After a 3-year forced absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series will return for the 2023 season. The intercontinental one-make series is run in 3 regions; besides Asia, it is also run in Europe and North America. It is organized by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and teams use the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo model.
The 2023 season will be the ninth in the series and participants will travel to 5 countries across the Asia Pacific region before reuniting with the European and North American championship for the Lamborghini Grand Finals.
With the new FIA technical regulations coming into force this year, Lamborghini Squadra Corse has developed a new Huracan GT3 EVO2 which is an entirely new project. Compared to the Huracan GT3 EVO, which was homologated in 2019 and based on the Huracan EVO road car, the GT3 EVO2 is based on the Huracan STO and features all-new aerodynamic solutions and intake system.
It shares key design elements and rear-wheel drive only with the Huracan STO, and also the naturally aspirated V10 engine which, in the road version, delivers 640 bhp.
The two strong design elements – the hexagonal airscoop design and the rear fin – are derived from Huracan STO, contributing to a more efficient intake system and better car balance. The airscoop is connected to a snorkel, replacing the side air intakes, which optimally channels the airflow directly into the engine, resulting in greater responsiveness to the driver’s demands.
The introduction of 10 electronically actuated throttle bodies increases the efficiency of the V10 with titanium valves; the entire system, designed in-house by Lamborghini Squadra Corse, is fixed to the engine by just 4 screws, a solution introduced for the first time on the Essenza SCV12, to facilitate maintenance work.
The fully carbonfibre bodywork has a muscular design created in collaboration with Lamborghini’s Centro Stile. The new splitters, diffuser and underbody enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The carbonfibre floor, coated with high-strength Zylon fibre, together with the new diffuser, provides greater downforce than the current generation GT3 EVO.
Other innovations include the rear wing, which is mounted on aluminium alloy pillars inspired by those of the STO. The new supports allow for greater precision in adjusting the wing compared to those of the EVO model.
The redesigned roll cage, with the introduction of two rear pillars, and the new carbon-Kevlar honeycomb side panels, already tested on the Essenza SCV12, increases safety in the event of impact on the doors in compliance with the FIA 2022 regulations. The plexiglas side windows are now fixed to the carbonfibre door panel by means of a ring of screws for greater structural rigidity and reliability.
Stopping power has also been optimised as the brake system has been updated with new calipers and pads designed by Squadra Corse for both endurance and sprint races. These solutions, combined with dedicated traction control and ABS, have been developed to make the car easy to control in low-grip conditions. The car is delivered to customers equipped with PZero tyres (325/680-18 at the front; 325/705-18 at the rear) from Pirelli.
“The new Huracan GT3 EVO2 is not simply an evolution of the current car. It’s a new project that reinforces the technological transfer between Lamborghini’s motorsport division and the company and inherits two difficult tasks: to prove as successful as the previous generations of Huracan GT3, which have won more than 40 international titles in 6 seasons, and to match its commercial success by helping to reach the target of 500 Huracán racing cars since 2015,” said Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini Head of Motorsport.
The first customers will get their cars from the second half of 2022, with the track debut to be at the 2023 Daytona 24 Hours. Those who are running the previous Huracan GT3 EVO model can upgrade it to the GT3 EVO2 specifications via an evolution kit.
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic kept people in their homes and racing activities came to a standstill, Lamborghini started a one-make championship online. Not surprisingly, the event known as ‘The Real Race’ was a success as driving enthusiasts took to racing virtually. More than 2,500 drivers from 109 countries participated in the first edition of the Lamborghini eSports championship.
Huracan GT3 EVO for all participants
The immersive competition had the Huracan GT3 EVO for use by all participants. Each car had exclusive race livery created by Centro Stile, Lamborghini’s in-house design department. Participants could customize the looks in 12 different versions, with each car displaying the trademark logos of long-standing Lamborghini Squadra Corse partners – Pertamina, Pirelli and Roger Dubuis.
The competition returned in 2021 with 10 races and a new and upgraded regional format. The new format had a more global approach as racers competed both in traditional Grand Prix and in three Endurance races to earn points within their regional tournaments in Europe, America and Asia. As in 2020, they all drove a Huracan GT3 EVO in Assetto Corsa Competizione, the advanced racing simulation game.
Assetto Corsa Competizione was developed alongside car manufacturers and provides a dynamic platform for Lamborghini’s latest racing series. It has photorealistic weather conditions and graphics, night races, motion capture animations, reaching a new standard in terms of driving realism and immersion. The game is also used by official Lamborghini Squadra Corse test and race drivers in their real-world preparations.
The winners of the 6-month long championship enjoyed a track experience with the Lamborghini Squadra Corse and a VIP experience at Lamborghini Headquarters. Additionally, the top-ranked player of each regional series would be invited to become a Lamborghini Official Sim driver.
