Porsche has released new pictures of its 2023 LMDh Le Mans car
Porsche
Excitement is ramping up for the new era of endurance racing, with Porsche now releasing new images of its new LMDh car in testing, slated for a competitive debut in 2023.
Still in a camouflage livery, the LMDh prototype has been running at the Stuttgart marque’s Weissach test facility, with the car showing clear lineage to the LMP2 chassis its based on, built by Multimatic.
Porsche confirmed it will be using a V8 with dual turbo charging to complement a spec hybrid system, which produces 50kW (67bhp). The hybrid motor required is designed by Bosch, with Williams Advanced Engineering making the battery and Xtrac the gearbox. Combined with the motor, the complete power output put will be 500kW (680bhp).
The Porsche LMDh effort, run by American heavyweights Penske, will be entered into both the World Endurance Championship and the American IMSA series.
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche has released new pictures of its 2023 LMDh Le Mans car
Porsche
Porsche has so far named former Sauber F1 driver Felipe Nasr and American sports car race Dane Cameron as the first drivers for the LMDh programme.
Also competing in LMDh next year with Porsche will be sister brand Audi, Honda’s Acura brand, Cadillac, BMW (in IMSA) and Alpine from 2024, whilst Toyota, Peugeot, Ferrari and Glickenhaus will be in the Hypercar category, with the two classes operating under a Balance of Performance system.
New-generation LMDh cars can race at Le Mans and Daytona; in WEC and IMSA series. Here’s the latest on the rules, specs and team entries, including confirmed and rumoured manufacturers
“When choosing the engine for our LMDh prototype, we were spoiled for choice, because the product range offers several promising basic units,” head of Porsche Motorsport Thomas Laudenbach explained. “We opted for the V8 bi-turbo, which we believe offers the best combination in terms of performance, weight and cost. Starting the active testing program was an important step for the project.”
“The roll-out of the LMDh racing car was also the first track use by Porsche Penske Motorsport,” said its LMDh project manager Urs Kuratle. “The team worked well together from the start. This proves the high level of professionalism in all areas involved. Because the necessary operational requirements for the safe operation of a hybrid vehicle are very high. In the next assignments, the necessary processes and procedures can be further deepened. During these first test days in Weissach, the V8 biturbo convinced us in every respect. We are certain that we have chosen exactly the right unit.”
