Porsche just rolled out its 2015 model-year LeMans P1 car for initial track testing at Yas Marina today, and we see a continuation on most aspects of the 2014 racer.

Porsche is characteristically tight-lipped about what has changed since last year, but has confirmed that the turbo V4 powertrain will continue, along with three electric boosters. But while the 2015 car looks very similar to the 2014 contender, you can be sure that there have been extensive studies and engineering under the skin.

It takes more than a quick look to find any clear changes outside, but we have identified three primary areas outside that appear to be all-new aerodynamic design solutions.

1. NOSE

Up front, versus the 919 Hybrid displayed at the Quail 2014, we see the clearest change overall in the design. Where the 2014 car has a protruding nose cone with three vents in horizontal formation, the 2015 model is totally vent-free. The 2015 car also lacks any cone shape, preferring a bluff and continuous line of carbon-fiber between the hood and the lower intake recess.

2. SIDES / FRONT FENDER VENTS

Here is perhaps the most visible change overall: the 2015 car has a totally reshaped body-side behind the rear fenders. The 2015 model shows a dramatically larger and vaned venting area behind the front wheel-wells.

3. TAIL

Similarly subtle in back by the rear spoiler. Here we see the 2015 car has a much-taller spoiler element that is actually a dual-vane spoiler in its horizontal bar versus the single piece on the 2014.

Subtle changes, as we said, but likely to have a big impact on the track.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Full disclosure: this is the 919 design and aero prototype on loan from the Porsche Museum in Germany, and not one of the team’s actual Le Mans 2014 competitors.

Even so, being touchably close to any racecar is enought to get the heart beating faster.

In fact, even cropping these photos has made a big thump-thump in my neck! The closer my eye comes to the quad-beam lighting setup, the more exciting the car seems — even a static model.

 

Despite much respect for the Audi Motorsport team, the Porsche 919 Hybrid was the favorite on this sofa during June’s Le Mans race. Well, to be fair to Toyota, we mainly just wanted a non-Audi team to win the top LMP1 class. The Audi dominance of the race is both boring and tiresome at this point. There is no way to sugar-coat that.

Sure, they work very hard and are brilliantly skilled as a team.

But nothing would have sent the Audi guys home more humble than being beaten by Porsche on their first year back in the race.

Sigh… can you imagine!?

Maybe next year… when Nissan will also field a LMP1 car — making it a four-way rumble par excellence...!

2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid