Lamborghini’s motorsport division, Lamborghini Squadra Corse, unveiled its endurance racing hybrid prototype, the SC63, for the first time on the 13th (local time) at the ‘2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed’ held in the UK.

The SC63 race car has passed testing and is set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as the GTP class of the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which consists of traditional events such as the Daytona 24 Hour and Sebring 12 Hour races.

Lamborghini has partnered with the Italian team Iron Lynx for competition, and has signed contracts with world-renowned drivers who have achieved excellent results in international competitions, including Formula 1 and endurance racing.

The SC63 race car complies with the new racing car class ‘LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid)’, launched under the unified regulations for endurance racing in Europe and North America. This aligns with Lamborghini’s electrification roadmap ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’, which aims to achieve both improved driving sensibility and performance through hybridization by the end of 2024.

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, stated, “The SC63 is the most advanced race car in Lamborghini’s history, in line with the brand’s roadmap for electrification, ‘Direzione Cor Tauri.’ Following the launch of the hybrid road car Revuelto, it will clearly demonstrate our vision for future high-performance mobility through participation in major endurance racing championships. SC63 LMDh is the first step towards reaching the pinnacle of racing and the future of motorsports together with Squadra Corse,” he explained.

The SC63 is powered by a specially developed 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine by Lamborghini engineers for their racing program. Notably, this engine features a ‘Cold V’ structure, where the turbocharger is positioned outside the engine bank, improving cooling efficiency and maintenance. This ‘Cold V’ structure also reduces engine weight and optimizes the vehicle’s center of gravity.

This design, combined with a finely-tuned aerodynamic balance and chassis structure, ensures optimal tire grip, perfect balance, drivability, and consistent speed maintenance in both short and long-distance races.

According to LMDh category regulations, the peak output of the engine and hybrid system is limited to 500kW (680 horsepower). The power unit is controlled by Bosch’s electronic control unit (ECU). In compliance with LMDh regulations, the gearbox, battery, and motor-generator unit (MGU) use specified standard parts, which helps reduce the development costs of the race car.

The body was designed through the collaboration of Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department and the race design team. It features distinctive brand styling throughout the vehicle, including the iconic Y-shaped lights on the front and rear.

The newly unveiled SC63 will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America, with one unit each starting in 2024. The Iron Lynx team, which partnered during the 2022 Lamborghini Grand Final, will manage the racing operations for both series. Experienced drivers Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli, and newcomers Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat will participate, with additional drivers to be confirmed in the second half of 2023.

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr