ByKolles Switches to Nissan LMP1 Engine

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

ByKolles Racing has confirmed a switch from AER to Nissan engines for the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship, with the privateer squad set to utilize the engine that powered the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO LMP1 cars.

The three-liter, twin-turbo V6 will be fitted into the team’s heavily upgraded CLM P1/01 chassis, which is expected to be the lone LMP1 Privateer entrant this season.

“Engine supply from NISMO is of great significance to our team,” said ByKolles Head of Operations Boris Bermes.

“After having to deal with many setbacks in the past due to engine reliability issues, for the 2017 season, we’re expecting a significant improvement in terms of both reliability as well as performance.”

Bermes said the car will receive other updates for this year as well.

“We’re relentlessly working on numerous additional improvements to our car,” he said. “As a result of the changes in regulations for 2017, we will be able to make big improvements to both the front and the rear, particularly in aerodynamics.

“In addition to that, our design engineers have achieved a reduction in weight, and have introduced comprehensive updates to mechanical components.

“We’re already looking forward to the first tests with our fully revamped CLM P1/01. For this year, we are looking to clearly demonstrate our improvements and continue to develop our CLM P1/01.”

Plans are underway to make the car available to customers for 2018, with or without the Nissan powerplant.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John