When Le Mans Ultimate launched in early access earlier this year, it didn’t feature any cars or tracks from the 2024 World Endurance Championship. Instead, the endurance racing simulation currently only features cars and tracks from the 2023 season.
Fortunately, this is about to change. With the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race fast approaching, a free update will add BMW’s new Hypercar class entry to Le Mans Ultimate next week. Motorsport Games has also outlined its plans for 2024 season pass content.
BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh joins Le Mans Ultimate next week
Following last week’s teaser, Motorsport Games has confirmed that the BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh will be the first 2024 season car to join Le Mans Ultimate’s roster. Early Access players can download the new hypercar for free on June 10 before the 24 Hours Le Mans race starts on June 15 and can be raced against the 2023 cars.
After racing in the IMSA last year, the BMW M Hybrid V8 made its WEC season debut this year as BMW celebrates the 25th anniversary of its historic 1999 Le Mans victory.
Alongside the German hypercar, existing Hypercars in the game, including the Toyota GR010, Ferrari 499P, and Porsche 963, will get free 2024 season liveries.
New gameplay features
Since Le Mans Ultimate launched in February, Motorsport Games has been gathering feedback from players. Next week’s update will add a slew of new gameplay features in response to community feedback.
One of the most highly requested features is an optional radar. Available in offline and online races, the radar fades in and out of focus based on how close you are to other cars, allowing you to monitor the opponent’s positions during close races. Further radar updates are planned that “focus on the multi-class racing found within Le Mans Ultimate.”
The update will also add a new system for race starts with improved communication that “reduces the frequency of incorrect penalty assignments, including when unexpected events may occur such as disconnections or incidents during the formation lap.”
In addition, the free June update will also add race replays alongside new online multiplayer netcode to support future updates and stability improvements.
First Le Mans Ultimate Season Pass details
After the free June update, paid DLC packs will add 2024 season cars and tracks. The first DLC pack, expected to arrive in July, will include the iconic Imola circuit alongside more unannounced cars.
All remaining 2024 content will be split into four packs, which will also be offered as a 2024 Season Pass at a discount. Pricing details are yet to be confirmed, and you’ll still be able to race against the 2024 grid even if you don’t purchase any DLC packs.
Combined, the four packs will add four Hypercars, four new circuits, and seven GT3 cars. The remaining 2024 Hypercars missing in Le Mans Ultimate are the Alpine A424, Lamborghini SC63, Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6-C. The Peugeot 9x8 was also reworked with a new rear wing and improved aerodynamics. With new manufacturers joining the Hypercar class and Toyota looking to reclaim the title, the stage is set for an exciting 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Another two GT3 cars will be gifted for free to complete the current WEC grid. All LMP2 cars will also get updated 2024 Le Mans liveries, but the GT3 cars and liveries aren’t expected to arrive until the end of the year.
“Following the titles release into Early Access in February, the entire team at Studio 397 have been working tirelessly to improve the user experience through three major patches and ten hotfixes," said Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood.
"We plan to continue improvements alongside new feature arrivals and appreciate the feedback and support received during this opening phase.”
Will you be buying Le Mans Ultimate’s 2024 season packs? Let us know in the comments below.
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