“We want to represent this trilogy in both the development of our cutting-edge road cars and in motorsport. 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.”
Porsche has released teaser images of the new car. The regulations prevent changes to the floor but manufacturers have more freedom with the bodywork, which can be made to resemble road-going models.
It has not provided details of the petrol engine that will power the car.
By 2023, Toyota and Peugeot plan to be racing their Le Mans Hypercars in WEC (IMSA does not currently recognise the category), which have bespoke chassis and hybrid systems but the same 671bhp power limit as LMDh cars.
Glickenhaus and ByKolles are also working on Hypercars for next year, the first season in which they will be able to race.
Porsche’s fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi has said that it will be making its own LMDh car, and a number of other manufacturers have been linked to the format too, including Honda.