All Four 2020 LMP3 Cars Break Cover at Le Mans

The four second-generation LMP3 cars from Ginetta, Duqueine Automotive, ADESS and Ligier Automotive have been shown in the public eye for the first time at Le Mans.

Each car will be available to buy as new, while existing LMP3 customers can upgrade their first-gen cars to comply with the upcoming 2020 regulations for a fee.

Increased power, more sophisticated aerodynamics and enhanced safety features are the key traits of the updated formula, which will be active until 2024.

Ginetta has introduced what it describes as a “brand-new” car, dubbed the G61-LT-P3, which has been built by the same team team that designed the British company’s LMP1 and previous-gen LMP3 contenders.

Ginetta calls its new car a “re-imagining” of its original LMP3 model that won the 2015 European Le Mans Series and has gone on to appear in other regional championships.

Company chairman Lawrence Tomlinson said: “We are proud to have pioneered the LMP3 class, investing in the concept and showing that our first car was a world-beater.

“Now we are back to show that the innovation that our first car displayed is still alive and well at Ginetta.”

German company ADESS AG launched an updated Evo version of its ADESS-03 prototype, with initial track testing of the new package set for later this month.

“We took into account the feedback from our customers and focused our efforts on increasing car performance and handling,” said ADESS CEO Stephane Chosse.

Duqueine Automotive has taken over the Norma car name after acquiring the French constructor in 2017 and has renamed the M30 chassis as the D08 for the new rules cycle.

It therefore becomes the eighth Duqueine-badged car and the first sports car to bear the name of the former open wheel manufacturer.

“The aerodynamics of the car have been reworked to improve its efficiency, as well as the reliability of all elements of the car,” said Duqueine general manager Yann Belhomme.

“The style is very similar to the car of 2019 because we were already very satisfied with the model currently engaged in the endurance championships.”

Ligier Automotive launched the Ligier JS P320 last week, and has already taken a customer order for United Autosports, which serves as the company’s UK agent.

The P320’s predecessor, the Ligier JS P3 Nissan, won the European LMP3 title on three occasions from 2016 to last year.

All four 2020 LMP3 cars will be powered by a spec Nissan VK56 V8 engine producing a total power output of 460 hp.

They will be eligible to compete in European series such as the ELMS, Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ultimate Cup next year, ahead of a full international roll-out in 2021.

Photo: ADESS