Creation of a ‘factory team’
Lamborghini decided to create its own official team – a ‘factory team’, just as in real life competition – to build on the valuable experience gained with The Real Race. The eSports Team represents a further opportunity to expand the brand’s presence in a sector that is constantly developing, highly competitive, and also strengthen its commitment to the eSports scene.
The three sim drivers chosen to represent the brand in the major international eSports competitions are Jordan Sherratt, Gianfranco Giglioli and Giorgio Simonini. Sherratt (South African, 23) and Giglioli (Italian-Venezuelan, 24) will compete together in the GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series Europe, and Simonini (Italian, 22) will join the pair to form the crew for the 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Endurance Championship.
The Sprint calendar consists of 5 races and started last weekend with the Misano race. The last round is set for August 3, with the grand finale scheduled in the virtual version of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
The Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports series starts next weekend (April 16) with the 12 Hours of Bathurst, the famous Australian endurance race. Here too, there are 5 rounds on the calendar, with the competition concluding on August 27 with the 9 Hours of Kyalami at the famous circuit in South Africa.
Support from Squadra Corse
The three sim racers have been training hard, sharing important information on driving and set-up. They will be supported during the season by the Squadra Corse staff who are dedicating a team principal, driver coach and engineers to offer their expertise in the development and analysis of telemetry data, from the track to the virtual simulation.
“Sim racing is an important platform in today’s motorsport scene. Videogames were born to allow those who didn’t have opportunities for real-life racing to be like the professional drivers. Now, after several decades of development in the industry, sim racing is getting closer and closer to its real-life counterpart. Moreover, sim racing is an additional tool for us to develop some of the fundamental aspects of real racing, such as car set-ups and software applications that will play an important role in the future of our brand,” said Automobili Lamborghini’s Head of Motorsport, Giorgio Sanna.
“With Essenza SCV12, we wanted to elevate not only performance and driving pleasure but also the experience off the track.” And with that promise, Stefano Domenicali, CEO & Chairman of Automobili Lamborghini, unveiled the Essenza SCV12, a track-only hypercar in a limited edition of 40 units.
Developed by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, the Essenza SCV12 is the direct descendant of cars such as the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR. It is propelled by the most powerful V12 naturally aspirated engine ever developed by Lamborghini, combined with aerodynamics inspired by racing prototypes and new technical solutions designed for the ultimate driving experience.
“Essenza SCV12 represents the purest track driving experience that our brand can offer, an engineering feat that highlights the inextricable link between our cars and the asphalt of the track. Lamborghini is a brand constantly looking to the future and searching for new challenges, but we never forget our roots and who we are: Essenza SCV12 is the perfect combination of our unconventional spirit as a super sports car manufacturer and our true passion for motorsport,” said Mr. Domenicali.
Born for the track
The Essenza SCV12 was created for exclusive track use, with engineering solutions derived from racing. The V12 engine can generate over 830 bhp, with a significant power uplift from the RAM effect at high speeds. The exhaust pipes were designed by Capristo to reduce the back pressure, improving performance and emphasizing the unique sound of the engine.
The power is handled by a new X-trac sequential 6-speed gearbox as a structural element within the chassis, combined with rear-wheel drive to ensure compactness, structural continuity, and greater torsional stiffness.
Not surprisingly, the Essenza SCV12 has an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 1.66 bhp/kg, thanks to the lighter weight of the new-generation carbonfibre monocoque chassis without internal rollcage. It is also the first GT car developed in accordance with FIA prototype safety rules.
To ensure maximum agility and stability on even the most demanding tracks, kinematic solutions inspired by racing prototypes have been adopted. These include the pushrod rear suspension installed directly on the gearbox. Specific slick Pirelli tyres are mounted on magnesium rims (19 inches in front, 20 inches at the rear), which frame the brake discs and calipers developed by Brembo Motorsport.
“Essenza SCV12 is the ultimate expression of the V12 naturally aspirated engine, the symbol of our brand since 1963. It is a project in which we combined the pursuit of engineering perfection with refined aerodynamics, futuristic design, and innovative solutions such as the carbon monocoque without internal roll-cage. The result is an engaging and uncompromising car, born to race and to showcase on the track the characteristics that have made Lamborghini famous worldwide, guaranteeing unique and special emotions for both the driver and onlookers,” said Maurizio Reggiani, Chief Technical Officer of Automobili Lamborghini.
Aerodynamics from racing experience
The aerodynamics benefit from Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s GT racing experience to ensure a level of efficiency and higher downforce levels than a GT3 car, with a value of 1,200 kgs at 250 km/h. The front bonnet has a double air intake with a central rib, typical of the Huracan racing cars, which separates the hot airflow coming from the radiator and conveys the cold air to the airscoop located on the roof.
The front features a splitter and two lateral elements; on the sides, the flows for engine and gearbox cooling have been optimized through the use of vertical fins situated on the side sills. The aerodynamic package is completed by the large adjustable double-profile rear wing.
