A long-lost car manufacturer pushes onto the WEC and Le Mans stage: Isotta Fraschini unveils its own hypercar
The new top class LMH/LMDh/GTP in endurance racing provides for the comeback of an Italian manufacturer: Isotta Fraschini. The luxury car manufacturer from Milan has now presented a hypercar with which they would like to compete in the World Endurance Championship WEC and at Le Mans in 2023.
The Italian LMH prototype was developed in England at Williams Advanced Technologies and is being built by sports car manufacturer Michelotto. The Italians were previously responsible for Ferrari’s GT3 models, but for the new 296 GT3 Ferrari is relying on the expertise of French manufacturer Oreca.
Isotta Fraschini’s hypercar has a 3-litre V6 turbo engine including a hybrid system that delivers power to the front axle. The system output is stated at 520 KW (707 hp). Other technical features include a seven-speed sequential gearbox, a carbon-fibre chassis and a brake-by-wire system.
Isotta Fraschini: Starting at Spa and Le Mans?
The final Isotta-Fraschini LMH is to be presented to the world public in February. The first race entries are scheduled for the 6h of Spa and the 24h of Le Mans in the spring. This means Isotta Fraschini will definitely miss out on the two inaugural races for the 2023 WEC season, namely the 1,000 miles of Sebring and the 6h of Portimao.
“The 2023 edition of the world’s most famous endurance race will be the centenary and there will be a record number of cars going for the win,” shares Isotta Fraschini in an official press release.
“For a return to the big international stage, there can be no more difficult challenge and Isotta Fraschini will not shy away from this confrontation that best suits his crest.” However, any participation still has to be rubber-stamped by the Long Distance Committee. Not a formality, as the Vanwall case shows.
ByKolles/Vanwall case as a cautionary example
ByKolles’ hypercar project was already ready to go for the 2022 WEC season, but was rejected by the FIA and ACO selection committee. Should Isotta Fraschini be granted participation, they would face a lot of top-class competition. In addition to Toyota, Peugeot and Glickenhaus, Cadillac, Ferrari and Porsche will also compete.
Isotta Fraschini also wants to build and sell road versions of his hypercar in the medium term. The Italian manufacturer produced automobile vehicles in the first half of the 20th century, then buses and ship engines, among other things. Its greatest successes in motorsport include victories in the 1907 Coppa Florio and the 1908 Targa Florio.
