Spoiler alert! It’s quick!
One day in the life a Porsche test driver includes going to the Spa. But this is the most exciting part. The Le Mans Daytona hybrid drove to Belgium, where it performed hot laps at Circuit de Spa Francorchamps. The electrified machine has been tested before it traveled to Barcelona. It’s a delight to see it go up Eau Rouge. The twin-turbo V8 is amazing.
The new Porsche LMDh looked almost like it was running on rails. It was being driven hard in preparation for next year’s motorsport debut. The hybrid race car will compete at the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Multimatic will provide the LMP2-based chassis, as Audi does. Other companies have partnered with Ligier, Oreca and Dallara. BMW has also teamed up with the latter.
The sound you hear is from an 8-cylinder engine with a pair turbos. It was designed to run on renewable fuel, which reduces CO2 emissions. The hybrid setup can produce approximately 500 kilowatts (670 hp) combined, according to regulations. Porsche’s V8 must be kept below 10,000 rpm. It must also weigh no more than 180 kg (397 lbs) to comply with regulations.
The LMDh prototype has been so well-constructed that enthusiasts are eager for a hypercar to replace their 918 Spyder. Porsche said that a new flagship will not be available before 2025 and could even end up being an electric vehicle. It is interesting to consider that the 919 hybrid Evo had an electrified 2.0-liter V4 with one turbocharger.
It is amazing to imagine hearing the new Porsche V8 sound in 2022. Although details about a street-legal version of the car are not known, it is easy to see how such a vehicle would be a huge success. The road version would be a great collectible. However, Zuffenhausen’s crew is currently working on the endurance racer.
The 911 Hybrid will officially reveal some of Porsche’s hybrid expertise in motorsport.