AIM-JUDD Confirms New V10 Engine for LMP1 Privateers

Photo: Engine Development

Engine Developments and AIM Co. announced on Friday a collaboration to build a new engine for LMP1 privateer teams to be used beginning next year.

British manufacturer Engine Developments is the brand behind the Judd engines and is set to work alongside AIM to produce a V10 engine.

The 5.5-liter powerplant badged as AIM-JUDD is designed to avoid issues found on turbocharged engines or naturally-aspirated V8 and V12 designs.

It will feature a new 72-degree cylinder block weighing less than previous Judd and AIM designs and an updated engine management system alongside several other improvements.

Judd had plans to offer a similar engine to teams in 2016 but it was never used.

“We believe the V10 platform should be the natural choice for any LMP1 team that is serious about having a trouble-free run in the 2018 [24 Hours of Le Mans] race,” a statement from Engine Developments read.

“We are delighted we will take on the Le Mans challenge again with our friends and long-standing partners AIM in this new and exciting program.”

The engine is expected to be made available to privateer teams on a lease-only basis for use in the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Constructors with LMP1 privateer programs in the works for next season include Ginetta, Dallara/BR Engineering and ByKolles although ORECA could also produce a car in time for 2018.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.