Since the middle of this year, Lamborghini Squadra Corse and the Italian Iron Lynx team have been continuing development work of the SC63 LMDh racing car which will make its competitive debut at the FIA 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season-opener in Qatar next March. One car will compete in the full WEC, while a second car will race in the North American Endurance Championship races of the IMSA series.
Focus on endurance capabilities
The most recent testing has been carried out at the Circuito de Almería in Spain, with factory drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Romain Grosjean taking turns at the wheel. Reliability and procedural tests were the main objectives carried out during the three days at the 4.2-km circuit, with a focus on long runs to assess endurance capabilities.
A single chassis was used across all three days, meeting its pre-test target of nearly 2000 kms. The test also gave Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx technicians the opportunity to simulate Full Corse Yellow and related restart procedures and strategies that often characterise endurance races in preparation for next season.
“It was a very intense 3 days, but I am very happy to have been able to work the team and the car on the track for the first time. The work that has been done prior to my arrival has been very good and the car proved to be very good from the first laps. I can’t wait to put even more kilometres on it during the next tests,” said Grosjean, who drove the SC63 for the first time.
The test programme will continue in Europe this month and then the test team will move to the USA to carry out the homologation process by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) and for a series of tests on North American tracks.
New concept in racing for Lamborghini
The LMDh project represents a new concept of racing and fits the Direzione Cor Tauri strategy presented in 2021: a roadmap for electrification leading the company to hybridize the entire model range by the end of 2024.
“The SC63 is the most advanced racing car ever produced by Lamborghini and it follows our roadmap ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’ laid out by the brand for the electrification of our product range,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman & CEO. “The opportunity to compete in some of the biggest endurance races in the world with a hybrid prototype fits with our vision for the future of high-performance mobility, as demonstrated for road legal cars with the launch of the Revuelto. The SC63 LMDh is the step into the highest echelons and into the future of motorsports for our Squadra Corse.”
3.8-litre twin turbo V8
The SC63 is powered an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine that has been developed by Lamborghini engineers specifically for the racing program. The engine is a ‘cold V’ configuration, meaning that the turbos are mounted outside the vee angle of the engine which makes them easier to cool and to service.
Furthermore, the ‘cold V’ solution lowers the mass and optimizes the car’s centre of gravity. This solution, combined with a specifically developed aero balance and attitude, has been identified as the most effective to achieve the best tyre grip, and perfect balance, drivability and consistent speed both over a single lap but also across long distance races.
Maximum output of 500 kW/680 ps)
Power from the engine and the hybrid system, which is standard across the LMDh-category cars, is limited by regulation to 500 kW (680 ps). The LMDh rule set specifies a standard gearbox, battery and motor generator unit, which helps to contain the development costs for the prototype.
Under the skin, the engineers have been able to exert their influence over all aspects of the car. Although the gearbox is standard across all LMDh cars, there is still freedom to customise it to a brand’s requirements, including the selection of the gear ratios and the slip of the mechanical differential.
Partnership with Ligier
Lamborghini has selected renowned experts Ligier as its partner to develop and build the monocoque. As the first manufacturer to select Ligier on an LMDh project, there was freedom for Lamborghini to specify its requirements, including the development of the pushrod front suspension design, overall weight distribution and ease of service for critical parts of the car. The bellhousing, which fills the gap between the rear of the engine and the front of the gearbox, positively affects torsional stiffness, and has been designed to house the electrified powertrain.
“Motorsport is, to us, also a valuable and demanding proving ground for our technology,” said Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer. “The Lamborghini SC63 LMDh is an exciting challenge from both a technical and a human standpoint. The development of our internal combustion engine, aerodynamically efficient bodywork and the overall technical package is a process that has pushed us to constantly raise our own standards. Now, it is time to put the wheels in motion, literally, on track in order to be ready and competitive for the 2024 season.”
“As we develop our LMDh car, we are also mindful of the technology transfer opportunities. We will take our learning experiences from motorsport and apply them where possible to our future production cars,” he added.
