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Le Mans Ultimate

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Le Mans Ultimate
Cover art featuring the BMW M Hybrid V8, Ferrari 499P, and Toyota GR010 Hybrid
DeveloperStudio 397
PublisherMotorsport Games
Designers
  • Greger Huttu
  • Rick Oosthof
  • Denise Pope
ProgrammerPeter Nichols
ArtistAlex Sawczuk
EngineisiMotor 2.5
PlatformMicrosoft Windows
Release22 July 2025
GenreSim racing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Le Mans Ultimate is a sim racing video game developed by Dutch video game developer Studio 397 and published by Motorsport Games. The game is an officially licensed simulation of the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and focuses on Le Mans Hypercar, LMP2, GTE, and LMGT3 cars.[1] The game was first released as an early access title on 20 February 2024, officially releasing a year later on 22 July 2025.[2][3]

Originally slated for release in December 2023,[4] the date was pushed back to February 2024 before Studio 397 switched to an early access model just weeks prior to the official release of the game.[5] The game is currently featured only on PC, but console versions are being considered with porting agencies the likely method, according to Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood.[6][7]

Gameplay

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As the FIA World Endurance Championship's officially licensed simulation, Le Mans Ultimate includes the series' official car classes and manufacturers featured since the 2023 season and onwards, those being Le Mans Hypercar, LMP2, GTE, and LMGT3.[8] Race tracks used both currently and previously by the FIA WEC since 2023 are also present in the game, including Sebring, Portimão, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit de la Sarthe, Monza, Fuji, and Bahrain.[9]

Le Mans Ultimate later became the officially licensed simulation for the European Le Mans Series, officially releasing downloadable content in September 2025, including a new car class and a racing circuit, those being LMP3 and Silverstone Circuit.[10][11]

Race Weekend is Le Mans Ultimate's single-player mode where players can set how many classes will be on track, weather forecast, time scaling, fuel usage scaling, and tyre wear scaling.[12] Online multiplayer is present in early access and is powered by RaceControl, Motorsport Games' online racing platform.[1] Players can compete in daily races, limited timed special events, or create a private session for select players to join.[12]

Development

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The game is built on the isiMotor 2.5 engine, developed by Image Space Incorporated for use in rFactor 2. Le Mans Ultimate also features Real Road 3.0, which is a system that allows for dynamic simulation of a race track's surface, including changing surface conditions as cars drive over a race track and the simulation of rain and puddles affecting the environment of a circuit.[1]

Before becoming its own release, the basis of Le Mans Ultimate was originally intended to be for the successor of the rFactor 2 video game, in the form of rFactor 3.[13]

Free content updates

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Le Mans Ultimate has since expanded with free content, with new cars, tracks, and liveries being added to the game. The game's June 2024 early access update saw the addition of the BMW M Hybrid V8.[14] Three months later on the game's December 2024 early access update, which introduced LMGT3 cars to the game for the first time, the Ford Mustang GT3 and McLaren 720S GT3 Evo were made available for free.[15][16]

As part of Le Mans Ultimate's exit from early access officially releasing on 22 July 2025, the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH and Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo were added to the game.[17]

The game's version 1.3 update saw the addition of the Genesis GMR-001 to the game two weeks prior to the car's competitive debut at the 2026 6 Hours of Imola.[18]

Ahead of the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, Studio 397 added liveries from the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship and introduced the ADESS AD25 and Toyota TR010 Hybrid.[19]

Downloadable content

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The first set of DLC releases for Le Mans Ultimate added content centered around the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, which was divided in five separate packs, beginning with the 2024 Pack 1 DLC released on 23 July 2024. It included the Lamborghini SC63, the updated winged Peugeot 9X8 first introduced at the 2024 6 Hours of Imola, and Imola Circuit.[20] Subsequent packs added the Alpine A424, Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH-C, and Circuit of the Americas in 2024 Pack 2,[21] the BMW M4 GT3, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Ferrari 296 GT3, and Interlagos Circuit in 2024 Pack 3,[22] the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo and Porsche 911 GT3 R in 2024 Pack 4,[23] and the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, Lexus RC F GT3 and Lusail International Circuit in 2024 Pack 5.[24]

Studio 397 released their first of three DLC packs for the 2025 European Le Mans Series with ELMS Pack 1 on 23 September 2025, adding the Ligier JS P325 and Silverstone Circuit.[11] ELMS Pack 2 was released on 9 December 2025, adding the Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo and Circuit Paul Ricard. The final pack of the series, ELMS Pack 3, would be released on 31 March 2026, adding the Duqueine D09 and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.[25]

