Lamborghini Squadra Corse has gone electric with the launch of its first hybrid endurance racing prototype, the SC63, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The SC63 is set to compete in the Hypercar class of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Endurance Cup.
Entering a new concept of racing
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.
Engine developed for racing program
The SC63 features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine that has been developed 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.
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).
Besides the common powertrain, the LMDh rules specify a standard gearbox, battery and motor generator unit, which helps to contain the development costs for the prototype.
Customisation within transmission
However, 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. Lamborghini engineers have therefore been able to utilise their expertise to enhance performance in this area.
Lamborghini has selected 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 push rod front suspension design, overall weight distribution and ease of service for critical parts of the car.
Reliability crucial under all conditions
Another key aspect of development is the brake system, which must not only deliver the highest level of performance but also be reliable in all conditions throughout the long races.
Endurance racing places a lot of stress on the brakes and the first target has been to find a compromise between weight and durability, effective cooling, and also a system that is able to accommodate different styles of driving.
The bodywork has been designed by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department, in conjunction with the race design team. It features very clear brand styling cues throughout the car, including the iconic y-shaped lights at the front and rear.
One of the limitations of the regulation is that there is only one bodykit configuration allowed, and changes that teams are allowed to make to that kit race-to-race are limited.
The design team therefore has to take into account the worst-case scenario, such as high ambient temperatures, and manage the thermal efficiency of the car at both IMSA and WEC circuits.
Most advanced Lamborghini racing car
“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 and 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.”
“Motorsport is, to us, also a valuable and demanding proving ground for our technology,” added Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer “Our LMDh car, the Lamborghini SC63, 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 said.
Testing will begin soon with Italian team Iron Lynx which will run the car.
