Lamborghini teased its new race car for the upcoming LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) class on Tuesday.
Starting in 2024, Lamborghini Squadra Corse will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (Hypercar class) and the IMSA WeatherTeck Sports Car Championship (GTP class) with an LMDh hybrid hypercar prototype.
The teaser sketch revealed that Lamborghini will compete for overall victories in endurance races such as Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring.
The LMDh and LMH classes were established to bring together the best in worldwide sports car racing. They enable manufacturers to compete in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, using the same vehicle.
Although IMSA aims to brand LMDh as GTP, citing the class of prototypes from what was probably the sanctioning body’s first group of cars in 1980s, LMDh and LMH reflect the versions of the rules to be utilised by IMSA and the WEC, respectively.
The enigmatic teaser hints that the low-slung hypercar will be inspired by the Sián FKP 37 and the track-only Essenza SCV12, with sharp edges and Lamborghini’s signature wedge shape. With its teardrop-shaped greenhouse and enormous aero components, it may not look as extreme as the V12 Vision Gran Turismo concept from 2019, but we’re sure it’ll look just as aggressive in person.
The racecar is being designed in accordance with the new LDMh class rules. In keeping with Lamborghini’s electrification agenda, it will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. However, by the end of 2024, the Sant’Agata supercar manufacturer will have a completely electric lineup, including the plug-in hybrid successors to the Aventador and Huracan.
“This step up into the highest echelon of sports car racing marks an important milestone for our company,” Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborgthini Chairman and CEO said.
“We will be measuring ourselves against the very best, on the most demanding proving grounds.”
“On one hand, this will give our successful motorsports program even more visibility, but it will also allow us to test future technologies: our LMDh prototypes will become our most sophisticated open laboratory on four wheels.”
Lamborghini doesn’t have a long racing history, but it’s been creating a factory programme in production-based GT classes under the Squadra Corse moniker, with the Huracán winning three GTD-class races in a row at Daytona between 2018 and 2020.
The LMDh will be Lamborghini’s first factory prototype sports racer, competing alongside the GT programmes and one-make Super Trofeo series.
BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche are among the manufacturers who have committed to LMDh. The majority of manufacturers intend to release their vehicles in 2023.
Other manufacturers have chosen LMH, however they will still compete at Le Mans against the LMDh teams. Audi and Ferrari are among the most well-known brands, with the latter returning to the top category at Le Mans for the first time since 1973.
