Volkswagen has abandoned motorsport activities, but Porsche isn’t following suit as the company’s executive board has green lighted the development of an LMDh prototype. As a result, Porsche will compete in the “new top class in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship” beginning in 2023.
Porsche said both championships are
“hugely significant” for them and they are eager to compete in a class where
cars have a hybrid powertrain that produces 671 hp. The
company also noted the new LMDh category allows them to use identical vehicles
at endurance races around the world for the first time in more than 20 years.
LMDh racing also promises to more
cost-effective as cars are based on an upgraded LMP2 chassis and “the spec for
the hybrid system including the control electronics is standardized.” However,
there will be some variation as four different manufacturers will provide
chassis’ and “each brand is free to select the concept for the combustion
engine and the body design within the framework of the regulations.”
Porsche didn’t say much about their upcoming race car, but the renderings suggest it will have a prominent front splitter, streamlined bodywork and a central fin. We can also see a large rear wing and familiar headlights.
