Vanwall Targets 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series Return as Revised 680 Hypercar Nears Track Comeback

Text & Images: Rick Kiewiet

Vanwall is preparing a return to top-level prototype competition, outlining plans to contest the newly expanded Hypercar class in the 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series as part of a wider push to rejoin the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027.

The Austrian-flagged team, operated by Colin Kolles’ ByKolles structure, has been absent from competition since the conclusion of its troubled 2023 WEC campaign. The original Vandervell 680 LMH completed one season, hampered by chronic power and cooling issues from its naturally aspirated Gibson V8 and limited performance development.

Over the past two years, however, the car has undergone an extensive rework program, which Vanwall now claims is ready for validation in competition. The Hypercar has been fitted with a new 3.5-liter Pipo Moteurs twin-turbo V8 — the same unit used previously in the Glickenhaus 007 LMH — replacing the 4.5-liter Gibson engine that defined the car’s debut season.

Beyond the powertrain switch, Vanwall says major aerodynamic, mechanical and cooling system upgrades have been implemented. The team highlights revisions to air intake design, airflow management, radiator and intercooler performance, and exhaust flow efficiency — all aimed at addressing weaknesses exposed in 2023.

“The careful performance analysis from our initial WEC campaign clearly identified important areas to improve,” said Vanwall principal Colin Kolles in the team’s formal announcement. “I am confident the actions taken following the technical review and the latest modifications incorporated will bring significant on-track improvement.”

Asian Le Mans Series as a proving ground

Vanwall intends to enter the 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series, which will introduce a Hypercar class for the first time and allow non-hybrid LMH and LMDh machinery to compete on a Pro-Am basis. The expanded platform — approved by the ACO and the WEC Committee — is expected to open the door for manufacturers and private teams currently outside the world championship to return to racing.

The team views the winter series as a critical competitive testbed for its revised 680 Hypercar and a stepping stone toward a potential return to the WEC the following year.

“We have had very constructive discussions with the WEC and ACO regarding rejoining the WEC in 2027,” Kolles noted. “But as always participation is dependent on the team being invited to compete. Our support for the new 2026 ALMS Hypercar category is a clear statement of our intent and commitment to the future.”

The ALMS calendar for 2026–27 has not yet been released, though Vanwall referenced events at Sepang, Dubai and Yas Marina as part of the expected schedule.

Aiming for a WEC return

While Vanwall’s ambitions are clear, a 2027 comeback in the world championship would hinge on an invitation from the ACO — and likely on the car demonstrating performance and reliability improvements in Asia. The timing is tight: WEC entry decisions for 2027 will be taken before the Asian Le Mans season is underway.

Vanwall completed only one year in the WEC, earning a best Hypercar-class result of eighth at the 2023 Sebring season opener. The campaign was marked by reliability issues and frequent driver rotation alongside season-long entrant Esteban Guerrieri.

The team has not conducted public track testing with the revised Pipo-powered chassis, and it is understood that re-homologation of the updated mechanical and aerodynamic configuration has not yet been finalized.

Nevertheless, the announcement marks the clearest signal yet that the Vanwall 680 — shelved since late 2023 — may soon return to the racetrack.

If the program proceeds as planned, Vanwall would become the second operation publicly targeting the new Asian Le Mans Hypercar category, following BBM Sport’s intention to field up to two ex-Peugeot 9X8s.