[LM24] Lamborghini considering Le Mans options

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

Maybe I dreamed this, but wasn't there a Group C car with a Lamborghini engine at some point?

Yeah but they never showed up at LM, don't think even entered

Wish they had entered the Diablo for GTS in early 2000's

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Can't see it myself, I just can't imagine that there's sufficient ROI to make it worthwhile for them at the moment, due to the huge investments involved.

GTE, sure, and P2 if they have customers and can turn a near-profit, but I don't see that they would get enough out of P1.

I agree with this.

[Deleted]

They've had dozens of years to field out GT Lamborghinis at LM and haven't done so (in official capacity, and the Reiter Engineering tunings run by other privateers don't really count). And you don't get particularly great visibility out of running LMGTE, especially today with more factories upper in hierarchy.

If they do come up with LMP at some point, could Dallara help with the chassis? Regarding the new Huracan

With the new Huracán LP620-2 Super Trofeo the historic partnership between the brand founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini back in 1963 and Gian Paolo Dallara, now becomes even closer. The same Dallara was among the first engineers who worked on Lamborghini cars and had a key role in the development of the legendary Miura.

"For Dallara Engineering, it has been very rewarding to be involved in the aerodynamic and body development of a high performance car such as the Huracán Super Trofeo. From my personal point of view it has been for me a kind of 'homecoming'," said Giampaolo Dallara, "50 years ago, Lamborghini gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in ambitious and successful projects, and this new collaboration allows me to feel part of a company in which I have experienced moments of intense personal and professional achievement."

[Rodger Davies]

GTE I'd say is less of a 'visibility' thing and more of a brand strengthening tied into existing owners, dealers and car clubs. However, if the typical Lamborghini owner isn't looking for this, then I'd agree that this wouldn't seem worthwhile, but maybe they're being told otherwise by their marketing department? They should have gathered a bit of info from their SRO participation (through Reiter) over the years, and clearly they've decided a GT3 car makes sense, although that may be purely as a for profit programme.

[TF110]

I dont read too much into their 'history'. They want to race at LM and they should. There shouldnt be an issue of seeing it happen by going off their previous attempts. It doesnt matter if we think it fits their image. They'll decide that. Not many of us here drive Lamborghini's, so what do the ones who hold stakes in the company feel? Thats who will decide. As a supercar brand, I think competing at a high level is a good showcase for them. Ferrari do F1, but also GTE and GT3. I dont think F1 is even in their mind. GT3 is coming from the factory next year. Do they 'follow' Ferrari, or do they go above them in lmp? I think the latter would give instant recognition and PR.

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by TF110

I dont read too much into their 'history'. They want to race at LM and they should.

Yeah never understood this pov that because they haven't done it before they shouldn't do it now.

[Mal]

Maybe the lack of racing heritage is an issue they want to put right? At the end of the day it is all part of the VW groups overall strategy.

[deggis]

They haven't needed racing image in the past though and their line up of a bit ridiculous supercars not always based on performance alone (look at the latest Aventador model, Venemo) haven't changed much.

[Mal]

Don't always rely on the past to judge what they want to do in the future.

Lamborghini sell a fraction of the cars Ferrari do and have no racing heritage. There are more and more low volume brands coming in with supercars, such as Pagan, McLaren etc. Maybe VAG want to develop Lamborghini into. A more direct rival to Ferrari rather than as a born again tractor company making 'ridiculous' cars.

It is also no secret that VAG have been trying to acquire Ferrari and perhaps they have abandoned that and decided to move Lamborghini into a more direct rival.

Speculation I know but my point is that history is not the only barometer of what they may do in the future.

[Deleted]

I don't really recall many questioning why Aston Martin chose P1 five years ago, even though they are in the same league as Lambo with pricey glamour sports cars in the market but nothing else. AMR was also running with shoestring budget and unfavored fuel

[TF110]

At least they have history in prototypes on their side. It shouldnt make a difference imo. They all start somewhere.

[ATCT]

In the US the Trofeo Series has been doing very well, plus the World Challenge car. There will be a Lamborgini for 2016 in Tudor.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by ATCT

In the US the Trofeo Series has been doing very well, plus the World Challenge car. There will be a Lamborgini for 2016 in Tudor.

Welcome to the forum! Will that 2016 car be a GT or P car?

[seanyb505]

Hurucan. Can't remember where, though it's been mentioned on the board. IIRC they were wanting to enter a GTDesque GT3 near the end of 2015. I think Maelochs and I were speculating it would be to showcase how the Hurucan fairs in the lowest TUSC class prior to the class adopting full GT3 regs.

Edit, complete with link to s365 story: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...139149&page=11

[Mike E]

@24hoursoflemans has been tweeting pics of Lamborghinis at Le Mans. Not a coincidence, surely?

[Deleted]

Le Mans dot org have also re-posted old Lambo articles. But then again they often just put out random things with zero relevance anyway

[Simmi]

Yep I find their media output to be very speculative. How connected the web/social team are to the key people at the ACO I'm not sure.

[deggis]

Fillon once spilled out Toyota in an interview way before Toyota had announced anything at all, so that culture is deeply rooted in ACO...

But still I don't think the tweeting has any connection. They have hyped up even less meaningless rumors previously.

[David Land]

I would like to see Lambo buy a chassis from Audi or Porsche and put a V10 in it.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by David Land

I would like to see Lambo buy a chassis from Audi or Porsche and put a V10 in it.

And what then, call it Lamborghini R18 LMP1?

That'd be DP bodywork logic but without the bodywork. So P2 rebranding

[Koenigsegg]

They could do a Bentley.

Audi or Porsche LMP1 underneath with a different body and a Audi or Porsche engine with Lamborghini badge.



I guess Subaru could do the same with a Toyota.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by David Land

I would like to see Lambo buy a chassis from Audi or Porsche and put a V10 in it.

How about convincing the Volkswagen Group to make a common LMP1 chassis so that all four marques can race.

All they need is add manufacturer-specific bodywork, and you got Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche racing together as they share the chassis tub cost.

Of course, it wouldn't work!

[morningview66]

So are we expecting to see G-Drive Lamborghini's in LMP2 next year. G-Drive have previously mentioned that they will be using a new engine in LMP2 from a 'prestige' car manufacturer?

Lambo mention Le Mans, possibly LMP1, but they might use LMP2 as a stepping stone.

Im just putting two and two together. Could be a wild guess, but if i'm right, then, you heard it here first!!

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by morningview66

Im just putting two and two together. Could be a wild guess, but if i'm right, then, you heard it here first!!

Not really, it's been suggested couple of times already

[Speed-King]

So - have we answered the question about which engine Lamborghini would use for a P2 yet?

The V10 from the Gallardo has two cylinders and .2 litres of capacity too many to comply with the current P2-regs.