The FIA, in partnership with the ACO (and subsequently in partnership with IMSA) has today issued the first of two Tenders that will shape the next ruleset for LMP2, the first change since 2017 to the successful class that has seen dozens of cars competing in the FIA WEC, ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA.
The tender issued today is for powertrain and electronics, and differs from the 2017 LMP2 regulations in that the entire powertrain will be to a single specification rather than simply the engine last time.
The 2017 regulations saw chassis manufacturers permitted to select their own choice of gearbox supplier with Gibson Technologies supplying the GK 428 normally aspirated 4.2 litre V8 engine after their successful tender response.
Gibson were initially awarded an extension to their engine supply contract that would have seen them take the GK428 into a new era of LMP2 until the end of the 2030 season before an abrupt change to those plans were announced at Le Mans last year.
The current LMP2 formula will continue in the ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series, IMSA and at Le Mans until the end of the 2027 season.
The future powertrain tender makes it clear that a chassis tender will follow without revealing whether that is set to be a single source tender too.
It is further made clear that the awards for powertrain and chassis supply will not be issued to the same manufacturer(s).
Interested parties are being asked to post their formal bids by 30 April 2025 with the notification of the final decision on 10 June 2025 (the Tuesday of the week of the Le Mans 24 Hours).
The tender specifies powertrain supply from 2028 through to the end of the 2032 season with the technical specification defined as follows:
Turbocharged engine weighing no more than 160 kg;
Dry sump with direct fuel injection preferred;
Power output of 420kw (563 bhp), adjustable to 380 kw (509 bhp)
;
With exhaust fitted sound levels must not exceed 100Db
.
The gearbox must be a 6 speed sequential with a mechanical limited slip differential
Tenders are invited for either or both lease and outright purchase of the powertrain with several cost cap measures imposed:
In case of lease, the price of lease of the engine, including engine control unit, should not exceed €1,500 (excl. VAT) per running hour.
In case of outright purchase, the price will depend on:
The service life of the engine must be greater than 14,000 km before servicing.
The cost of one engine, including engine control unit, must not exceed €1,750 (excl. VAT) per running hour all-inclusive (new parts, rebuilds and support); and
The service life of the transmission must be greater than 14,000 km before servicing.
The cost of one transmission should not exceed €550 (five hundred fifty euros) (excl. VAT) per running hour all-inclusive (new parts, rebuilds and support).