Lamborghini DNA in design
The sleek yet taut and dynamic lines combine the appeal of 1970s prototypes and elements typical of Lamborghini’s DNA, like the hexagonal geometry that characterizes the front headlights, and the roof airscoop and air vents that frame the steering wheel. There is also the unmistakable “Y”, the stylistic feature repeated on the livery and in the cockpit, where each element represents the best compromise between lightweight, functionality and design.
The instrument panel and dashboard are supported by an asymmetrical carbon ‘Y’, a load-bearing and stylistic element that frames the cockpit, designed to put the driver at the centre of an absolute driving experience.
Exclusive driving experience for owners
Essenza SCV12 customers will become part of an exclusive club that will give them access to special programs to drive their hypercar on the most prestigious circuits in the world. The program includes storage service in a new hangar built in Sant’Agata Bolognese for the Essenza SCV12 club. Each car will have a personalized garage and dedicated services, including webcams to allow customers to monitor their cars 24 hours a day using an app.
The facility also houses the Lamborghini Squadra Corse Drivers Lab by Tecnobody to offer athletic training programs similar to those followed by the official Lamborghini racing drivers.
Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s track-only hypercar, the Lamborghini SCV12, has completed its development programme and is now ready to hit the track for its world premiere in the near future. It is propelled by with the most powerful V12 naturally aspirated engine from Lamborghini to date, capable of generating over 830 bhp, thanks to aerodynamic supercharging at high speed.
The SCV12 – designed by the in-house Lamborghini Centro Stile – benefits from Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s GT motorsport expertise, using its racing experience to produce increased aerodynamic efficiency and higher downforce levels than a GT3 car.
Its front bonnet has a double air intake and a central rib directing airflow to the ram-air intake scoop located on the roof. This directs dynamic air pressure created by the car’s movement to increase static air pressure in the engine’s intake manifold, creating greater airflow through the engine and increasing power.
Aerodynamic efficiency enhanced
The car’s clear track intent and aerodynamic efficiency is further enhanced by the prominent splitter at the front, lateral flicks and vertical fins on the side sills, while at the rear is a custom-built carbonfibre rear wing.
Racing solutions developed
Several aspects of the SCV12 have been developed particularly for the hypercar, with specific racing solutions devised by Squadra Corse engineers. These included a new fully carbonfibre chassis that allows for a greater power-to-weight ratio as well as the best handling and circuit driving experience.
The lightweight chassis with rear-wheel drive incorporates a sequential 6-speed gearbox as a structural element within the chassis, reducing weight and enhancing weight distribution. Pushrod rear suspension is system installed directly on the gearbox, while power is delivered on the track courtesy of specially developed slick Pirelli tyres fitted on magnesium rims.
A limited edition, the SCV12 will be assembled entirely within the Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Customers will become members of a very exclusive club and can participate in advanced driving programmes at some of the world’s most prestigious circuits. There will also be technical assistance from Squadra Corse engineers and the special tutoring of Emanuele Pirro, 5-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Lamborghini Squadra Corse Special Projects Consultant.
Lamborghini Squadra Corse, the carmaker’s motorsports division, looks ahead to the future with two world previews which were presented during the Super Trofeo World Finals in Jerez de la Frontera. A teaser foreshadowed the new 12-cylinder hypercar that will debut in 2020, while the Urus ST-X was taken to a circuit for the first time, driven by 9-time Motocross Champion Tony Cairoli.
The Urus ST-X super sportscar developed by Squadra Corse and designed by the Centro Stile is a track-only machine with no plans for races. It will be produced as a limited edition, with aerodynamic and mechanical specifications designed to bring out the best of the iconic 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine that delivers 830 bhp.
Special features of the Urus ST-X
During the preview, it was possible to view a number of special features of the car such as the large rear wing, the airscoop on the roof, and the racing front bonnet with dual air intakes.
The structure is composed of an aluminium front frame joined to the carbonfibre monocoque, designed to guarantee the highest standards of safety. To house the engine, a steel rollcage was created that maximizes the torsional and bending stiffness characteristics.
The Urus ST-X is equipped with a twin-turbo V8 engine and has a lighter structure. The front features a carbonfibre bonnet with supplementary air intakes and the rear is characterized by the carbon wing and the racing exhausts.
The 6-speed sequential Xtrac transmission has a structural load-bearing function, with respect to the suspension compartment, the arms of which are directly connected to the gearbox, guaranteeing optimal kinematics and a significant improvement in the stiffness to weight ratio. The differential is an innovative mechanical self-locking type that allows the driver to adjust its preload dynamically to optimize driveability depending on the circuit and the conditions of the asphalt.
Lamborghini declares the Urus ST-X as the first Super SUV in the world of racing. The body is dominated by the Verde Mantis (green) colour typical of Lamborghini Squadra Corse, highlighted with red details; the cockpit, reinforced by a tubular roll-bar, features racing seats and a fire extinguishing system.