Just A C8 Corvette Underneath?

Plus, evidence suggests that the X Skorpio concept may be a Rally Fighter. We investigate the brand’s latest concept cars.

Genesis Magma GT C8 Corvette

Photo by: Ralph Hermens | Motor1

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Updated: Feb 10, at 9:52am ET

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Update: The original version of this claimed that Local Motors only produced 50 Rally Fighters, while that number is actually closer to 100. We've also added details clarifying the position of the exhaust manifold for the X Skorpio and Rally Fighter.

Update 2: This story has been updated with a statement from a Genesis spokesperson in Korea.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Most of the concept cars you see on auto show floors don’t actually run or drive. They’re typically just exterior shells with no powertrain, no suspension, and largely, no chance of reaching production.

There are outliers, of course; some automakers go so far as to fit their concepts with tiny engines or batteries so that they can at least move under their own power. But building a concept from the ground up with a fully functional powertrain and a working suspension takes time and money.

Genesis knows this all too well. The company has been on a streak lately, debuting nearly a dozen concept cars in the last 12 months alone. Most of them were design shells, but at least two of those concepts had actual working powertrains.

The Magma GT envisioned a mid-engined sports car, while the X Skorpio imagined a sporty off-roader. Genesis hinted at a powerful combustion engine for the Magma GT and a V8 for the X Skorpio. During their launches, both cars were filmed moving under their own power.

But here’s the thing: those two concept cars may not be exactly what they seem.

Genesis Magma GT Concept

Genesis Magma GT Concept

Photo by: Genesis

A source close to the matter tells us that Genesis may have simply added its own designs to already existing chassis. The Magma GT is allegedly a C8 Corvette in Genesis clothing, while the X Skorpio is either a rebodied trophy truck or a reworked Local Motors Rally Fighter.

We were admittedly skeptical at first—why would a large auto brand like Genesis simply rebody a C8 and try to pass it off as its own thing? But once we started digging, there was plenty of evidence to back up those claims.

The Magma GT is allegedly a C8 Corvette in Genesis clothing, while the X Skorpio is either a rebodied trophy truck or a reworked Local Motors Rally Fighter.

Other than the basic mid-engine shape, the Magma GT doesn’t immediately scream C8 Corvette. But look closer. The first major giveaway is the tires; on every production Corvette, you’ll see the phrase "TPC Spec." What does that mean?

TPC stands for Tire Performance Criteria. These tires were developed by General Motors, together with Michelin, to meet the C8 Corvette’s specific performance needs. You’ll see them on every C8, from the base model to the latest ZR1 and ZR1X.

Look closely, and you’ll notice those very same TPC tires on the Genesis Magma GT, too. Granted, Genesis could have plucked them off the shelf and put them on its own concept—anyone can—but it would be an odd coincidence. The size of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2R tires also matches up with the Z06 and Z06 with the Z07 package: 275/30ZR20 up front and 345/25ZR21 in the rear.