Lamborghini has announced plans to launch its first hybrid supercar equipped with a plug-in system, which will replace the Aventador model. The new car will still have a powerful V-12 engine, and the company has indicated that it will not be reducing the size of its engines, contrary to current industry trends. In addition to the first hybrid supercar, Lamborghini is also expected to launch plug-in versions of the Huracán and Urus soon. For motorsports, the company is developing an LMDh race car which will feature a combination of a twin-turbo V-8 engine and an electric power system, and will participate in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship starting 2024.
Ferruccio Lamborghini established the Lamborghini brand in 1963 with the sole purpose of manufacturing road cars, not participating in racing. Ferruccio Lamborghini was dissatisfied with the unrefined state of Ferraris during that time and saw them solely as cars for racing purposes. Ferruccio’s goal was to construct the finest road sports cars with a focus on an exceptional on-road driving experience and comfortable interiors, unlike Ferrari who initially started in motorsports and relied on their road cars for funding their racing endeavors. Lamborghini prioritized road cars and avoided racing altogether.
Lamborghini Squadra Corse is in the process of developing its inaugural LMDh prototype that will make its debut in 2024 at two major motorsports events: the FIA World Endurance Championship (Hypercar class) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTP class). Since 2015, Lamborghini has been participating in top-tier GT racing and has won over 40 championships and important triumphs. One of the most notable accomplishments was the three consecutive victories in the GTD class at the 24 Hours of Daytona, becoming the first manufacturer to attain such success.
This weekend, the newly improved Huracán GT3 Evo 2 will make its debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona race. Lamborghini Squadra Corse will be participating with five cars, each manned by six experienced factory drivers, ready to compete. The 24 Hours of Daytona marks the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and is a classic beginning to the endurance racing season.
Lamborghini has achieved three victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, including two consecutive wins in 2018 and 2020. Of the five Lamborghini teams competing, four will compete in the GT Daytona category and one, the #63 Huracán, will participate in the GT Daytona Pro class. Two new Lamborghini factory drivers, Romain Grosjean and Jordan Pepper, will team up with current official drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli in the #63 Iron Lynx Huracán GT3 EVO2. This will be the initial time that both Pepper and Grosjean will participate in the 24 Hours of Daytona, although they have previously raced in significant endurance events. This will be the debut appearance of both Jordan Pepper and Romain Grosjean in the 24 Hours of Daytona, despite their prior participation in other significant endurance races.
Giorgio Sanna, the head of Lamborghini’s motorsport department, expressed his joy about the company’s entry into the LMDh class. He said, “I am ecstatic that Lamborghini is furthering our motorsports journey by competing in the top-tier LMDh class and participating in the highest level of sports car racing. LMDh will play a crucial role in Lamborghini’s motorsports plans, giving the company the exceptional chance to broaden its customer racing programs to new venues and strengthen its long-standing ties with customer teams and drivers.
The head of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Fillon, expressed his excitement about Lamborghini’s involvement in endurance racing and stated that it is fantastic that a reputable brand like Lamborghini is entering the competition. The Hypercar division has received attention from automobile producers worldwide and I am excited for the next phase in endurance racing as the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans approaches.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of FIA WEC, announced that they are pleased to welcome Lamborghini to the Hypercar category of FIA WEC starting in 2024. He pointed out that Lamborghini is a well-known brand but has never been a part of the top tier of endurance racing. He expressed his enthusiasm about Lamborghini’s arrival in the FIA WEC during a thrilling time in its history. Frédéric Lequien recognized that the competition would be fierce but believes that Lamborghini will be a formidable opponent. He emphasized Lamborghini’s achievements in other endurance racing categories and eagerly anticipated seeing them compete for top honors at the esteemed events.
Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo series has increased recognition for the brand and established its image as a producer of high-performance vehicles. The program’s success has attracted a large number of fans, not only for Lamborghini, but also for Squadra Corse. Due to the popularity of Super Trofeo, Lamborghini has ventured into GT3 racing, which is approved by the FIA and is contested in the WEC and IMSA. The latest iteration of GT3 racing cars, the Evo 2, which will participate in the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, closely resemble Lamborghinis that can be driven on public roads, thereby fortifying the relationship between the brand’s street cars and their track-oriented vehicles.