#class: lmdh

[carsmashorpass]

[visualvocabulary33]

[umseb]

What speaks for a Le Mans start?

Sebastian Vettel could compete in Le Mans with Porsche as early as 2024. The former Formula 1 world champion impressed in the first test. There are increasing signs of a racing comeback for the German. Porsche has postponed the planned announcement of the driver pairing of the third car for Le Mans.

Sebastian Vettel was abstinent for fifteen months. Apart from a few demonstration laps in a Williams FW14B at Silverstone and a Red Bull RB7 at the Nürburgring, the four-time world champion stayed away from the race track, but the thoroughbred racing driver regularly admitted that he misses racing. That's why his name was mentioned again and again when an attractive door opened-or seemed to open-in Formula 1, just like at Mercedes next year. The transfer of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari frees up a cockpit at Mercedes, and of course Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and Vettel were already in contact. The Heppenheimer also has his eye on the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Porsche. On March 21st, Vettel took part in the roll-out test of the third Le Mans car in Weissach. The 36-year-old shared the cockpit with Porsche works driver Laurens Vanthoor. The Belgian drove two stints of twenty laps each, after which Vettel took over the Porsche hypercar for several runs between ten and fifteen laps.

Vettel fast straight away

According to information from our sister magazine, Motorsport aktuell, Vettel was on the same lap time level as Vanthoor after just fifteen laps. First conclusion: Vettel was immediately competitive at raw speed, and he also impressed with good feedback. The second stage of the test plan was then initiated: Vettel and five other works drivers will take part in a 36-hour test at the Spanish Motorland Aragón racetrack from March 25th to 27th, which was planned as preparation for Le Mans. The test is intended to evaluate how the 53-time GP winner copes with the 700 hp LMDh car in the dark. Vettel wants to use the test to find out whether the LMDh class cars will rekindle the fire in him. With a curb weight of 1,030 kilograms, the hybrid racers are significantly heavier than a Formula 1 car and have less power, but with hybrid technology and biofuel, they fit into the green world view of the man in the cockpit. The first impression behind the wheel of the Porsche 963 already left a clear mark on the thoroughbred racing driver from Heppenheim: "I'm looking forward to testing the Porsche and have already had the opportunity to get to know the car a little in Weissach. I've always had other racing series, and my curiosity for long distances encouraged me to just give it a try. Now I'm excited about the endurance run in Aragón and am looking forward to my time behind the wheel. It will definitely take some adjustment and some getting used to, but the whole team is very open and helps me with that. We'll see what happens next. At the moment there are no further plans for the future."

Porsche postpones driver announcement

After that, at the latest, a decision must be made as to whether Vettel will be included in Porsche's Le Mans squad. The Penske team will compete at Le Mans in 2024 with three cars: the two WEC cars plus an additional 963, which so far only has Mathieu Jaminet named. The original plan was for Jaminet to share the Porsche with Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy. The trio should have been confirmed this week on Thursday, March 28, but that announcement was postponed. This suggests that there is a real chance that Vettel could still jump on the Le Mans bandwagon. The Heppenheimer is still keeping the ball low: "We'll see how things continue. At the moment there are no further plans for the future." Theoretically, it would be possible for Vettel to contest one of the two World Championship races in Imola or Spa, although not with the works cars, but with the two customer teams, Proton Competition or Jota Hertz Racing. Vettel would obviously like to drive a test race because this is the only way to optimally prepare for a race at Le Mans. As expected, there is no doubt about Vettel in terms of driving, but a test race would allow him to get a feel for the demanding traffic situation in endurance racing, where the fast hypercar top cars share the track with the much slower GT3 cars.

