Porsche and Audi will use a twin-turbo V8 for their LMDh cars

Porsche revealed it was using what it described as “a high-capacity twin-turbo V8” in its hybrid LMDh, which performed its first shakedown tests earlier this month.

The engine will be common to the LMDh from Volkswagen’s sister brand, Audi, which is being developed in parallel with the Porsche around the next-generation LMP2 design from Canadian organization Multimatic.

The engine’s capability or its origins have not been disclosed by Porsche, but the brand’s new motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach has indicated that the new engine is based on a production unit rather than being specifically designed for use. the race.

“We were spoiled for choice with our LMDh prototype engine, as the product line offers several promising base units,” Laudenbach said.

“We opted for the V8-biturbo, which we believe offers the best combination of performance, weight and cost.”

The only V8 in Porsche’s road car lineup is the four-liter direct-injected twin-turbo found in both the four-door Panamera and the Cayenne SUV.

The new racing engine performed as expected during initial testing at Porsche’s Weissach proving ground, according to Urs Kuratle, general project manager for the LMDh program.

“During these first days of testing in Weissach, the V8-biturbo impressed us in every way,” he said.

“We are convinced that we have chosen precisely the right unit.”

Porsche said in its latest LMDh announcement that the engine’s maximum output is between 480 and 520 kW – or 643 to 697 hp – under new class regulations.

The combined power of the internal combustion engine and the 40 kW (53 hp) hybrid system developed by Williams Advanced Engineering, Bosch and Xtrac is capped at 520 kW for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 500 kW (670 hp) for the others. races.

The only other details provided by Porsche in its latest statement were a maximum engine speed of 10,000 rpm and that the engine with its intake and exhaust systems weighs at least 180 kg according to regulations.

It is also fully compatible with the new WEC biofuel supplier that TotalEnergies is introducing for the 2022 season.

The name of the Team Penske-run factory that will represent Porsche in both WEC and IMSA from next year was also revealed in the latest statement: it will operate under the Porsche Penske Motorsport banner.

The deployment of the Porsche LMDh with Frédéric Makowiecki at the wheel was the first outing of the new entity.

“The team worked well from the start: it shows a high level of professionalism in all areas,” Kuratle said.

“After all, the operational requirements for the safe operation of a hybrid vehicle are very high.

“In future releases, we will focus on deepening the required processes and procedures.”

The tests of the new Porsche were to pass on a real racing circuit before the end of January.

Porsche’s announcement on Thursday morning was titled “Porsche LMDh prototype enters active testing phase.”

Audi revealed last year that its LMDh would operate in the first quarter of 2022, but has yet to elaborate further.