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Porsche announced details of its new Prototype for ALMS competition. The car, designed for LMP2 competition, should shake the class up dramatically. Porsche, always known for reliability, will be entering a class where often the car with the least amount of problems wins the race. If Porsche is able to build a reliable prototype, it could revamp the face of the class.
Porsche disclosed early technical information and images of the first prototype racecar it has designed and constructed since the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans winning Porsche 911. GT1. The new model was commissioned by Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) and Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) for racing customers who compete in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) class of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
It features a completely new Porsche engine, transmission, and chassis, all incorporating the latest in Porsche automotive technology and created to conform to new 2006 rules and regulations of international sanctioning body Automobil Club de l'Ouest (ACO).
The heart of the new Porsche LMP2 is its newly-designed 3.4-liter, 90-degree, V8 engine. Limited to 480 horsepower at 10,100 rpm by ACO air restrictor regulations, the power plant is lightweight with a very low center of gravity. It features four valves per cylinder, a dry sump lubrication system, and an air intake manifold with single cylinder throttle valves.
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