Ford Motor(US:F) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-16 13:31Core Viewpoint - Ford has officially announced its technical plan to compete in the top category of the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race, aiming for its first championship in 58 years with a new LMDh supercar powered by a 5.4L naturally aspirated V8 engine derived from the Mustang GT3 race car [1][9]. Group 1: Technical Specifications - The new LMDh supercar will feature a 5.4L naturally aspirated V8 engine, which is a significant part of Ford's racing heritage [9]. - Ford has selected French company Oreca as its chassis partner and will develop its internal combustion engine while adhering to a unified hybrid system, with total output limited to 671 bhp [5][13]. - The car is currently in the wind tunnel testing phase and is expected to hit the track for the first time in the second half of this year [11]. Group 2: Historical Context and Future Aspirations - Ford aims to replicate the success of the 1960s GT40 era, during which it dominated the Le Mans race from 1966 to 1969 [11]. - This initiative marks Ford's return to the top category of Le Mans racing after the failures experienced during the Group C era [8][13]. - The V8 engine symbolizes Ford's core racing identity and serves as a crucial link between its historical achievements and future ambitions in endurance racing [7][13]. Group 3: Team and Driver Information - Ford has confirmed its full participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship starting in 2027, with a driver lineup that includes Priot, Rokkenfeller, and Sargent [11][13]. - Priot and Rokkenfeller will participate in the European Le Mans Series this year to validate the new project in real-world conditions [13].