Ahead of the opening round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season tomorrow in Barcelona, the ACO has reaffirmed that the next-generation LMP2 cars are on track to debut in 2028.
The announcement confirms that the new regulations, which will see ORECA and Ligier offer brand new (twin-turbo V6) Gibson-powered prototypes, will “deliver a significant step forward in safety through an improved survival cell.”
Going into further detail, the ACO also noted that the target weight of the new cars will be 950 kg, that Goodyear remains the exclusive tyre supplier and that the aero characteristics “will stay close to the current cars, with simple adjustments to suit the specific demands of Le Mans.”
When the new cars debut, they will be guaranteed spots on the grid in the European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hours. As for IMSA, it has not yet been confirmed whether the cars will debut in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in year one.
“Today, we are proud to confirm the next chapter of LMP2,” said Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO.
“With this 2028 generation, we are building on a proven success while preparing for the future—enhancing safety, preserving performance and driving pleasure, and ensuring cost control for our competitors. LMP2 will remain at the very heart of endurance racing for many years to come.”
