The world of sim racing is about to get even more authentic. With the launch of the European Le Mans DLC Expansion for Le Mans Ultimate. Players will be able to get behind the wheel of the Ligier JS P325 – the latest-generation LMP3 chassis making its sim racing debut.
This marks the first time a modern P325 has ever appeared in a sim, bringing with it the real-world upgrades of the 2025 LMP3 regulations.
From P320 to P325: What Changed in ELMS?
To understand why the P325’s arrival is a big deal, it helps to look at how LMP3 evolved in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS):
2023 & 2024 Seasons:
During the 2023 and 2024 seasons the grid was dominated by the Ligier JS P320, which had become the go-to choice for most teams.
A smaller number of squads also ran the Duqueine M30-D08 chassis, providing some variety but never rivaling Ligier’s popularity.
In both the 2023 and 2024 ELMS seasons, all LMP3 cars – whether Ligier JS P320 or Duqueine M30-D08, were powered by the Nissan VK56 engine.
- Type: 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8
- Output: ~455 horsepower
- Supplier: Oreca, who handled engine distribution and support for the category
This Nissan V8 had been the spec engine for LMP3 since the class was introduced in 2015, and it remained in place right up until the 2025 regulation change, when it was replaced by the Toyota V35A 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6.
Current 2025 Season:
The LMP3 category underwent a major refresh with the introduction of the third-generation LMP3 spec car that’s now used in ELMS.
The venerable Nissan VK56 V8 engine was retired, replaced by the Toyota V35A twin-turbo V6, bringing more modern performance and efficiency, and four new chassis were homologated:
- Ligier JS P325 (by far the most common, with teams like RLR MSport, Racing Spirit of Léman, Inter Europol Competition, and Ultimate all adopting it).
- Duqueine D09 (picked up by teams including WTM by Rinaldi).
- Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo (run by DKR Engineering).
- ADESS AD25 (appearing in smaller numbers).
While the grid remains diverse in 2025, the Ligier JS P325 is the car to beat – and now it’s the car sim racers will be able to experience firsthand in Le Mans Ultimate.
The Ligier LMP3 in Le Mans Ultimate
At the launch of the European Le Mans DLC Expansion, the LMP3 category will be represented exclusively by the Ligier JS P325. This gives players an immediate taste of the most successful and widely used LMP3 chassis in real-world competition.
Later on, the expansion will add further variety to the class with the introduction of the Duqueine D09 and the Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo, mirroring the variety of the actual ELMS paddock.
When these arrive is unknown at the minute, but you can expect them to appear when the next ELMS DLC is due for release.
Why This Matters for Sim Racers
Until now, most racing sims that included LMP3 machinery featured the older Ligier JS P320. Le Mans Ultimate is the first sim racing title to feature the P325, making it a milestone for authenticity.
That means sim racers will get to:
- Experience the new Toyota twin-turbo V6, replacing the outgoing naturally aspirated Nissan V8.
- Feel the updated aerodynamics and chassis balance that define the third-generation LMP3 spec.
- Race on the exact same Michelin tyres used in the European Le Mans Series, ensuring closer alignment with real-world performance and strategies.
This combination of updated powertrain, tyres, and chassis makes the in-game experience the most modern and accurate representation of LMP3 racing to date.
Looking Ahead
The arrival of the Ligier JS P325 in Le Mans Ultimate is a major step forward for sim racers who want their experience to match real-world endurance racing as closely as possible.
With future updates bringing the Duqueine D09 and Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo, the expansion promises to deliver the same variety and competition we see trackside in the European Le Mans Series.
For now, though, it’s all about the Ligier JS P325 – a car that defines the next era of LMP3 and now sets a new standard in virtual racing too.
