Ford’s Le Mans Hypercar Is Getting A Coyote V8 And A Formula 1 Driver
It’s share and share alike at Ford Racing.
Ford’s motorsports division has confirmed that the new Hypercar it is getting ready for the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans will be powered by a version of the 5.4-liter Coyote V8 that’s currently used by the Ford Mustang GT3 sports car.
Ford is designing the LMDh-spec (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) car around an Oreca chassis, but is developing the motor in-house. While rules limit the V8 to around 550 hp in GT3, the Hypercar will use it as part of a hybrid power unit that cranks out roughly 670 hp.
Ford said it is also tapping the hybrid technology expertise of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains operation that was formed to build power units for the Red Bull and Racing Bull Formula 1 teams.
Ford Racing’s goal is no less than an overall victory at Le Mans, which it last achieved in 1969 to cap off four straight wins that kicked-off with epic 1966 victory over Ferrari.
“If you think we’re going back to Le Mans without a V8, you’re out of your mind,” Ford Racing General Manager Will Ford said.
Ford has already picked out the Hypercar team’s drivers, who will help develop the car and program over the next year.. Ford Multimatic Motorsports IMSA GTD teammates Sebastian Priaulx and Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller will be moving up to the prototype class, while Logan Sargeant, the USA’s last Formula 1 driver, is a new signing to the Ford Racing team.
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Ford didn’t say exactly when the Hypercar’s final design will be revealed, but next year’s Ford Racing kick-off event is a pretty good bet.
It also hasn’t said what the car will be called, but a recent job listing for a Ford Racing communication’s position said it would involve working with “Ford’s Sports Car racing with Mustang including IMSA, WEC, Hypercar, etc.”