The Porsche and Audi LMDh prototypes will be powered by a production-based twin-turbo V8 engine, Porsche has unveiled.
Porsche has said that it has opted for what it calls a ‘large-capacity twin-turbo V8 unit.’
This means that Audi’s car, which is developed in parallel based around a Multimatic LMP2 chassis, will be powered by the same car. Both cars will see action in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
Further details on the displacement on the engine were not revealed, although the marque’s Vice President of Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, hinted that the engine is based on one of Porsche’s current production engines as opposed to being specifically created for the LMDh programme.
“We were spoiled for choice with the engine for our LMDh prototype, because the product range offers several promising baseline units,” said Laudenbach. “We decided on the V8-biturbo, which we feel offers the best combination of performance characteristics, weight and costs. The kick-off to the active test programme was an important step for the project.”
Porsche currently has only one eight-cylinder engine in its range of road cars, a four-liter V8 engine found in the Panamera and Cayenne production cars.
The German marque went on to say that the car will rev to a maximum of 10,000 rpm, with a pass-by noise limit of 110 decibels. The maximum power output lies between 480 and 520 kW (653 to 707 horsepower), which is in line with LMDh regulations and allows adjustments to be made within Balance of Performance parameters.
Combined with the hybrid system, with components from Williams Advanced Engineering (battery), Bosch (motor-generator unit and control electronics) and Xtrac (transmission), the total output equals 500 kW (680 horsepower). The car will also run on WEC’s new renewable fuel.
“The rollout of the LMDh racing car was also the first track outing for Porsche Penske Motorsport,” added LMDh project manager Urs Kuratle. “The squad worked well together right from the start.
“This shows a high level of professionalism in all areas. After all, the operational requirements for the safe running of a hybrid vehicle are very high. In the next outings we will focus on going deeper into the required processes and procedures.”
“During these first test days at Weissach, the V8-biturbo impressed us in every respect. We’re convinced that we’ve chosen precisely the right unit.”
