Porsche Teases 2023 Le Mans Return With All-New LMDh Prototype

Sadly, unlike Toyota and Peugeot, who are currently developing custom cars for the massively expected Hypercar category, Porsche will build the new racer to the new LMDh regulations, which stipulate spec chassis and powertrains, so development is much cheaper.

That said, the LMDh category will be highly disputed as well since it will revive the fierce brotherly rivalry between Audi and Porsche in recent years.

“In the medium term, Porsche focuses on three different drive concepts: fully electric vehicles, efficient plug-in hybrids and emotional combustion engines. We want to represent this trilogy in both the development of our cutting-edge road cars and in motorsport. We use the all-electric drive to contest the FIA Formula E as part of our works commitment, and the highly efficient and emotional combustion unit in GT racing. Now, the LMDh class closes the gap for us. There, powerful hybrid drives – like the ones that are mounted in many of our brand’s models – go up against each other. If the regulations eventually allowed the use of synthetic fuels, then that would be an even greater incentive for me in terms of sustainability,“ said Michael Steiner, Porsche Board Member for Research and Development.

Starting with 2023, LMDh cars will make up a new top category in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Built to spec, they are all powered by a hybrid powertrain that develops a combined output of 500 kW (670 hp/680 PS), with each car tipping the scales at around 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds).

Based on a modified LMP2 chassis, only the spec for the hybrid system and the ECU are standardized, while four different manufacturers are building the chassis. In other words, Porsche is free to select the concept for both the combustion engine and the body design as long as it falls into the framework for the regulations. It sure will be a tight race in 2023.