Lamborghini has been quite busy as of late, first unveiling its new flagship, the hybrid V12-powered Revuelto, and this past weekend revealing a series of firsts: Lamborghini’s first foray into the top echelon of the FIA World Endurance Championship with its LMDh competitor, the SC63, and an all-new purpose-built racing engine that powers it (a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that is, of course, electrified, consistent with the brand’s Direzione Cor Tauri strategy for the future).
The stunning motoring event that is Goodwood’s Festival of Speed was the perfect opportunity for the prototype racer to break cover and make a huge splash. A fitting gift to itself as Lamborghini celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and the 10th anniversary of its Squadra Corse racing outfit.
The composite chassis was developed together with French sports car builder Ligier Automotive, and features perhaps the brand’s most unique visual cue: massive functional intakes on both sides reminiscent of all mid-engine Lamborghinis and pioneered by the Countach.
The all-new V8 is the firm’s newest eight-cylinder mill, a direct-injected, cold-vee design that places the twin turbos on the outboard side of the V, lowering the deck height and the center of gravity, allowing it to be placed lower onto the carbon-fiber structure. It’s all wrapped in a futuristic skin wearing Lamborghini’s Verde Mantis and black colorway.
The Sant’Agata Bolognese-based carmaker has partnered with Italian racing team Iron Lynx and its sister team Prema Racing to run a two-car effort: one for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024.
Testing will start in a few weeks, and the team has signed top-level drivers including former Formula 1 helmsmen Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat, plus accomplished sports car drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli.
Lamborghini expects the car to be ready for racing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar for the second round of the FIA WEC, and then two weeks later at the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida, USA.
After a decade of racing in GT3 classes with its Gallardo and Huracán sports cars, Lamborghini is finally ready for the top class. The 2024 season is shaping up to be sports car racing’s biggest and busiest yet with so many brands competing for gold and glory.
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