Mazda announces diesel LMP2 engine for 2013 Le Mans

The new 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine will be tested later on this year by Dempsey Racing, which will partner Mazda for the programme and race at Le Mans in 2013. The team previously competed in the GT category in 2009 in its Ferrari F430 GT2, finishing in 30th position, and currently fields cars in the LMP2 and LMPC classes of the American Le Mans Series.

Jay Amestoy, vice-president of Mazda Motorsports believes that Mazda can win with its new engine.

"In 1991 we made history winning with rotary technology. Now we're looking to return to the winner's circle with what we believe to be the cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen," said Amestoy.

Masahiro Moro, executive officer in charge of global sales and marketing, said that new technology had helped Mazda make the project possible.

"It is this same spirit that laid the foundation for the portfolio of Skyactiv Technologies. This was realised thanks to a number of technological breakthroughs. I am pleased that we will be supporting our private customers who are taking up the Le Mans challenge by supplying race engines as a customer-programme based on our Skyactiv-D Clean Diesel," said Moro.

Dempsey Racing co-owner and actor Patrick Dempsey said that his team will be working with Mazda closely.

"Our long-term partnership with Mazda has been fantastic, and we look forward to mutual success as we prepare for 2013," he said. "We are focused on that preparation which is why we are currently testing our LMP2 car here in the US in preparation for the next ALMS event."