Ginetta has confirmed it's intent to enter a new
prototype in the FIA World Endurance Championship starting in 2018.
For those unfamiliar, Ginetta is a British firm that
specializes in racing cars – and has since 1958. Though its cars have typically
competed in lower GT categories, Ginetta has been stepping up into racing prototypes
with projects like the LMP2-spec G57 and Ginetta LMP3.
The company was encouraged by new regulations that
will allow more latitude in design but freeze the rulebook for five years,
making the prospect of stepping up to the big leagues more enticing. To make it
happen, it has brought on legendary chassis constructor Adrian Reynard, Peugeot
908 designer Paolo Catone, and an as-yet unnamed experienced LMP1
aerodynamicist.
Technical specifications have yet to be finalized,
but the company says it is in discussions with Mecachrome (an engine
manufacturer with strong ties to Renault) and gearbox supplier Xtrac. The car
is expected to do without a hybrid powertrain like (and therefor compete in a
different sub-class from) the front-running Porsche 919 and Toyota TS050.
That means we can expect the same overall dimensions
as the LMP1 hybrids, but with a conventional engine displacing no more than 5.5
liters and a curb weight of at least 1,870 pounds. In short, Ginetta expects
its new flagship to produce 200 more horsepower and weigh 132 pounds less than
its current LMP2 chassis.
