Japanese constructor Dome has taken a step closer to giving the green light to its all-new LMP1 prototype built to the 2014 rulebook.
Dome revealed that it was working on a car to succeed last year’s S102.5 for the new rules last October and has now completed the first stage of wind-tunnel testing with the design, to be known as the S103.
Hiroshi Fushida, Dome managing director, said: “We have done more than a week in our own windtunnel with the model of the 2014 car and will soon go again. It is our intention to build the car.”
The new Dome S103 is aimed at privateers and has been designed to accept what Fushida called “bolt-on hybrid systems”, including those available from Flybrid and Zytek.
“The car has been designed to take all types of engines,” he explained, “and a customer-type hybrid system.”
The S103 could be ready for the start of next year’s World Endurance Championship if a customer signs up for the project in time.
Fushida also revealed that Dome plans to offer for sale an LMP2 coupe based on the same design.
“The chassis and aerodynamic rules are slightly different for P2,” he said, “but the design, including the monocoque, can be used for both projects.”
The P2 car could hit the track before its P1 cousin because of its less complex design.
Dome returned to the LMP1 arena at the Spa and Le Mans 24 Hours WEC rounds last season after four years away. The Judd-powered S102.5, run by the Pescarolo team, was a reworked version of the car that raced at Le Mans in 2008.
