10 interesting facts about the Ferrari 499P Hypercar
Photos: Ferrari
Ferrari has unveiled its all-new 499P LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) prototype which will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 50 years and will race in the new LMH category of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Here are ten facts about the Ferrari 499P LMH you need to know:
The Ferrari 499P is the first elite sports car since the 312PB 50 years ago.
The "499" in the name refers to the cubic centimeter volume of each cylinder, and the "P" designates the vehicle as the most recent in the history of Ferrari sports prototype racers.
The hybrid system of the 499P was specifically designed for the vehicle, however it largely drew inspiration from Ferrari's Formula 1 program.
Behind the 499P's custom carbon fiber monocoque, Ferrari designed a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 based on the architecture of the 296 GTB road car and 296 GT3 racer.
The mill is assisted by a front-mounted electric motor connected to a 900-volt battery pack, which recharges during acceleration and braking, even though it is not mandated by its class.
The 499P's two power units have a combined maximum output of 670 horsepower in accordance with LMH regulations.
All four wheels can get power from an Xtrac seven-speed transmission, which is not permitted on vehicles in the more restrictive LMDh class.
Unlike the engines in the other runners, the mill in the 499P and the seven-speed sequential transmission connected to it are stressed units, which means they are a part of the structure.
The Hypercar’s livery is reminiscent of the Ferrari 312PB raced in 1972, a nod to Ferrari's last involvement in endurance racing half a century ago. The two cars will bear the numbers 50 and 51, and their driver line-ups will be announced in the near future.
The design of the new Ferrari 499P was refined with the support of the Ferrari Styling Centre led by Flavio Manzoni. The car's technical and aerodynamic aspects have been improved to showcase the Italian automaker's DNA, with styling cues originally used on the Ferrari Daytona SP3.
The 499P has done more than 7,500 miles of testing so far and is scheduled to make its competitive debut at the 1000 Miles of Sebring, which will take place in mid-March 2023. Ferrari will have enough time to fine-tune the cars before the June 24 Hours of Le Mans.