Lamborghini Unveils SC63 Hypercar, Will Compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The brand's first venture into the top-tier class of endurance racing, the SC63 hybrid will also join the GTP ranks of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. So, in addition to tackling the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lamborghini will also attempt to win the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. What a cool and unexpected way to celebrate 60 years since Ferruccio Lamborghini set up shop in Sant'Agata Bolognese.

Developed by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and designed by the company's Centro Stile department, the SC63 looks very familiar for two reasons. First, the design is obviously restricted by current FIA regulations, so the overall shape is similar to other Hypercars we've seen at the 2023 edition of Le Mans. Second, it shares some styling cues with the company's road-going models, most notably the Y-shaped headlamps and taillights.

The cars will sport the already iconic Verde Mantis (green) and Nero Noctis (black) livery we've seen on the Huracan GT3. The presentation model looks quite clean, but that will change when the SC63 hits the track with loads of sponsorship decals. Not surprisingly, Lamborghini will collaborate with Swiss watch manufacturer and long-time partner Roger Dubuis in this venture as well.

Developed in cooperation with Ligier (the companies worked together in Formula One decades ago), the monocoque chassis houses an all-new, 3.8-liter V8 engine. Developed specifically for this program, the twin-turbo lump works with the standard motor generator, gearbox, and battery required by the WEC and IMSA. Technical details are scant as of this writing, but regulations limit powertrain output to 680 PS (670 horsepower). A Bosch electronic control unit manages all that oomph.

Lamborghini's most advanced race car to date, the SC63 will begin testing in August 2023 and will hit the race track in January 2024. Surprisingly, the Italians plan to run only two cars through the Iron Lynx team. One will compete in the entire 2024 World Endurance Championship season, while the second racer will tackle the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Lamborghini has confirmed four drivers for the SC63 program, starting with factory aces Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli. The Italians will team up with Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat, both with several years of experience in Formula One. Other drivers will be announced by the end of 2023.

The SC63 marks the company's first venture into the premier class at Le Mans. Unlike Ferrari, Lamborghini made only brief appearances at Circuit de la Sarthe. The first one dates back to 1975, when Paul Rilly entered a modified 400 GT. The V12-powered race car failed to reach the starting grid after an accident during practice.

Lamborghini did not return to Le Mans until 2006, when a Murcielago R-GT was entered by a Japanese team in the LM GT1 class. The car failed to complete the last lap and was not classified. The R-GT returned yearly until 2010 but retired early in all but one race.

But even though it failed to impress at Le Mans, Lamborghini had resounding success away from Circuit de la Sarthe with more than 100 overall and class win in GT3 racing. Will the SC63 follow in the footsteps of the Huracan GT3? I guess we'll have to wait until 2024 to find out.