Lamborghini Tease Groundbreaking LeMans Prototype ahead of GoodWood Reveal

Lamborghini is all set to attract a maximum number of attention at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13, 2023, in honor of its 60th anniversary. Lamborghini is indeed planning a return to Endurance Racing under the factory colors, providing a race engine and chassis to the experienced Ligier team for the 2024 LeMans LMDh Racing series. Lamborghini did not officially compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a factory team. But, the private racing teams have entered Lamborghini cars into various classes of the race. So this will be the first time that Lamborghini will officially enter Le Mans,

The much-anticipated unveiling of its LMDh racing prototype will take center stage at the event. This twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid-assisted marvel demonstrates Lamborghini’s dedication to innovation. The automaker’s Squadra Corse competition division fully developed its first racing engine for this vehicle.

Although the exact output details remain under wraps, the LMDh class cars must comply with strict specific requirements. They must be at most 671 horsepower, weigh over 2,271 pounds (excluding the driver and fuel), or surpass a top speed of 211.3 mph. This ensures a balanced and thrilling race every time.

Built for Endurance Races

The production model is ready for the most grueling endurance races. With the support of a partnership with well-known chassis supplier Liger, the LMDh prototype incorporates a Bosch motor generator and a battery pack from Williams Advanced Engineering. This offers superior performance, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Lamborghini’s Grand Entry into Prestigious Global Endurance Races

The racing prototype marks Lamborghini’s entry into the globally prestigious endurance races. The vehicle will debut in the Hypercar Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship and will also participate in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Endurance Cup. This endeavor positions Lamborghini prominently in iconic racing events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Romain Grosjean: The Man Behind the Wheel

Former Formula 1 driver and current IndyCar racer Romain Grosjean will handle the vehicle. He brings vast experience and resilience to the team following his survival of a horrifying crash in Bahrain in March 2021. Grosjean made his Lamborghini debut earlier this year, finishing 24th at the 24 Hours of Daytona in a Huracan GT3 EVO2 for the Iron Lynx racing team.

Before the grand unveiling, Lamborghini will display a prototype at the Lamborghini Lounge. The company’s Chairman and CEO, Stephen Winkelman, and the technical experts behind the project will provide a detailed overview of this innovative machine at the event.

Could the same V8 Hybrid power Lamborghini’s Upcoming PHEV products?

Lamborghini hinted that a twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid engine would power their prototype, though we’re not exactly sure yet. Does this hint suggest that Lamborghini might be testing their newly developed V8 hybrid powertrain under the skin of their new prototype? Lamborghini plans to use endurance races to further test and rectify the engine’s shortcomings before incorporating this newly developed powertrain into their upcoming PHEV product lineup. This includes the successor to the Huracan and the Urus PHEV. The decision is yours to make.

The Revuelto, Sterrato, and Urus Performante will make special appearances

However, the LMDh prototype isn’t Lamborghini’s only star at the Goodwood show. They will also introduce the all-new Revuelto, the brand’s first V12 super sports plug-in hybrid and the successor to the Aventador. The off-road, V10-powered Huracan Sterrato with a unique Rally mode will also participate in the hill climb at Goodwood. The robust and stylish Urus Performante will join them as well.

From July 13 to 16, festival-goers can witness the future of Lamborghini as the Revuelto, Sterrato, Huracan Tecnica, and Huracan STO will be on exhibition outside the Lamborghini Lounge.

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed stands to be a milestone event for Lamborghini. The brand marries its celebrated heritage with revolutionary innovation in a relentless pursuit of automotive excellence. As Lamborghini starts this thrilling new chapter in endurance racing, it further cements its legacy as a pioneer in high-performance cars.