Further Porsche tests possible

Because of the great competition in the field, the sports prototypes are now the second most attractive racing series in the world. In Aragon, Vettel also gets to know the competition straight away. It's not just Porsche that is preparing for Le Mans. Alpine with Mick Schumacher has also registered on the Spanish route. If everything goes well, Vettel could complete a third test soon: Porsche will drive in Spa on April 5th and 6th, and there is also the possibility of another 36-hour test on April 10th and 11th at the French track Le Castellet, even if Porsche has not yet officially registered for the test. The decision on a Le Mans start must be made by mid-April at the latest. The Porsche board is said to be enthusiastic about the idea of ​​Vettel driving with Porsche at Le Mans as early as 2024.

Porsche against seven manufacturers

The Stuttgart team won the first race of the season in Qatar with the 963. The WEC is enjoying particular attention this year because eight manufacturers are represented: Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot, BMW, Cadillac, Alpine and Lamborghini. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is even more than usual one of the big motorsport highlights of the year. Another large car company, Aston Martin, is expected to join in 2025. There are persistent rumors about a McLaren entry. For Porsche, Vettel's testing is a prestigious experience. The example of Alonso at Toyota and Hülkenberg at Porsche shows what advertising value the deployment of a Formula 1 driver on foreign terrain can have. Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport, is pleased that the former champion is showing interest in Porsche's long-distance activities: "There was no question for us that we would be happy to support his request for a test opportunity and provide him with extensive preparation and sufficient time. We can certainly learn a lot from his valuable feedback. Our 36-hour endurance run with our factory drivers in Motorland Aragón offers a perfect environment for this."

[formulaphoe]

a deep dive into endurance racing

wec for beginners

image source: british gq

the fia world endurance championship (wec) is a racing discipline where speed meets strategy, and drivers push their limits for hours on end. if you're new to this exhilarating world, or if you've been following it from a distance, we're going to explore everything you need to know about this thrilling motorsport.

what is wec?

image source: dailysportscar

the wec, established in 2012, is an international series of endurance races organised by the fédération internationale de l'automobile (fia). it brings together the best manufacturers and drivers from around the globe, testing not just their speed, but also their ability to endure the grueling demands of long-distance racing. each race can last anywhere from six to 24 hours, with teams often swapping drivers and strategising pit stops to keep their cars in peak condition.

key features

endurance racing format: unlike traditional races that might only last a couple of hours, wec events are marathons. the races include the iconic 24 hours of le mans, a test of stamina, skill, and strategy, held annually since 1923. other races in the championship include six-hour events at various tracks around the world.

diverse categories: the wec features several classes of cars, including le mans prototype (lmp) and grand touring (gt) categories. each class has its own unique set of regulations and performance characteristics, making for an exciting mix on the track

global reach: the championship hosts races in various countries, providing fans with a chance to experience a multitude of different tracks and cultures. from the rolling hills of spa-francorchamps in belgium to the iconic circuit de la sarthe in france, each location brings its own challenges and charm.

evolution of wec

image source: wec-magazin

the history of the wec is a fascinating one. it replaced the previous intercontinental le mans cup and aimed to revitalize interest in endurance racing. the early years saw fierce competition, particularly in the lmp1 class, which featured powerful hybrid prototypes from manufacturers like audi, porsche, and toyota. these teams showcased cutting-edge technology, blending performance with environmental considerations.

as the years progressed, regulations changed, leading to the introduction of the le mans daytona h (lmdh) class, which aims to bring more manufacturers into the fold. this class allows for greater technical freedom while ensuring that costs remain manageable, making it more accessible for teams looking to compete at the highest level.

iconic races and legendary teams

image source: autosport

one of the standout features of wec is its iconic races. the 24 hours of le mans is undoubtedly the crown jewel, drawing massive crowds and significant media attention. winning at le mans is considered one of the highest honours in motorsport, and teams prepare for it all year round.

aside from le mans, other races like the 6 hours of silverstone and the 6 hours of fuji have become staples in the endurance racing calendar. legendary teams such as audi, porsche, and toyota have built a rich legacy in these events, each with their own stories of triumph and heartache.

the role of technology

image source: pit lane

technology plats a massive role in wec racing. cars are equipped with hybrid powertrains, advanced aerodynamics, and sophisticated data analytics. this focus on innovation not only pushes the boundaries of performance on the track, but also helps manufacturers develop technologies that can be applied to road cars too. the crossover between motorsport and everyday vehicles is a hallmark of wec's philosophy, blending sustainability with speed.

sustainability and the future

as we move towards a more environmentally-conscious future, the wec has made significant strides in promoting sustainability. with the introduction of hybrid technology and plans for fully electric racing, the championship is at the forefront of a green revolution in motorsport. this focus on eco-friendliness doesn't sacrifice the excitement and competitiveness that fans crave; instead, it enhances the sport's relevance in a changing world.

how to get involved

image source: racer

whether you're a die-hard motorsport enthusiast or a casual fan, getting involved in the wec can be incredibly rewarding. attending a race is an experience like no other. the atmosphere is electric, and the camaraderie among fans is palpable. for those who prefer to enjoy the action from home, wec races are broadcast worldwide, often featuring comprehensive coverage that highlights not just the racing, but also the stories behind the teams and drivers that make up the sport.

sources

"fia world endurance championship." fia wec, www.fiawec.com/en/

"fia world endurance championship." wikipedia, 9 aug. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIA_World_Endurance_Championship

"wec beginner's guide: about the fia wec." wec-magazin, www.wec-magazin.com/features/about-the-fia-wec/

"fia world endurance championship." federation internationale de l'automobile, www.fia.com/events/world-endurance-championship/season-2023/fia-world-endurance-championship

"the world of wec: a beginner's guide to endurance racing." circuit of the americas, 1 sept. 2023, www.circuitoftheamericas.com/blog/2023/9/1/the-world-of-wec-a-beginners-guide-to-endurance-racing/

"history of the wec." wec-magazin, www.wec-magazin.com/features/history-of-the-wec/

if any errors or typos are noticed, PLS PLS point them out via comment, ask, or dm. if there is a specific topic you would like me to cover, send in an ask and i'll look into it!

[motorspexx]

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is by far the most prestigious event in endurance racing. For 2025, the Hypercar category brings together the most advanced hybrid prototypes ever developed, with entries from global manufacturers under two distinct rule sets: Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh).

These are the top contenders for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, machines that represent the forefront of hybrid endurance racing technology.

The BMW M Hybrid V8. Built under LMDh rules, it features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a standardized hybrid system. Power is electronically capped at 680 horsepower, as per class regulations. Built on a Dallara chassis, BMW joined the WEC in 2024, aiming for overall victory in 2025.

The Ferrari 499P, a factory-built LMH car. It uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 mid-mounted, coupled with a front-axle hybrid motor for all-wheel drive. Like all entries in this category, it produces a combined 680 horsepower. After winning Le Mans in 2023, Ferrari remains a key contender.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH enters in 2025. Based on the road-going Valkyrie, it features a high-revving 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 developed by Cosworth and a hybrid system. Despite the unique powertrain, total output stays within the regulated 680 horsepower limit.

Porsche’s 963 runs under LMDh regulations. It uses a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 derived from the RS Spyder, paired with a spec hybrid system, delivering a combined 680 horsepower. The chassis is supplied by Multimatic, and the car continues Porsche’s legacy in endurance racing.

Peugeot’s 9X8 brings bold design choices, most notably a no-rear-wing aerodynamic concept. It’s powered by a 2.6-liter twin-turbo V6 and a front-mounted electric motor. Like its LMH rivals, it runs with 680 horsepower and all-wheel drive above 150 kilometers per hour.

Toyota’s GR010 Hybrid has been the benchmark since 2021. It features a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and a front-mounted electric motor, activated above certain speeds. The hybrid system helps deliver exactly 680 horsepower, balancing reliability and performance.

