REPORT: Aston Martin to develop all-new LMP1 car for 2011
Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 - click above for high-res image gallery
For its current Le Mans prototype racing program, Aston Martin has teamed up with veteran chassis builder Lola to create a car powered by a race-ready version of its production V12. But the current 6.0-liter twelve-cylinder won't be allowed under the new Automobile Club de l'Ouest prototype rules that go into effect for 2011, so a new powerplant will be required.
To that end, AutoWeek is reporting that Aston Martin chairman Dave Richards has revealed that the British firm has begun work on a successor – and this time, the work is being done in-house, with the new car slated to be powered by an all-new bespoke race engine. Details are slim, however, with Richards only confirming that the engine will be powered by gasoline.
Work on the new car has been ongoing for more than two months. However, the team opted not to run the new chassis in 2010 because the gas-diesel equivalency rules are still unfavorable. Richards has also confirmed that financing for the new car has already been lined up.
Gallery: Lola-Aston-Martin LMP1
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRodzNKustoms 10:09AM (9/25/2009)
You mention a rule change but what is that rule change? Are they limiting LMP1 to 5 liters?
I love the Lola-Aston cars they remind me of Lolas of days gone by.
Reply
hoyaCS08 10:10AM (9/25/2009)
I assume from the above that the petrol-diesel equivalency rules favor diesel less in 2011? Pleeease Peugeot, make a high-revving, ear-splitting petrol version of the 908. That would be hot.
Reply
audi_arena 10:15AM (9/25/2009)
FAVOR diesel? How does a 30kg weight penalty and half the gas tank size favor diesel??
hoyaCS08 10:27AM (9/25/2009)
Those are the 2011 regulations you are referring to? If I remember the 2009 rules correctly, diesels were allowed a few liters less fuel (to counter the higher energy content of a liter of diesel vs. petrol), but were allowed to run 5.5L turbos, whereas the petrol engines were either 6.0L NA or 4.0L turbos. That definitely favors diesel, as evidenced by the R15 and 908 being the only competitive cars in the P1 class
Soccer Mom 10:31AM (9/25/2009)
Just a general comment on the design - Audi looks modern and stunning, Peugeot - not so much, but tolerable, Aston looks like it was designed in 1980s and painted using left-overs of the original Ford GT40.
Reply
skitch 10:55AM (9/25/2009)
which 80s car does that resemble?...and the gulf colors are classics...thats the idea
Todd 12:08PM (9/25/2009)
After what you said, it does look a bit like the old Group C cars, but is that a bad thing?
And the Gulf Livery is a classic, Hell, I wanna see more classic livery going on: Pink Pig, Martini Racing...etc.
tifosiotaku 11:43AM (9/25/2009)
"...and painted using left-overs of the original Ford GT40."
And you say that like it's a bad thing!
Reply
johdaxx 1:46PM (9/25/2009)
Yeah - I hope they keep the spirit of this year's car, it was the best sounding one flying by the stands!
Reply
rxallan 5:22PM (9/25/2009)
I wish F1 would adopt the same rule format. I like cars with different engine / fuels combinations racing against each other.
Reply