The debut of LMDh means a variety of new prototypes, but 2023 also brings new GT3 cars from Ferrari and Porsche, plus Australian Supercars from Ford and Chevrolet.
The debut of the LMDh brings four new factory prototypes to IMSA and Le Mans, headlined by the Porsche 963. The winningest manufacturer in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is returning with a turbocharged V-8 hybrid, set in the middle of a stylish new prototype. Porsche is partnered with Penske Racing to run the car’s factory programs in both IMSA and the World Endurance Championship, but the automaker will also provide cars to customers.
Cadillac’s step up from DPi to LMDh comes in the form of the V-LMDh, a prototype designed to take on both Daytona and Le Mans. The new car still features a naturally aspirated V-8, but the new engine is unrelated from what it ran in DPi. It is, however, the best-sounding car of the group.
While it may come with an unimaginative name, the BMW M Hybrid V8’s unforgettable design sets it apart from the rest of the LMDh field. The DTM-derived engine gives the car a unique story, while kidney grilles that light up at night add to an already otherworldly design. BMW will race the car in IMSA GTP with Rahal Letterman Lanigan this season, then add a WEC program with WRT next year.
Three of the four new-for-2023 LMDh-spec prototypes have V-8s. Acura stands alone with a new-for-2023 V-6, one that sits in an ARX-06 prototype that looks like a far more extreme version of their outgoing ARX-06. For now, the car is only scheduled to race in IMSA and is not planned to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While it is built to the LMH rule set, Ferrari’s first new factory-run racing prototype in half a century will race directly against the latest Porsche and Cadillac at Le Mans. The 499P and its 3.0-liter V-6 will race in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship only, although Ferrari could eventually race the 499P in IMSA in the future.
While the 963 may be grabbing all the headlines, Porsche is also debuting a new GT3 car next year. The latest 911 GT3 R is built with a focus on drivability, a major strength in the pro-am racing GT3 classes often involve.
Ferrari is also debuting two new cars this season, adding the 296 GT3 to the world of GT racing. It replaces the 488 GT3, which has raced since 2016 despite the road car it’s based on going out of production in 2019.
The former V8 Supercars series, now known as simply the Supercars Championship, is introducing a new generation of car next season. The demise of Holden means GM’s entrants will now be running Chevrolets, specifically Camaros.
While the Camaro is new to Supercars, the Mustang has been racing in place of the Ford Falcon for a few years. The next Mustang is based on the latest generation of the car, complete with its massive, aggressive grille.
Keyword: Here Are All the New Cars Racing in 2023