First Shakedown of 2023 Porsche LMDh Prototype!
Porsche’s bid for LeMans is underway as the Stuttgart crew give the LMDh prototype its first official public shakedown.
After FIA’s announcement of the LMDh prototype class – along with the hypercar class – the world waited to see who’d fall in to which category. Porsche decided to go the LMDh. Mostly because that class is a crossover class with IMSA, enabling them to target both European and North American markets. Up till now, Porsche has teased images of the yet-to-be-named prototype. Now thanks to Racer Magazine, we are given our first real-world look.
Powerwing this LMDh is an engine about as far removed from the Porsche 919 as possible. Instead of a compact turbo V4 hybrid, the LMDh will see V8 twin turbo hybrid power. Trust us, we’re not complaining. It sounds incredible. On that note it is running on just internal combustion power alone in the videos. LDMh cars across the board will all be provided a spec hybrid system. So the same one that will eventually go in this Porsche will also be in BMW, Audi, Cadillac and Acura prototypes, too.
Porsche’s newest prototype has an all new look, too. Where the 919 had large pontoon fenders that jutted forward, this prototype has a front end far more like the 956 Group C racer. Low frontal aera and scooping bodywork remind us of the old racer, which is exactly what Porsche intended. But, this car’s silhouette still carries the large dorsal fin as is typical with all modern cars of this class.
The powerhouse of Penske Racing will be the driving force behind this new Porsche. Considering Roger Penske’s track record, performance of the Porsche is bound to be good right out of the box. And Penske can approach this project with a fresh vision. A CBS report says Penske will shutter its NASCAR Xfinity efforts, which means that attention can be shifted to the enduro racer.
Want to hear it? Check out this tweet from Porsche Motorsport below.
#PorschePenskeMotorsport – The brand-new #Porsche LMDh prototype turned it’s first laps at Weissach with works driver @FredMako1 behind the wheel. How do you like our car for the 2023 @FIAWEC and @IMSA championships?#PorscheLMDh @Team_Penske @24hoursoflemans pic.twitter.com/HrVIqXTvMe
— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) January 14, 2022
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