The Cadillac V-Series.R, competing under LMDh rules, uses a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8. It’s paired with the standardized hybrid system and mounted on a Dallara chassis. Known for its durability and aggressive sound, power is limited to 680 horsepower.

The new Alpine A424 is Alpine’s first LMDh entry. It’s powered by a 3.4-liter turbocharged V6 and a spec hybrid unit, built on an Oreca chassis. Like its competitors, the A424 is tuned to the FIA-mandated 680 horsepower limit. Designed in collaboration with Signatech, it marks Alpine’s serious push for overall victory.

All nine of these prototypes are engineered to deliver maximum performance within tightly controlled regulations. With equalized power outputs and diverse philosophies in aerodynamics and hybrid integration, the battle for Le Mans 2025 is all to execution, efficiency and endurance.

[ummick]

Schumacher's attitude a 'positive surprise', says WEC team-mate Lapierre

Sportscar racing veteran Nicolas Lapierre says he was "positively surprised" by Alpine team-mate Mick Schumachers attitude from the first day the German stepped into a World Endurance Championship hypercar.

Former Haas Formula 1 racer and current Mercedes reserve Schumacher showed a desire to adjust himself to the multi-driver format of sportscar racing instead of going out for individual glory, according to four-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Lapierre. "When Mick came to his first test, it was in Jerez," said Schumacher’s Alpine teammate, Lapierre. "For me, when drivers come in from single-seaters, even more Formula 1, there are two options. Either he wants to be a real sportscar driver, share the car and work with his teammates, or he just wants to shine. I was very positively surprised with Mick since day one. He really wanted to work as a team, and it suits him quite good, as well. And his pace was straight away very fast. This we knew [already]; we had no doubt about this. The only thing now is to have a little bit of traffic management and this kind of stuff, because this is very new [to him]." Schumacher first got a chance to test the Alpine A424 LMDh last October and impressed the French manufacturer enough to earn a seat in its line-up for the 2024 season, joining team stalwarts Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere aboard the #36 car. Prior to his Hypercar move, the German driver spent two seasons competing in F1 with Haas from 2021-22, scoring a best finish of sixth on his second visit to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix. He remains on Mercedes' books in a reserve role in 2024 and, if required, can be called in by the Brackley-based squad even on WEC race weekends. Lapierre believes Schumacher's experience of working with the title-winning Mercedes F1 squad helps bring a new perspective to the Signatech-run Alpine team. "He is bringing some good stuff from Formula 1 because he is working with one of the best teams on the Formula 1 grid," he said, "so this brings us some fresh ideas, some new feedback, which has also been very helpful in this project." Schumacher spent the 2023 season on the sidelines after being dropped by Haas in 2023 in favour of countryman Nico Hulkenberg, electing not to compete in any other category during his first year out of F1. The German driver reiterated that he is looking for comeback opportunities in grand prix racing, but made it clear his current focus is on his Hypercar programme with Alpine. "I'm here now. What the future holds is quite difficult to predict and foresee," said the 24-year-old. "Obviously my focus for now is WEC, but I would be lying if I would say that I don't have an eye on Formula 1. There are a lot of things happening right now. Who knows what opportunities are presented to myself in a couple of months' time. I will deal with that when it's time." Schumacher, Lapierre and Vaxiviere finished twelfth overall in Saturday's opening round of WEC in Qatar, three laps down on the winning #6 Porsche Penske LMDh of Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre and Andre Lotterer. Alpine stable-mates Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi scored points in eighth place aboard the #5 Alpine A424 to lead a successful return to Hypercar for the French manufacturer. "We had the pace to fight for the points, which was a bit unexpected, so we can be happy about it and proud of ourselves," said Schumacher. "It’s great the sister car managed to score."

