There’s a new powerhouse revving on the tracks, one that blends the roar of a V8 engine with the hum of electric power. The new Lamborghini race car we’ve been wanting, the SC63, has been unveiled by Lamborghini Squadra Corse at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking a historic step in the world of endurance racing.
The Lamborghini SC63 isn’t just another impressive feat of engineering from the Italian manufacturer; it’s the embodiment of Lamborghini’s aggressive roadmap towards electrification or what they call “the Direzione Cor Tauri strategy.” Under this plan, all Lamborghini models will be hybridized by 2024.
The SC63 race car, Lamborghini’s most advanced racing car, is equipped with an all-new 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine developed specifically for this racing program. This ‘cold V’ engine configuration optimizes the car’s center of gravity and enhances tire grip, balance, drivability, and consistent speed for both single laps and long-distance races.
The hybrid system, which is standard across LMDh-category race cars, pairs with the engine to produce up to 670 horsepower. With this kind of power, the SC63 is set to compete in the Hypercar class of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Endurance Cup.
This Lamborghini hybrid race car represents the future of high-performance mobility and the electrification of the Lamborghini product range. Lamborghini has partnered with Italian team Iron Lynx to run the car in international competition, and has signed world-class drivers from Formula 1 and endurance racing.
Developing the SC63 required a wide array of expertise. Renowned experts Ligier partnered with Lamborghini to develop and build the monocoque, design the push rod front suspension, enhance the overall weight distribution, and create an ease of service for critical parts of the car.
Braking was another key focus for Lamborghini when designing the SC63. Given the tremendous stress that endurance racing places on brakes, engineers worked diligently to strike a balance between weight and durability, effective cooling, and accommodating different driving styles.
Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department, working with the race design team, created the car’s bodywork. The SC63 boasts unmistakable Lamborghini brand styling cues, including the iconic y-shaped lights at the front and rear.
The SC63 doesn’t just represent the future of Lamborghini; it’s a symbol of the evolution of motorsports towards a more sustainable era. The development of this hybrid race car serves as an exciting challenge from a technical standpoint and offers valuable learning experiences that can be applied to future production cars.
Lamborghini is ready for its biggest step into the future of motorsport. With world-class drivers and a high-performance hybrid system, the SC63 is poised to make waves in endurance racing, carrying forward the legacy of Lamborghini’s unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
As the green flag drops in 2024, watch for the Lamborghini SC63 in its distinctive Verde Mantis green livery, adorned with the black Nero Noctis strip and the green, white, and red colors of the Italian Tricolore. This is the next era of motorsport, and Lamborghini is leading the charge.