WEC: New LMP2 one-make engine breaks cover

The wraps have come off the next year's one-make LMP2 engine built by Gibson Technology.

The Gibson GK428, which will be mandatory in new-rules P2 machinery in next year's World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series, is a 4.2-liter V8 without direct-injection producing 600bhp.

Gibson operations director John Manchester revealed that the new power plant retained the architecture of the company's 3.4-liter P2 V8 used up until 2011 and the introduction of production-based engines. He explained that 65-70 percent of the internal components were new.

Gibson, which was formerly known as Zytek, opted against direct fuel-injection on grounds of costs.

The tender process, which Gibson won last year, stipulates running costs of €1250 (about $1,400) per hour for the engine.

The first engines will be delivered to the four constructors awarded licences to build new P2 cars for next season – ORECA, Onroak/Ligier, Dallara and Riley/Multimatic – in mid-August.

A second batch will go to the constructors at the end of October before deliveries to teams – who will lease rather than buy the engines – begin in December.

The GK428 has already completed two 24-hours distances on the dyno, with one engine completing 57 hours of running.

The Gibson V8 will be allowed to race in the IMSA SportsCar Championship alongside engines built by manufacturers under the Daytona Prototype International rules.

Originally on Autosport.com