Ferrari unveil 499P which signals momentous return to Le Mans racing

Returning to the elite class of Le Mans for the first time in 50 years, the new Ferrari 499P has big shoes to fill in the highly competitive WEC series. This is the red and yellow-liveried hybrid competitor in all of its glory. 

499P

Image: Ferrari

It has been half a century since Ferrari last contended the top tier of the Le Mans series. As such, the Italian automaker steeped in motorsport has drawn inspiration from elite racecars of yesteryear for their newcomer. The name, for example, continues the nomenclature that the Maranello outfit has used for the past few decades. The 499 refers to the cubic capacity in centimetres of each cylinder while the subsequent letter represents the word prototype. 

Related: Porsche 963 debuts at Goodwood as LMDh prototype for the 2023 season

Following regulations, the model employs a 3,0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with Formula 1-derived hybrid assistance. With a 120-degree layout, the automaker has confirmed that it is not the same motor that has been employed on the Ferrari 296 GT3 racecar and GTB road car citing structural differences. The V6 was chosen for its lightweight and compact layout while the combined output with a 900-volt battery is rated at the regulated 500 kW. 

499P

Image: Ferrari

Similar to the Formula 1 hybrid system, the front-mounted electric motor rated at 200 kW draws power from the 900-volt battery that is recharged during deceleration and braking. Delivering the power to the rear wheels is a seven-speed sequential transmission.

While the name of the 499P signals the racing heritage of the Prancing Horse, the historic details continue with its racing numbers and livery colour choice. The model which was ushered into the world at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Imploa bears Daytona SP3 design cues while the livery itself harkens back to the 312PB of the early 1970s – the last time the team contended the elite tier of the Championship. 

On the side of the models will be the race numbers #50 and #51 with the first representing the same amount of years since Ferrari contended the top tier of Le Mans and the latter simply being a prolific number employed in Ferrari GT race cars. 

499P

Image: Ferrari

Prior to its release and 2023 entrance into the FIA World Endurance Championship, the model has completed over 12 000 km of testing with the two prototypes scheduled on being fully homologated before the end of the year. The first race it will contend will be the Sebring 100 Miles in mid-March. 

The post Ferrari unveil 499P which signals momentous return to Le Mans racing appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem
Read more

Could this teased Lancia sports car be a reborn Stratos?

Image
Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker? Image: Lancia #MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados. Related: Automobili Amos debut Martini Racing Livery Lancia Delta and Safarista What better way to do this th
Read more