Porsche coming back to Le Mans along with 680-HP prototype

Porsche has not been participating in endurance racing for over three years now, having said that, the carmaker is coming back to Le Mans along with a new prototype. According to Zuffenhausen, the board has already permitted to start the development of the fresh Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) prototype.

The CEO, Oliver Blume said that The latest LMDh category helps us to compete for overall wins with a hybrid system in Le Mans, Sebring classics, and Daytona – without spending a lot of money. The test is extremely appealing to Porsche. Endurance racing is part of the DNA of their brand.

“We use the all-electric drive to contest the FIA Formula E as part of our works commitment, and the highly efficient and emotional combustion unit in GT racing. Now, the LMDh class closes the gap for us. There, powerful hybrid drives – like the ones that are mounted in many of our brand’s models – go up against each other. If the regulations eventually allowed the use of synthetic fuels, then that would be an even greater incentive for me in terms of sustainability,” added Michael Steiner, Board member for research and development.

The latest type of LMDh is highly cost-effective. Every vehicle is built on an improved LMP2 chassis and the hybrid system specifications, such as the control electronics now comes as standard. When the prototype will make its official circuit debut in 2023, it will be Porsche's first time to compete in the top class at Le Mans. In the year 2017, they raced with 919 Hybrid Evo and won the endurance race.

In order to comply with the LMDh requirements, Porsche's latest racing concept will weight at just 2.204 pounds and will come equipped with a 680 horsepower hybrid engine, which will make it more powerful if compared to Taycan 4S. However, it will still be less powerful than the Taycan Turbo.

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