Ligier Automotive has revealed its third generation LMP3 car, the JS P325, today at the Circuit de La Sarthe ahead of its global race debut next year.
The JS P325 follows the original JS P3 from 2015 and the JS P320 that made its debut in 2020. It has been developed to accommodate the new-for-2025 twin-turbo V6 engine, which will replace the outgoing Nissan VK56 V8 at the end of the year.
The new engine is understood to be a Toyota V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6 from ORECA, which has appeared in a number of high-end Toyota and Lexus sedans and SUVs.
The JS P325 (the first 2025 LMP3 car to be revealed) is essentially an evolution of the JS P320. The four LMP3 manufacturers have only been permitted to modify the engine “perimeter, layout, and cooling” of their existing chassis to accommodate the new engine.
“This twin-turbo V6 requires greater cooling than the naturally aspirated V8, and the power to be dissipated is greater,” says Richard Tur, the COO at Ligier Automotive.
“As a result, we had to make significant modifications to the water-cooling circuit, which also cools the turbocharger’s air circuit. We had already done this with the Ligier JS PX, equipped with a twin-turbo V6, and on the Lamborghini SC63, fitted with a twin-turbo V8 engine.”
Development work on the car was completed by Olivier Pla, who had previously worked with Ligier on its JS P2, JS P3, JS P320 and JS PX projects.
“Engine cooling impacts the car’s aerodynamics and drag,” emphasises Tur. “Validating these developments on track was vital, particularly on a straight.”
Ligier says the car’s test programme will run over the summer, during which Ligier will fine-tune the car before its homologation by the end of August.
The new-for-2025 LMP3 cars will be introduced to the European Le Mans Series and Le Mans Cup, with a wider rollout worldwide expected after that.
Orders are now being taken, and the first deliveries are scheduled for the final quarter of 2024. Existing JS P320 customers have the choice of either acquiring a new model or updating their current cars with an upgrade kit.
A show car is set to be presented to the public and prospective teams on-site at Le Mans during race week.
Images courtesy of Ligier Automotive