[f1]

Lamborghini reveals SC63 Hypercar which Grosjean and Kvyat will race in WEC | World Endurance Championship

Lamborghini has revealed the SC63, the car it has designed to contest the World Endurance Championship from next year. As part of its entry in the WEC’s Hypercar class, Lamborghini plans to enter two cars at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. The SC63 will also race in America’s IMSA series. The chassis was developed by Ligier and styled by Lamborghini’s design department, Centro Stile, to incorporate cues from its Revuelto road car. Romain Grosjean, Daniil Kvyat, Andrea Caldarelli and Mirko Bortolotti have already been confirmed among the marque’s drivers, with more due to be confirmed. The car is powered by a newly-designed 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo and a standard hybrid system. The LMDh regulations limit the total power output to a maximum of 500kW. Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann called the SC63 “the most advanced racing car ever produced by Lamborghini.” “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.” The cars will be run by Iron Lynx. The first track test of the SC63 is due to take place next month. Iron Lynx team principal and CEO Andrea Piccini said they are “honoured and extremely excited” to “start a new chapter for Iron Lynx with Lamborghini.” “Everyone at Iron Lynx is eager for testing to get underway. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced as a team, and we are now looking forward to seeing the SC63 on track.” Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Gallery: Lamborghini SC63 WEC Hypercar Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2023 F1 season Browse all 2023 F1 season articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[motorsportverso]

Mclaren apresenta seu LMDH para 2027

A Mclaren que estára nas 24h Le Mans e Fia WEC na Hypercar em 2027 , em parceria com a equipe United Autoesports , e terá o atual chefe da Jaguar na Formula E , James Barcley como chefe de equipe. O modelo ainda não foi anunciado o nome, más terá o motor V10 derivado do Solus GT

Mclaren will be racing in the 24h Le Mans and Fia WEC in the Hypercar in 2027, in partnership with the United Autoesports team, and will have Jaguar's current Formula E boss James Barcley as team manager. The model's name has not yet been announced, but it will have a V10 engine derived from the Solus GT.

A marca Britânica terá a Dallara como fornecedora de chassis , carro que tem o designe inspirado no Senna GTR e lembra o Alpine A424.

The British marque will have Dallara as its chassis supplier, a car with a design inspired by the Senna GTR and reminiscent of the Alpine A424.

[carformula1]

Lamborghini unveils striking Le Mans challenger Lamborghini has revealed the LMDh ch... #usa #uk #ireland

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar, 2023. Cadillac has announced their return to global racing with Project GTP, which will compete in both IMSA and WEC in 2023. It will compete in the LMDh class in WEC and in the new GTP prototype class in the IMSA. The car was codeveloped by Cadillac and Dallara and is powered by a new 5.5 litre DOHC V8 engine with the standard LMDh hybrid system.

[bujiastorch]

¡Porsche finalmente presenta su prototipo GTP Class 963 LMDh Racer!

El equipo Porsche Penske Motorsport envía el nuevo Porsche 963 a la caza de victorias generales en las mejores carreras de resistencia del mundo. A partir de 2023, dos de los prototipos híbridos con especificaciones LMDh se presentarán tanto en el Campeonato Mundial de Resistencia de la FIA como en el Campeonato IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar.

El vehículo de carreras que se presentó hoy (viernes 24 de junio) en Goodwood, Inglaterra, llevará los colores tradicionales de las carreras automovilísticas de Porsche: blanco, rojo y negro.

El debut oficial en la carrera del Porsche 963 está previsto para enero de 2023 en las 24 Horas de Daytona en los EE. UU., donde competirá en la nueva clase general que se conocerá como clase GTP.

Los pilotos seleccionados para las carreras en el Campeonato Mundial de Resistencia (WEC) y el Campeonato IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar incluyen a los experimentados pilotos "oficiales" Kévin Estre (Francia), Michael Christensen (Dinamarca), André Lotterer (Alemania), Laurens Vanthoor (Bélgica) , Matt Campbell (Australia), Mathieu Jaminet (Francia), así como los exitosos pilotos de autos deportivos Dane Cameron (Glen Ellen, California) y Felipe Nasr (Brasil).

