After almost 16 of being noticeably absent from the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, Porsche is developing a prototype. The last Porsche-backed effort at Le Mans was in 1998, when a Porsche 911 GT1 won 1st place overall.
A few days ago, Porsche teased some pictures and a video of the LMP1 prototype running laps around the Nurburgring. The car will be entered in the World Endurance Championship 2014 Season, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 2014 Porsche LMP1 was developed in-house by Porsche Motorsports. Factory driver Timo Berhnard was involved with the development of the car from Day 1. He recently took the car out for initial testing at Porsche’s massive R&D center in Germany. Berhnard said of the car, “I’m very proud that I was the one to take our baby through its first paces today. Already now the car feels great. I look forward to testing the vehicle in the coming weeks and months with my friend and colleague Romain Dumas.” Both Bernhard and Dumas will conduct testing for the final development of the LMP1 car at various international tracks between now and the start of the 2014 race season.
While the LMP1 may still be clad in camouflage, one can see that the car will be very distinctive. It has eight bug-eyed headlamps, a gigantic front spoiler, and a surprisingly small rear wing for a car that will be going down the back straights of many tracks in speeds exceeding 200 mph. Be prepared.
The Unmuffled Auto News 
very interesting….but why don’t you spill some ink on a car your faithful readers could possibly buy…like a Bentley or a Ferrari or a Smart Car.
Love from Zayzee
I know you all too well! You’d NEVER buy me a Bentley OR a Ferrari…
Thanks for the heads up, especially when an eight bug eyed headlight is approaching quickly in my rear view mirror!
Where’s my bug swatter?
Was at this years Le Mans 24 Hrs and have posted photos on my blog. Looking forward to the Porsche LMP1, and the battles it will have with the LMP1s from Audi and Toyota at Le Mans and in the WEC Championship
DLYmotorsportimages.com
It sounds very subtle – 8 bug eyes, a gigantic spoiler, and wings!
It’s subtle – for an endurance racing prototype…
Why did you not add link to the secret video of the new Porsche?
Because there isn’t one. Porsche will post one sometime in the future, and I will put the video up on my blog. Also, look forward to seeing Porsche dominate (hopefully) at this October’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring.