ford s new hypercar shows its face for the first timeFord's Le Mans Hypercar project is no longer an abstraction. Wrapped in dizzying white and blue geometric camouflage, the American automaker's endurance wagon officially turned its first wheels at France's Circuit Paul Ricard.Powered by a 5.4-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine derived from the Mustang's 5.0-litre Coyote, hand-built in Dearborn, the test marks a major milestone for the Blue Oval's return to the top tier of international sports car racing. Ford released a handful of preview images following an initial system shakedown on August 5, offering a first look at the prototype's proportions before its official debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year.Ford's New Hypercar Shows Its Face For The First Time"Testing of the Hypercar began on Wednesday 5 August, starting with several days of running-in tests, which went smoothly and according to plan," Ford Racing explained in the statement.AdvertisementAdvertisement"The team methodically followed a comprehensive programme to activate and verify every control system; these are now all fully operational and ready for the first track tests scheduled for this week and next."Ford's full driver lineup staff was on site to oversee the milestone, including veterans Matt Campbell, Mike Rockenfeller, and Tom Blomqvist.Ford's New Hypercar Shows Its Face For The First TimeThough the swirled, high-contrast testing livery washes out any subtle aerodynamic details, the core silhouette reveals plenty. Prominent front fender louvers, a central stability fin running down the spine, and an aggressive rear wing showcase a design built strictly around WEC hypercar regulations. It kind of looks like Ford and ORECA took inspiration from the best bits of aero from Ferrari and Porsche, while following Cadillac's playbook with the big naturally aspirated V8 engine.Because race car development moves fast, the aero package seen in these initial images is bound to evolve significantly as wind-tunnel data converts into track testing over the coming months. Ford has not yet released telemetry data, engine specifications, or driver feedback from the Paul Ricard runs.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.