Lamborghini’s latest SC63 prototype racecar marked its debut in the United States at the 12 Hours of Sebring last weekend, joining a lineup that includes Porsche, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine, and Acura in the new LMDh class introduced last year. This class, as the acronym suggests, amalgamates the regulations for Le Mans and Daytona hybrid racecars, enabling manufacturers to compete at the pinnacle of global endurance racing.
Having previously raced at Lusail Circuit in Qatar, the SC63 arrived at Sebring after an expedited development timeline since its inception in 2022. Despite commencing development later than other teams in the series—most of which debuted at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2023—Lamborghini intends to continue competing with the Iron Lynx Racing Team throughout the remainder of the 2024 season before expanding its fleet with at least one additional car in 2025.
Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s CEO, explained to Robb Report at Sebring that the allure of the LMDh concept was irresistible for the brand. “We are in the midst of the transition from ICE engines to hybrid cars… This is one reason it perfectly fits to do LMDh, for testing ideas. It’s important for us; we have to have a learning curve,” he said.
Each LMDh team utilizes the same battery-electric hybrid system from Bosch but can customize their internal-combustion engine and aerodynamic packages, alongside choosing from four chassis options provided by Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic, or Oreca. While Porsche collaborated with Multimatic and adopted a twin-turbocharged V8, Lamborghini opted for a Ligier chassis—a unique decision within the field.
The SC63 features an entirely new twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8, distinct from any previous Lambo engine, emphasizing reliability over peak output under LMDh’s regulations. Despite a truncated development period and a crash in August 2023 that sidelined the car for approximately a month, the SC63 arrived at Sebring with modest expectations due to the track’s challenging conditions.
During the race, Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr noted that despite initial setbacks with tire warm-up issues after pit stops, the SC63 demonstrated promising performance, closing the gap between itself and the leading Acura to just 0.4 seconds by the end of the race—an impressive achievement considering the team’s singular vehicle and limited testing data.
Mohr highlighted the importance of collecting data and refining performance through competition, emphasizing Lamborghini’s commitment to continuous improvement. He likened the LMDh project to the brand’s GT3-class Huracans, viewing it as an opportunity to enhance Lamborghini’s overall competency and technological innovation.
The SC63’s seventh-place finish at Sebring represents a significant improvement from its performance in Qatar, setting a positive trajectory for Lamborghini as it progresses through the 2024 World Endurance Championship. As racing on Sunday to sell on Monday remains integral to Lamborghini’s ethos, the brand will continue striving for excellence on both the track and the road.
