Photo: Lamborghini
Lamborghini made a grand appearance at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, where it unveiled its groundbreaking SC63, the brand’s first-ever hybrid sports prototype. This remarkable car is scheduled for early testing in August and is set to compete in the Hypercar class of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Sportscar Championship in 2024.
The Hypercar Era
The SC63 will participate in two of the most prestigious endurance races: the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of sports cars. Gone are the days when these cars struggled to complete endurance races, as the SC63 leads the way in the era of hypercars in endurance racing.
Photo: Lamborghini
It joins the ranks of Alpine’s A242, Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche as part of the inaugural LMDh entrants for 2023. This release is just one step in Lamborghini’s roadmap towards full electrification by 2028, following the company’s commitment in 2022 to move away from fuel-only vehicles and focus on reducing carbon emissions.
Photo: Lamborghini
A Look Beneath The Hood
The SC63 boasts a newly designed 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, specifically developed for its racing program. This engine features a “cold V” configuration, with the turbos mounted outside the V-angle, enhancing cooling and servicing efficiency. The “cold V” design also lowers the car’s center of gravity, optimizing tire grip and balance for endurance racing.
Photo: Lamborghini
To comply with LMDh regulations, which require teams to purchase a chassis from designated manufacturers, Lamborghini partnered with French manufacturer Ligier to design the SC63’s monocoque.
Photo: Lamborghini
Managing the motor output of the SC63 is a Bosch electronic control unit, which limits it to 500kW. The car incorporates eight different radiators, each serving specific functions like cooling the intercoolers, gearbox, air conditioning, Energy Recovery System (ERS), Energy Storage System (ESS), and water radiators.
Photo: Lamborghini
The engineering and design of the SC63 were heavily influenced by the cooling layout, taking into account worst-case scenarios, such as high ambient temperatures, to optimize its thermal efficiency.
Photo: Lamborghini
Engineering for Endurance
Designed as an endurance racer, the SC63 prioritizes a wide operating window to ensure peak performance while taking care of its tires even on aggressive track surfaces. Before track testing, the car undergoes intense development work using a Driver in the Loop (DiL) simulator. Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer, Rouven Mohr, emphasizes that motorsport serves as a valuable proving ground for their technology, and the learnings from developing the SC63 will be applied to future car production.
Photo: Lamborghini
Immediately Recognizable as Lamborghini
The collaboration between Lamborghini Squadra Corse and Lamborghini Centro Stile results in a car that is unmistakably a Lamborghini. The SC63 incorporates clear brand styling cues, such as the iconic Y-shaped lights at the front and rear, paying homage to Lamborghini’s heritage. Design elements inspired by iconic models like the Countach and the Revuelto coupé enhance the car’s aesthetics. Finished in a powerful Verde Mantis green with a Nero Noctis black strip, the SC63 proudly displays the Italian flag colors, symbolizing Lamborghini’s Italian roots.
Photo: Lamborghini
Looking Towards 2024 and Beyond
Italian racing team, Iron Lynx, is collaborating with Lamborghini in the LMHd category and is thrilled to run the SC63 in upcoming races. The driver lineup includes Lamborghini factory drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli, along with newcomers Daniil Kvyat and Romain Grosjean, who offer valuable feedback from their experiences with hybrids in Formula 1. Starting in 2024, one car will compete in the full FIA WEC, while the second car will race in the North American Endurance Championship races of the IMSA series.
The SC63 not only marks 60 years of Lamborghini but also celebrates the tenth anniversary of Lamborghini Squadra Corse. The past decade has seen remarkable achievements, with three class wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and two consecutive victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring. As we eagerly anticipate the grand battle of these hypercars of the future in 2024, Lamborghini continues to push the boundaries of innovation and pave the way for sustainable high-performance motoring.
The post Lamborghini SC63: Introducing the First Hybrid Sports Prototype first appeared on Retroworldnews.
