Le Mans Ultimate is expanding beyond the World Endurance Championship with its first European Le Mans Series content. The inaugural ELMS DLC will feature Silverstone Circuit and the new-generation Ligier JS P325 LMP3 car, expected to release before the end of September 2025.
New Content Debuts at Silverstone ELMS Round
The timing couldn’t be better – Silverstone is hosting its first ELMS round since 2019 this weekend, with Studio 397 showcasing the new content at an official Le Mans Ultimate booth. Attendees can drive preview builds of both Silverstone and the Ligier LMP3, along with an uprated Oreca 07 LMP2 featuring ELMS balance of performance settings that deliver more power than the WEC specification.
While the content remains work-in-progress, its demonstration readiness confirms these as the first ELMS additions to reach Le Mans Ultimate. Studio 397 CEO Stephen Hood previously indicated the first ELMS content would arrive “before the end of Q3” during recent earnings calls.
Gen 3 LMP3 Technology
The Ligier JS P325 represents the latest LMP3 specification that debuted this season, featuring significant technical changes from previous generations. Most notably, the cars have abandoned the traditional Nissan V8 engine in favor of a twin-turbocharged V6 Toyota-derived unit, marking a major shift in LMP3 powertrain philosophy.
These Gen 3 LMP3 cars haven’t appeared in other major sim racing titles yet, giving Le Mans Ultimate an exclusive on the latest endurance racing technology. The new powertrains should provide different driving characteristics compared to the naturally aspirated V8s that defined earlier LMP3 generations.
Drip-Fed Content Strategy
Studio 397 plans to release ELMS content gradually, with Silverstone and the Ligier leading the charge. The roadmap includes two additional circuits – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Circuit Paul Ricard – along with two more LMP3 manufacturers: the Duqueine D09 and Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo.
This staggered approach mirrors how other sim racing titles handle major content expansions, allowing developers to maintain quality while providing regular updates to keep the community engaged.
Expanding the Endurance Racing Universe
The ELMS expansion represents Le Mans Ultimate’s first major step beyond its core WEC focus. European Le Mans Series serves as a crucial feeder championship for WEC, making it a natural addition that maintains thematic consistency while broadening the simulator’s appeal.
The inclusion of ELMS-specific balance of performance settings for the Oreca 07 LMP2 shows attention to series-specific details that serious endurance racing fans appreciate. Different BoP settings between WEC and ELMS create distinct driving experiences even with shared machinery.
The Bottom Line
Le Mans Ultimate’s ELMS expansion addresses one of the simulator’s main limitations – content variety. While the WEC focus provides authenticity, adding ELMS broadens the racing options without diluting the endurance racing theme.
The September 2025 target puts pressure on Studio 397 to deliver quality content quickly, but the preview demonstrations at Silverstone suggest development is progressing well. For endurance racing enthusiasts, more variety can only be positive, especially with exclusive access to the latest LMP3 technology.