Multimatic se une al proyecto como socio tecnológico. El fabricante de relojes de lujo TAG Heuer también se une al equipo global como socio oficial de cronometraje del programa Porsche Penske Motorsport. La marca de moda Hugo Boss como socio y proveedor de ropa del equipo, así como la empresa de estilo de vida deportivo Puma como socio técnico para ropa de carrera ignífuga, completan la cartera de asociaciones de alto nivel de Porsche Penske Motorsport.

Fuentes: newsroom.porsche

#BujiasTorch #Porsche #GTPClass963 #Racer #HyperCars #SuperCars #Motor #Venezuela #Latinoamérica

https://www.instagram.com/bujiastorch/

[itracing]

Andreas Roos Named Head of BMW M Motorsport

Change is afoot at the sharp end of BMW M Motorsport: Andreas Roos will take over responsibility for the motor sport activities of BMW M GmbH on 1 February. Roos brings with him two decades of experience in motor racing and has headed up a variety of projects over the course of his career. He succeeds Mike Krack as Head of BMW M Motorsport. Krack is leaving the company at his own request and moving to Formula 1.

BMW M GmbH, celebrating its 50th birthday this year, is involved in a wide range of international motor sport. The new BMW M4 GT3 is contesting its debut season in GT racing and will line up in numerous race series. In addition, BMW M Motorsport teams around the world are competing with a selection of other BMW M racing cars. Plus, development is underway of the BMW M LMDh, with which the “most powerful letter in the world” will be represented in the top category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – the newly created LMDh class – from the 2023 season.

[umseb]

Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is in talks with the Jota Porsche team about making a return to the cockpit in the World Endurance Championship next season.

Jota team principal Sam Hignett confirmed to Motorsport.com that the British operation has approached Vettel about joining its expanded two-car Hypercar class assault on the WEC in 2024 with a pair of Porsche 963 LMDh prototypes. Hignett stressed that discussions with the German about a WEC drive and an attack on the Le Mans 24 Hours remain at an early stage and that no deal has been done. "We are speaking to Seb, there are discussions, but nothing is done," he said. "There isn’t any kind of contract signed and he certainly hasn’t tested one of our cars." Vettel, who called time on his F1 career at the end of 2022, has refused to rule out the possibility of some kind of comeback. He declared that he remained race fit earlier this month and said over the course of a visit to Suzuka for last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that he misses "the amazing feeling" of driving an F1 car. But he poured cold water on a return to F1 in the short-term. Asked if he was considering a comeback, he said: "Not for now: F1 was the centre to my life for so long, but once you step out, you realise even more how big the rest of the world is, and how small in a way F1 is." Jota has made it clear that it is in a position to pick and chose the line-up for its second 963 and that it does not require funded drivers. The second car, like the first, will be backed by car hire giant Hertz in whose distinctive gold colours it races. Hignett alluded to the environmental credentials of Jota as being part of its pitch to Vettel, who unveiled a number of bee hotels at Suzuka as part of his ambassadorial role with the BeesandApple environmental project. "Sustainability is important to us as a team, which is why our hospitality unit at Le Mans was solar powered," he said. "We know that is important to Seb as well."

[robinfrinjs]

It's my first time watching Daytona. So I understand there are different classes, are the drivers only competing within their classes? So there will be a winner for each class?

Yeah! There's five classes.

DPi, the top class (this will be rebranded to GTP when the LMDh cars come)

LMP2, prototype, also used in WEC etc LMP3, prototype, but they suck. It's a new addition to the field. The cars aren't new tho but usually used in lower tier categories. Drivers are mostly amateurs and they're basically just moving chicanes.

GTD Pro, replaces GTLM. GTD cars are GT3 cars. GTLM used to be GTE cars used in WEC.

GTD, same cars, same BOP even as GTD Pro. This class has been around for a while but it's difference now lies in the drivers. While there are pros it's a bit more of an Am field.

