Description and photos: Lamborghini-LMDh SC63

After Le Mans before Le Mans: two months after the 100th anniversary of the classic, the new rival of Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota and Co. appeared on the race track for the first time. The Lamborghini SC63 is based on the American LMDh regulations and will therefore also compete in races in the IMSA series.

The cow branding project was announced back in May 2022 and went through different phases. It was originally intended as a secondary use of the VW Group’s Porsche-developed platform, which Audi should also use. However, the Italians decided to take more responsibility and left the basis of the Porsche 963. Lamborghini was helped by the do-it-yourself approach and the long-distance experience of the sports department of Squadra Corse, which also produces the Huracán GT3.

“Lamborghini’s ultimate racing car”

The hybrid model is intended to be the flagship of the sports car manufacturer founded in 1963, both in terms of sport and marketing. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini, said at the launch at Goodwood: “The SC63 is the most advanced racing car that Lamborghini has ever produced. It follows our brand’s strategic plan ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’ to power the range of our products. .”

At the heart of the SC63 is an all-new 3.8-liter biturbo V8, developed by Lamborghini itself. Stranger is in good company with this idea: Porsche and BMW also rely on V8 biturbo engines, Cadillac uses a naturally aspirated V8.

The SC63 powerplant is specifically designed for racing, designed with a cold-vee configuration, and the turbos are mounted outside the vee geometry, making it easier to cool and maintain. According to Lamborghini, this also reduces weight and increases the center of gravity.

The output of the combined system with the addition of a standard hybrid is generally limited by regulation to 500 kW (680 hp). However, by adjusting the Balance of Performance (BOP), performance limits can be lower or higher. Many common features of LMDh in the areas of transmission, battery and engine generator unit (MGU) are intended to reduce development costs. Lamborghini experts can, for example, lend a hand with the gear ratio and the insertion of the mechanical differential.

According to them, the integration of electronics in the electric and hybrid train is the biggest challenge of the project because the program is completely voluntary. As in Formula 1, for example, programming has recently become the most important step in the development of the series.

Italian and French collaboration

The choice of chassis provider is also a must. Lamborghini was allowed to participate in a pool of four manufacturers (Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic and Oreca). In the form of Ligier, the Italians chose a sole monocoque manufacturer without existing partnerships.

Dallara supplies BMW and Cadillac. Multimatic would have been responsible for the VW platform involved, but is currently focused only on Porsche. And Oreca joins Honda and Acura in the US with new arrivals from Alpine soon. Ferrari, Peugeot and Toyota now use the more open LMH (Hypercar) regulations.

Lamborghini hoped the election would give him “the freedom to state his needs.” This will include the design of the pushrod front suspension, overall weight distribution and ease of maintenance of key vehicle components. The clutch bell, which fills the gap between the back of the engine and the front of the transmission, has a good effect on torsional rigidity and was designed to accommodate the electric motor. SC63 carbon parts are manufactured in Italy by supplier HP Composites.

The familiar design of the Y and the Countach quote

When it came to the shape of the LMDh, Lambo’s designers relied on two constants. The Y-shaped lights at the front and rear are very attractive. “My personal brief to the design team from the beginning was that the car had to perform at a high level. But we also wanted to create a car that was instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini,” explains Mitja Borkert, Head of Design at Centro Stile.

“The NACA channel integrated into the side panel of the body is inspired by the Countach ventilation. If you look at the rear wheel arch, it gives the impression of accelerating the front. This is combined with the design language of the wheel arches. of Revuelto (new). “

Failing as the second most frequent part is a derivative of the launch colors of the Huracán GT3. All SC63 representatives in WEC and IMSA will compete in the green shade Verde Mantis with a black stripe in the shade Nero Noctis on the cockpit and front hood as well as the transmission, rear fin and wings made of carbon fiber. The cars will also feature the colors of the Italian Tricolore and the logo of sponsor watchmaker Roger Dubuis.

Balance between design and function

The car’s cooling system has determined much of the technology and design. For example, the air intakes on the side pods behind the cockpit went through several versions before the final design was settled on. Squadra Corse has installed eight different coolers: two intercoolers, a transmission cooler, a condenser for the climate, a cooler for the energy recovery system (ERS), one for the electronic stability system (ESS) and two water coolers.

Since only one configuration of body materials is allowed for the two-meter-wide and 5.1-meter-long Lambo, its designers had to consider various conditions such as extreme temperatures. Different track layouts in IMSA and WEC were also tested against each other during development. In this issue, the focus was mainly on the use of tires. Before testing began on the racetrack, significant progress had already been made in the virtual world using the driver-in-the-loop (DiL) simulator.

Unlock the secrets in the driver’s squad?

Lamborghini was able to retain a lot of driver talent for the test operation, which began with an upheaval at Vallelunga. The current squad includes former Formula 1 drivers Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat, who bring previous hybrid experience, as well as Lambo GT experts Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli. With Mercedes GT star Raffaele Marciello, Squadra Corse also looks set to get a sports car star. They want to introduce more drivers in 2023.

“This year we celebrate not only the 60th anniversary of our brand, but also the tenth anniversary of Squadra Corse, Lamborghini’s motorsport department,” says Giorgio Sanna, head of motorcycles at Lamborghini. “Now we are ready for our biggest step into the future of motorsport to compete with the best manufacturers in the world.”

On the operational side, Italy’s Iron Lynx operations team should turn high expectations into success. The still young motorsport company, whose cosmos also includes the Prema, has recently become a GT powerhouse. According to rumors, the related financial power will also support the Lamborghini project. Perhaps this is the reason why sports director Sanna avoided talking about the finished factory campaign.

Successful test in Imola

As part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the traditional brand confirmed its plan to field one car each in the WEC and in the IMSA sports car championship. However, the American athlete will only complete long-distance races (Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta). But great respect is attached to it nonetheless.

After the August shakedown in Vallelunga and the Imola test, from which the current pictures are coming, a whole series of test drives is planned until September. Spa-Francorchamps and Le Castellet are on the schedule. Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli and Daniil Kvyat have already covered 1,500 kilometers in two days in Imola alone. The greater distance confirmed the hopes of development director Rouven Mohr.

He explained before the tests: “We have already done a lot of preparatory work on the static and dynamic engine and hybrid test benches with the intention of being able to quickly start the performance tests.” In addition, the standard components are considered to be developed significantly compared to last year.

Ferrari’s recipe for success

The second test carrier is expected to be ready for use in September and will be delivered to America along with the first chassis, where more extensive testing will take place in October. Homologation for IMSA and WEC is targeted for November. The next US tests will be in the homework book before Christmas.

The use of two test cars to copy the success formula of LMH’s domestic rivals Ferrari. They also used two people to make the difficult training session as efficient as possible. According to Mohr, Lamborghini is aiming for a mileage of 20,000 kilometers in the testing phase. “The test program is definitely well organized, but I think we’re well prepared overall,” said Mohr. Mohr does not see the late entry as a disadvantage: “First, we expect few problems in the test phase, and we also hope that the BOP will be balanced by the time we start, so that the LMH and LMDh subclasses can fight for victory equally.”

Considering the difficult schedule and tests, negotiations on two continents, etc., the first match at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2024 (January 25-28) can be doubted. Lamborghini is targeting the start of the WEC season in Qatar (March 2) as its first race. IMSA will probably be involved in action from the 12 hour race at Sebring. The start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is definitely set.