18 TECH REVIEW: LE MANS HYPERCAR ENGINES Control freaks The spread of powertrains in the top class of the WEC is greater than ever. However, with BoP regulations in play, the focal areas of development are very different from the LMP1 era WORDS BY LAWRENCE BUTCHER T he arrival of the LMH class at Le Mans (and within the WEC) has resulted in one of the most diverse spreads of powertrain choices any series has seen in recent times. The field is split between Hypercars, built to the FIA/ACO regulations, and LMDh cars built to IMSA’s LMDh rules. In effect, Hypercars are completely bespoke machines, while LMDh must be built around a chassis ‘spine’ from one of the four LMP2 suppliers – Oreca, Multimatic, Ligier and Dallara – all of which are represented. The two car types are equalized via BoP (balance of performance), though across the field the choice of engine is, within reason, free. As a result, configurations ranging from a 2.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 (Peugeot 9X8) to a 5.5-liter, naturally aspirated V8 (Cadillac V-Series.R), encompassing bespoke race engines and road-car-derived units, lined up at Le Mans 24 hours in June 2024. All the cars competing in 2024 featured hybrid systems. In the case of LMDh machines, a spec unit, with Hypercars running manufacturer-specific systems. However, with the BoP setting the deployment speed of the hybrid Hypercars at 190km/h, their impact was effectively nullified. PMW took the opportunity only Le Mans can present and grilled several of the LMH entrants on their engine development programs. 2024 | www.pmw-magazine.com
Professional Motorsport World 2024 Issue: Page 18
