Porsche and Audi have now officially confirmed the story first broken by Marshall Pruett on RACER.com that the VAG companies are partnering with Multimatic to build the LMDh racing cars that both brands will race in both IMSA and FIA WEC racing from 2023.
The new racing prototypes, fitted with a hybrid powertrain are already confirmed to race in both Championships with the new Porsche Penske Motorsport team already confirmed for both Series, and with Audi expected to confirm a similar programme shortly based around the same basic chassis package.
The regulations for the LMDh category stipulate that all prototypes in the new top class are to be based on the chassis of one of four approved manufacturers (Multimatic, Oreca, Dallara and Ligier). The acronym LMDh stands for Le Mans Daytona Hybrid. The cars will race in the new top class in IMSA from 2023 with the FIA WEC merging the LMDh cars into their new Hypercar class alongside the new for 2021 LMH-spec cars too.
Multimatic is a privately held, global enterprise supplying engineered components, systems and services to the automotive industry. Multimatic’s core competencies include the engineering and manufacturing of complex mechanisms, body hardware, suspension systems and body structures, as well as the design and development of lightweight composite automotive systems. Additionally, Multimatic delivers niche vehicle design, development and production for road and race applications.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Multimatic has manufacturing divisions and engineering facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. The company has been a key Porsche Motorsport partner for many years, most recently supplying shock absorbers to the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car which is being used in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America Presented by the Cayman Islands. Multimatic suspension components were also installed in the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, which in 2018 set a number of lap records on circuits such as the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, as well as in the Porsche 99X Electric Formula E race car and the Porsche 911 RSR in the WEC and IMSA GTLM class.
The new LMDh category will be part of the new top class at endurance classics such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and features a maximum in terms of cost effectiveness. It will be based on a chassis that each brand is permitted to combine with its own individually styled bodywork. Despite the tight regulations, manufacturers are given considerable freedom when it comes to the powertrain system. There are no specifications regarding the design and displacement of the combustion engine, for instance. Coupled with a standardized hybrid system, the engine output will be approximately 680 hp. The vehicle’s basic weight is specified at 1,030 kilograms (2,200 lbs).
Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Porsche Motorsport.
“Multimatic is the most obvious and logical solution for us. We have known this highly respected company and its team of experienced professionals for many years and are absolutely convinced of the quality of their work. We don’t have to set up a completely new business relationship with them, but can hit the ground running. That’s vital and is exactly what is needed when developing a new racing car. It is imperative that we eliminate friction losses to ensure that we are able to do a perfect job and deliver what is needed fast. There’s another factor of inestimable benefit. One part of Multimatic, like our team partner Penske, is based in Mooresville in North Carolina. Short distances and direct lines of communication will be of tremendous help in the development of the future LMDh prototype and in competition.”
Larry Holt, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Special Vehicle Operations.
“This partnership with Porsche Motorsport is the culmination of thirty years of building our expertise in the area of competition vehicle engineering and development. It is a privilege to be chosen by Porsche for their next chapter in global hybrid prototype competition. The LMDh concept, and rules convergence between the FIA WEC and IMSA championships is unprecedented, and Multimatic’s commitment to the new model is all-in. The collaboration has already proven to be seamless and the enthusiasm of the team is palpable in every meeting. I am equally delighted with the recent Porsche Penske Motorsport announcement as we have enjoyed a long relationship with Roger Penske and his organization, as both collaborator and competitor. I can think of no better team, than our North Carolina neighbour, to campaign the new cars.”