So the drivers are directly competing with the drivers in their own class. Only in GTD (Pro) it might be possible GTD and GTD Pro cars are a little mixed because they're essentially the same cars. (In WEC this doesn't happen despite both being GTE cars because the Am class is required to run older cars) And yeah, every class has it's own winner

[motorspexx]

The Bugatti Bolide is a track-focused hypercar developed by Bugatti Automobiles. Initially unveiled in 2020 as a concept, it has since evolved into two distinct variants: a road-legal version and a Le Mans Hypercar (LMDh) prototype. Both maintain a focus on low weight, high power, and advanced aerodynamics.

The road-legal Bolide is powered by Bugatti’s quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine. It produces 1,578 horsepower and 1,600 newton-meters of torque using 98 RON fuel. The total weight is kept to approximately 1,450 kilograms, yielding a power-to-weight ratio close to one horsepower per kilogram. The engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. Top speed is estimated at over 380 kilometers per hour. Bugatti claims a lateral acceleration potential of up to 2.5 g and downforce exceeding 1,800 kilograms at 320 km/h. The car uses a carbon monocoque, carbon bodywork, and magnesium wheels to reduce mass.

The suspension system features double-wishbone pushrod setups with adaptive dampers. Braking is handled by carbon-carbon discs, a setup more common in motorsport than production cars. Production of the road-going Bolide is limited to 40 units, with each vehicle tailored to meet global homologation standards.

The second variant is the Bolide Le Mans Hypercar concept, developed in accordance with the ACO and FIA LMH regulations. While not yet confirmed for competition, it explores the potential of adapting the Bolide platform to endurance racing. The W16 engine would be significantly modified—or replaced—to comply with the hybrid and power limitations of the LMH class, which caps combined output at 500 kilowatts, or 671 horsepower. Vehicle weight is targeted at 1,030 kilograms under regulations. Key changes would include the addition of hybrid systems, reduced aerodynamic surfaces, and compliance with cost and balance-of-performance measures.

The Bugatti Bolide, in both its forms, demonstrates a convergence of extreme engineering and motorsport regulation. One is a limited-production track tool made road-legal; the other, a theoretical study of competition compliance. Both push the limits of performance within their respective categories.

Bugatti Bolide – Technical Specifications

Model: Bugatti Bolide Manufacturer: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. Production: 40 units (road-legal version) Vehicle type: Track-focused hypercar, road homologated

Engine: 8.0-liter W16, quad-turbocharged Power output: 1,578 horsepower (1,600 PS) at 7,000 rpm Torque: 1,600 newton-meters (1,180 lb-ft) Fuel type: 98 RON gasoline Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)

0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph): Approximately 2.2 seconds 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph): Approximately 4.4 seconds Top speed: Over 380 kilometers per hour Power-to-weight ratio: Approximately 1.05 horsepower per kilogram Curb weight: Approximately 1,450 kilograms

Chassis: Carbon fiber monocoque Body: Carbon fiber construction Suspension: Double-wishbone with pushrod-operated adaptive dampers Brakes: Carbon-carbon discs Wheels: Magnesium alloy Tires: Michelin performance or racing compound, depending on configuration

Downforce at 320 km/h: Approximately 800 kilograms (front) and 1,000 kilograms (rear) Aerodynamics: Passive fixed aero surfaces (no active elements)

Vehicle length: 4,756 millimeters Vehicle width: 1,998 millimeters Vehicle height: 995 millimeters Wheelbase: 2,750 millimeters Ground clearance: Adjustable, approximately 80 to 100 millimeters

Fuel tank capacity: Approximately 100 liters Cooling systems: Separate radiators for engine, oil, transmission, and intercoolers

Price: Approximately 4 million euros, excluding taxes Assembly location: Molsheim, France Homologation: Complies with road-legal standards for global markets

Note: Specifications may vary slightly depending on final customer configuration and regional homologation requirements.