Summary
- The Lamborghini SC63 LMDh, a hybrid racing prototype, will compete in the Hypercar division of the World Endurance Championship and the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in 2024.
- The SC63 stands out with its superior aerodynamics, lightweight design, and potent hybrid drivetrain made specifically for racing.
- The SC63 incorporates traditional Lamborghini design features, has advanced engineering, and tactfully plays with the LMDh rule book.
The Lamborghini SC63 LMDh will be racing in the Hypercar division of the World Endurance Championship as part of the Iron Lynx team in 2024. It will also be participating in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. For motorsport enthusiasts, this exciting news ignites the anticipation for an exhilarating thrill awaiting them. The name SC63 pays homage to Lamborghini’s esteemed motorsport department, Squadra Corse, and the year it was founded, 1963 – what a great way to celebrate its 60th anniversary! The Hypercar is Lamborghini’s first hybrid endurance racing prototype and represents a significant milestone in the Squadra Corse department’s ten years of operation. To put it simply, it’s the most advanced racing car to come out of Lamborghini’s production line.
Wraps went off the SC63 officially in the just concluded Goodwood Festival of Speed, and it was nothing short of goals. What makes this Lamborghini version stand out is its superior aerodynamics, lightweight design, and potent hybrid drive train that is specifically made for racing. Indeed, the SC63 aligns with the company’s vision of achieving high-performance mobility in the future.
The New SC63 LMDh Incorporates Lamborghini’s Styling Cues Throughout
A closer scrutiny of the SC63 reveals a lot of traditional Lamborghini design features. The race design team at Lamborghini worked with the Centro Stile design department to create the curvy bodywork. As seen on the new Revuelto, Lamborghini’s most recent ride has a Y-shaped headlight signature at the front and rear, surrounding some bulbs that illuminate in the dark. The aggressive design philosophy of Lamborghini complements the sports prototype’s unwavering focus on function. As a matter of fact, it’s right to say that the New Lamborghini resembles the Lamborghini V-12 Vision Gran Turismo in most parts.
The fenders of the new Lambo’ have pressure-relief holes that run along their length and are designed to release excess pressure in the event of a crash. This helps to prevent the fenders from buckling or collapsing, which could protect the driver and passengers from injury. These holes blend into louvered rear vents on both the front and rear fenders. The car also has multiple air intakes on both sides that feed eight different radiators. Furthermore, the engineering team has integrated a total of eight different radiators, including;
- Two intercoolers
- Two water radiators
- One gearbox radiator
- One condenser for air conditioning
- One radiator for the Energy Recovery System (ERS)
- One radiator for the Energy Storage System (ESS)
Sporting regulations and the integration of Lamborghini’s own brand aesthetic elements throughout the vehicle influenced the size of the cabin and the principal character of the vehicle. A NACA duct, inspired by the air intake of the Countach, can be observed integrated into the side panel of the body. In addition, the rear wheel arch design gives the impression of acceleration towards the front, drawing inspiration from Lamborghini’s signature wheel arch design language seen on the Revuelto model.
Tactfully Playing With The LMDh Rule Book
The SC63 is a special racing car built in accordance with the LMDh rules. Under these rules, cars can be built differently but will end up achieving the same level of performance. For instance, only four companies, namely ORECA, Dallara, Ligier, and Multimatic are licensed to produce the monocoque and the suspension, also referred to as the spine of the car or simply the chassis. Lamborghini procured the SC63’s chassis from Ligier Automotive, which, as a requirement, must be the next-generation LMP2 design. By so doing, the SC63 became the first LMDh car to partner with the French-based auto company Ligier.
While Ligier was responsible for manufacturing the chassis, Lamborghini’s engineers contributed to the development by specifying some features, such as requesting a push rod-type front suspension system and ensuring the structure had an even weight distribution and could support easy servicing. The car’s 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine is brand new and was designed by Lamborghini engineers specifically for racing. This engine is set up in a layout called a ‘cold V’ configuration, which attaches turbochargers outside the engine’s V-angle. This promotes faster cooling and serviceability and also increases the car’s stability on the racetracks.
Lamborghini SC63 LMDh Specs
|
Engine Specs |
New 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 and electric motor |
|
Total Power Output |
671 horsepower |
|
Drive Type |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
The overall power output from the hybrid system is 671 horsepower, which also happens to be the maximum power competing cars are allowed to generate. Bosch’s electronic control unit manages this power unit. To control costs, certain parts like the gearbox, battery, and motor generator unit (MGU) are standardized for all LMDh cars. However, the rules for LMDh racing limit the power output of the SC63, as well as all other cars in its class, to 671 horses. This is to ensure fair competition and keep the racing exciting and competitive. Lamborghini still has some freedom to customize the gearbox to their liking. They can choose the gear ratios and the way the mechanical differential works. This customization allows them to optimize the car’s performance for racing.
A Chance To Showcase Another Lamborghini Win In The Biggest Endurance Races
Lamborghini SC63 LMDh comes in a striking Verde Mantis green hue on the SC63s, which is accentuated by a modern Nero Noctis black stripe that covers the interior, front hood, carbon diffuser, rear fin, and wing. Additionally, these cars proudly showcase the iconic Italian Tricolore colors of green, white, and red. Notably, the branding of Lamborghini’s trusted long-time partner, Swiss watch manufacturer Roger Dubuis, will also be prominently displayed on the vehicles.
Next year, the Lamborghini SC63 will make its debut on the racetracks, and it will be managed by the experienced Iron Lynx team, known for its success in GT3 racing. The team’s driver lineup is truly impressive, featuring two former Formula 1 drivers, Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat, who will be joined by Lamborghini’s factory racing drivers, Andrea Caldarelli and Mirko Bortolotti. Together, they will form a formidable team ready to take on the challenges of the racing season.
The SC63 is Lamborghini’s most technologically advanced racing vehicle ever manufactured, according to the company’s chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. It follows their strategy, “Direzione Cor Tauri,” which defines their goals for electrifying their whole product line. The SC63 LMDh represents a significant step into the highest echelons of motorsports and embodies the future of racing for their Squadra Corse team.
What’s Next For Lamborghini SC63 LMDh?
The Lamborghini SC63 LMDh is a cutting-edge race car designed with endurance competitions in mind. As for what the future holds for the car, Lamborghini does not have any plans to add another car on top of the LMDh. But most importantly, this hypercar demonstrates something more than just trying to become the best in racing. It spells the pursuit of technical solutions, such as aerodynamics, that can be applied to other production cars to improve their functionality. Turns out that the experience Lamborghini is getting from the SC63 will be instrumental in shaping their transition from ICEs to hybrid and all-electric models.