Rumor: Acura to announce LMDh IMSA and WEC Prototype (NO!) (Update)

This rumor is downgraded to ‘false’ today. Acura DID NOT announce an LMDh entry but instead announced that Wayne Taylor Racing (dropping Cadillac) and Meyer Shank Racing will run Acura DPIs in IMSA – replacing Team Penske.

However, Acura boss Ted Klaus said it was their intent to pursue a LMDh program – it is still being studied and it is their intention to go forward with such a program.

Acura is expected to announce at 11:00am ET Wednesday that they will develop a car for IMSA that meets the new LMDh specifications and that Acura might also sell the cars to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Major automotive manufacturers will work together with one of four approved chassis constructors – Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic or ORECA – to develop their LMDh race cars. Between the manufacturer’s internal combustion engine and a spec hybrid powertrain system, each LMDh car will have a combined power output of 500 kilowatts (just over 670 horsepower).

Minimum weight will be 1,030 kilograms (just over 2,270 pounds), with a maximum width of two meters (roughly six-and-a-half feet), a maximum length of 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) and a common wheelbase for all cars of 3.15 meters (10.3 feet). Each LMDh car will have advance upper body styling, allowing each automotive manufacturer to bring their own identity and styling cues, while each LMDh will have a controlled underfloor.