Lamborghini has revealed its first Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototype at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Dubbed the SC63, this racer will compete in the Hypercar class of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship which includes races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Endurance Cup which includes races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.
Manufacturers including Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche already have LMDh racers. Alpine recently revealed its A424 LMDh racer and like the Lamborghini SC63 it will start racing in 2024.
The Raging Bull claims testing of the SC63 will commence “within weeks”.
The Lamborghini SC63 is powered by an “all-new” 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that has been specifically developed by Lamborghini engineers for racing.
There’s also a hybrid system that comprises standardised motor generator unit (MGU) and a battery for LMDh regulations. Total system output is also limited by regulations to 500kW.
It’s unclear if the LMDh racer’s engine previews what could power the forthcoming Huracan successor.
Lamborghini has previously confirmed it will develop the new road-going model’s bespoke engine and platform independently of sister brand Audi, unlike the previous Huracan which shared its underpinnings with the Audi R8.
The Raging Bull has selected French motorsports firm Ligier to develop and build the monocoque chassis for the SC63 racer.
Lamborghini is the first manufacturer to select Ligier for an LMDh project and because of this it says it has been able to specify its requirements freely.
These elements include the development of the pushrod front suspension design, the SC63’s overall weight distribution and the ease of service for critical parts of the racer.
The Lamborghini SC63’s bodywork was designed by the company’s Centro Stile design department in conjunction with the race design team.
Some highlights of the SC63’s exterior design include the Y-shaped lighting signatures on the front and rear, the central fin, as well as the humongous rear wing.
There are a total of eight different radiators. These include two intercoolers, one gearbox radiator, one condenser for the air-conditioner, one radiator for the Energy Recovery System (ERS), one for the Energy Storage System (ESS), and two water radiators.
Lamborghini finished the SC63 in the same Verde Mantis green and Nero Noctis black livery as the Huracan GT3 racer. Italian Tricolore colours also feature, plus sponsorship decals.
Lamborghini claims to have designed and developed the SC63 racer so it can offer the “widest operating window possible”, which will optimise performance while also managing tyre wear.
As previously reported, Lamborghini plans to hybridise its entire road car range by the end of 2024.
The Raging Bull recently revealed the V12 hybrid flagship successor to the Aventador called the Revuelto.
The company is planning to introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) V8 version of the Urus SUV at the end of 2024.
Australia is expected to see the first units of the Huracan successor and Urus by 2025.
The Italian brand’s busy two years of electrification are building up to the release of its first electric vehicle (EV), a 2+2 model expected to launch in 2028.
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