Ferrari Le Mans: Ferrari Unveils Its Highly-Anticipated 499P Hypercar

Ferrari to Return To Le Mans After 50 Years in 2023

Since 1971, Ferrari has not participated in Le Mans. Now, the Italian automaker has unveiled the all-new 499P Le Mans Hypercar. It will be the automaker’s first to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in nearly 50 years.

The 499P Le Mans Hypercar was revealed over the weekend in Imola. Car enthusiasts knew that Ferrari would unveil it soon. After a decade-long absence, the Italian marque announced plans to return to the storied endurance race in March 2021. Even this year, the brand teased the race car and got people talking about it.

Interestingly, the hypercar isn’t the most striking Le Mans prototype revealed this year. The Cadillac’s Project GTP Hypercar has that honour. The newly revealed car also rides low to the ground and has an ultra-aerodynamic design, including impressive features like large fenders, a bubble cockpit, and a giant rear wing.

The new car also has appealing details like its curvy lines and single-strip taillight. Also, the car is more attention-grabbing than the automaker’s road cars, but it is unmistakably a Ferrari.

The power of the 499P Le Mans Hypercar comes from a mid-rear-mounted 2.9-litre V-6. It shares architecture with the engines in the 296 GTB road car and 296 GT3 racers. The mill is assisted by a front-mounted electric motor which is connected to a 900-volt battery pack. It recharges during acceleration and braking.

The setup of the race car can produce a regulation-capped 680 hp. Unfortunately, the torque figure has not been announced yet. An Xtrac seven-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels. It is not allowed on vehicles from the stricter LMDh class. Also, Ferrari’s race car has its own custom-built carbon-fibre monocoque.

Ferrari has completed 7,500 hours of testing with the 499P. But still, some questions must be answered. For instance, there is no word yet on whether the 499P Le Mans Hypercar will be sold to private teams like the 296 G3. If it is allowed, no one knows how much it will cost. The car will make its competitive debut next March at the 1,000 Miles of Sebring in Florida. Till that time, the automaker can focus on the process of fine-tuning the vehicles.