Ride onboard with the race leader Alessandro Pier Guidi (Ferrari Hypercar #51) during of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. The FIA World Endurance Championship is the world’s premier international sportscar championship, contested over seven rounds across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. With multiple cars across three categories (Hypercar, LMP2 and LMGTE Am) all on track at the same time, the WEC is a sports car extravaganza that offers action, overtakes, excitement and entertainment for fans worldwide.
A hypercar considers what’s being done and moves beyond it. Performance — and particularly top speed and acceleration — is the key determining factor, though there are no agreed-upon demarcations. The hypercar designation is fluid with where engineering is at the time.
The Ferrari 499P is a limited edition car with only 499 units being produced. The car is priced at $1.9 million, making it one of the most expensive cars in the market. Mar 20, 2023.
The 499P has semi-permanent all-wheel drive, with an electric motor situated at the front axle, providing 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp) above 120 km/h (75 mph) (as stipulated by the regulations), and is connected to a bespoke 900 V battery pack, with the ability to be recharged by Ferrari’s own Energy Recovery System (ERS). Tipo F163 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in) 120° V6 twin-turbocharged, longitudinally-mounted. Xtrac 7-speed sequential manual transmission.
Competing under LMH regulations (as opposed to LMDh), the chassis, engine, hybrid system and running gear are all bespoke by Ferrari. A derivative of Ferrari’s 296 GT3 engine, a hot vee, twin-turbo 3.0-litre 120-degree V6, will power the 499P.
The hybrid powertrain energy recovery system (ERS) is regulation limited to a maximum power output of 200 kW (272 hp). The electric motor is equipped with a differential and is driven by a battery that is recharged during deceleration and braking, requiring no external power source. The battery pack, with a nominal voltage of 900v, benefits from experience honed in Formula 1, although it was purpose-built for the project. The 499P’s overall maximum power output is 500 kW (680 hp), and the powertrain is coupled to a seven-speed sequential gearbox.