Lamborghini’s LMDh Prototype Racecar Tech Specs Reveal V8 Twin-Turbo Hybrid Engine
Engine in the new LMDh Prototype car is the first racing engine fully developed by Squadra Corse.
Lamborghini is getting serious about racing. They have been successful recently in GT racing, but are looking to take the next step up. The Lamborghini Squadra Corse crew is developing a new LMDh Prototype racecar that will compete in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship. It will also run in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Thanks to the Lamborghini Twitter account we recently got a teaser shot of what the car will look like. But even more interesting Lamborghini revealed the technical specifications of the new racecar. The headline there is the V8 twin-turbo hybrid engine. It is the first time Squadra Corse has ever fully developed a racing engine.
The internal combustion engine was fully developed by Squadra Corse; however, the Energy Recovery System (ERS) was a group effort. The electric motor (MGU) was developed by Bosch Motorsport. Power management and energy storage is supplied by Williams Advanced Engineering. The seven-speed P1359 hybrid gearbox was developed by Xtrac. The goal is to have this car fully developed and ready to race in the 2024 season.
LMDh Prototype Specs
A great day for competitive racing. Lamborghini’s LMDh prototype vehicle tech specifications have been revealed. Let’s just say we can’t wait to see it on the asphalt.#Lamborghini #Lamborghinisc #IMSA #WEC@LamborghiniSC @IMSA @FIAWEC
— Lamborghini (@Lamborghini) September 19, 2022
Lamborghini is known for building wild cars for the street. However, the world of racing is tightly regulated. Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) limit the combined output of the engine and hybrid power unit to 681 horsepower. To help achieve this is the internal combustion engine. It will be an 8-cylinder, 90-degree V-angle twin-turbo. Per regulations the car will weigh 2,270 pounds without fuel or driver. It will be 78.74-inches wide and 200.78-inches long. The wheelbase will be 123.94-inches. Per regulations the engine must weigh at least 396 pounds. The car is expected to have a top speed of 211 mph.
Construction
We know the specs and the engine details, but what about the actual body of the car? The spine of the car was engineered together with Ligier Automotive. Carbon fiber elements are produced in Italy by HP Composites, who have been a long-term partner with Squadra Corse in the GT3 and Super Trofeo series. The partnership with Ligier Automotive is a new one for the LMDh project. They bring years of experience as a chassis provider to Lamborghini.
Drivers
If you were hoping to get a shot a driving one of these amazing Lamborghini LMDh prototype racecars, we have bad news. It seems the driver lineup is already set. Factory drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Mirko Bortolotti have the job as both the racing drivers and the test drivers during the development stage. “We are especially proud to announce Mirko and Andrea as the first drivers for the LMDh program,” commented Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini’s Head of Motorsport. “Both have contributed substantially to achieving historic results for Lamborghini in GT racing and their addition to the LMDh project also rewards their continued commitment to the Squadra Corse family. I’m sure that their talent and experience will be an added asset to our competitiveness in the premier endurance class.” It will be exciting to see what these drivers and this car can do in 2024.
Photos: Lamborghini
Join the 6SpeedOnline forums now!