On 4 July 2026, Studio 397 announced the US Track Pass DLC, adding six American racing circuits into the game. The tracks are set to be the first pair of major endurance racing venues not featured in the FIA World Endurance Championship or European Le Mans Series. The pack's initial teaser confirmed the inclusion of Daytona International Speedway and Laguna Seca.[26]

Reception

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Le Mans Ultimate received "generally favorable" reviews from critics according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

In its 2025 review, Video Games Chronicle's Mike Channell highlights the game's handling model, writing that "the degree of communication via the handling model about how the car is behaving on the track surface is second to none", while also criticizing the game's lack of single-player features, such as no career mode feature, concluding that Le Mans Ultimate is "not necessarily a great game, but a genuinely exceptional sim."[28]

Awards

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Year Award Category Result Ref.
2026 The Steam Awards 2025 VR Game of the Year Nominated [29]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "The Game". Le Mans Ultimate. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  2. ↑ Oakley, Phil (2025-06-13). "Le Mans Ultimate leaving early access in July with 2025 content". Motorsport Week. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  3. ↑ "Le Mans Ultimate readying for release of Version 1.0 | FIAWEC". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. ↑ Pettit, Vince (2023-06-15). "Le Mans Ultimate Game Thrills Fans at 24 Hours of Le Mans, Anticipation Builds for Official Release". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  5. ↑ "Exclusive: Why Le Mans Ultimate Moved to Early Access". RacingGames. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  6. ↑ Harradence, Michael (2024-12-03). "Is Le Mans Ultimate Coming To PS5?". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  7. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2024-06-24). "Le Mans Ultimate considering "partners" for console versions, code refinements underway". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  8. ↑ "Cars". Le Mans Ultimate. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  9. ↑ "Circuits". Le Mans Ultimate. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  10. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2025-06-13). "Le Mans Ultimate exits early access July, confirms ELMS and career mode". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  11. 1 2 Kilbey, Stephen (2025-09-18). "Le Mans Ultimate Adds ELMS Content". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
  12. 1 2 "Everything You Need To Know About Le Mans UItimate | Feature | CarThrottle". www.carthrottle.com. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  13. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2024-06-07). "rFactor 3 was cancelled in favour of Le Mans Ultimate". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  14. ↑ Bigg, Martin (2024-06-10). "Le Mans Ultimate June Update Patch Notes: 2024 BMW Hybrid V8 Joins the Grid". RacingGames. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  15. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2025-02-19). "Le Mans Ultimate to add Ford Mustang LMGT3 for free". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  16. ↑ McGregor, Ross (2024-12-02). "Le Mans Ultimate adds McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo for free". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  17. ↑ McMahon, Andrew (2025-07-22). "Le Mans Ultimate V1.0 Update Has Officially Released". Simulation Daily. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  18. ↑ "GMR-001 Hypercar launches in Le Mans Ultimate with online competition". Genesis Newsroom. 2026-04-02. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  19. ↑ Wane, Ewan (2026-06-04). "Le Mans Ultimate, 2026 ADESS LMP3 Added". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  20. ↑ Howson, George (2024-07-23). "Le Mans Ultimate 2024 Pack 1 DLC Out Now Alongside New Update". RacingGames.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  21. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2024-07-23). "Le Mans Ultimate: Isotta Fraschini and Alpine A424 confirmed for next DLC". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  22. ↑ McGregor, Ross (2024-12-03). "Interlagos and first LMGT3 cars confirmed for Le Mans Ultimate DLC". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  23. ↑ McGregor, Ross (2025-02-20). "Porsche and Aston Martin LMGT3s set for Le Mans Ultimate's Pack 4 DLC". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  24. ↑ Oakley, Phil (2025-06-03). "Latest Le Mans Ultimate DLC includes driver swaps, custom liveries and new content". Motorsport Week. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  25. ↑ Wane, Ewan (2026-03-26). "Le Mans Ultimate, Final ELMS Pack Adds Duqueine & Barcelona". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  26. ↑ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (2026-07-04). "Le Mans Ultimate confirms US Track Pass to add six new tracks". Traxion.GG. Retrieved 2026-07-04.
  27. ↑ "Le Mans Ultimate critic reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  28. 1 2 "Le Mans Ultimate Review: great as a simulator, but lacking in features". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  29. ↑ "The Steam Awards 2025". store.steampowered.com. Steam. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
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