Ligier JS2 R

The Ligier JS2 R is a GT racing car manufactured by French automaker Ligier. Designed solely for track use, the car is an homage to the original Ligier JS2 introduced in 1972.^[1]

Ligier JS2 R
A JS2 R at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Overview
Manufacturer	Ligier
Production	2018 –
Assembly	Abrest, France
Body and chassis
Class	Racing car
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.7 L Ford Duratec 37 V6
Transmission	6-speed sequential manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Length	4,415 mm (173.8 in)
Width	1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1,180 mm (46.5 in)
Kerb weight	1,055 kg (2,326 lb)

Model information

Rear view

The JS2 R debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2018, the Ligier company's 50th anniversary year. It was inspired by the Ligier JS2 introduced in 1972, a car described as having superior driving dynamics and the best power-to-weight ratio of the time. The original JS2 finished second in its class at the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans. The JS2 R borrows many design cues from the JS2. The "R" in the car's name is said to stand for either "Revival", or "Race".^[2][3][4] While it is designed to be an easy car to drive, no road-legal variant of the JS2 R is planned.

Features

The car is powered by the same 3.7 L Ford Duratec 37 V6 engine used in the JS P4, coupled to a 6-speed sequential manual transmission with pneumatic shift mechanism and paddle shifters. Early engines generated a maximum power output of 335 PS (246 kW; 330 hp), but in 2020 power rose to 355 PS (261 kW; 350 hp). The braking system is from Brembo, with 6-piston calipers and 343 mm (13.5 in) rotors in front, and 4-piston calipers over 304 mm (12.0 in) rotors in back. The suspension is a double wishbone system with actuated push-rods at the rear, with adjustable anti-roll bars and dampers. The interior is driver focused, and designed to accommodate tall drivers. A heated windscreen is standard equipment.

The JS2 R is designed to deliver low running costs and ease of maintenance. The car can be homologated for FIA Group E category. Test days were scheduled for November 2018 for prospective buyers.^[5][6]

Motorsports

Since 2020 the car competes in its own category in the "Ligier European Series" of racing.^[7]

Technical data

	Ligier JS2 R[1][2]
Engine:	3.7 L Ford Cyclone V6
Bore × Stroke:	95.5 mm × 86.7 mm (3.76 in × 3.41 in)
Displacement:	3,726 cc (227.4 cu in)
Maximum power:	355 PS (261 kW; 350 hp) at 7000 rpm
Valvetrain:	DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Induction:	Naturally aspirated, Multi-point fuel injection
Cooling:	Water-cooled
Transmission:	3MO transverse 6-speed sequential gearbox
Clutch:	ZF centrifugal twin disc
Steering:	Electric power steering
Brakes f/r:	Brembo braking system. 6-piston calipers with 343 mm (13.5 in) rotors front 4-piston calipers with 328 mm (12.9 in) rotors rear
Suspension front:	Upper and lower wishbones, adjustable anti-roll bar, adjustable dampers
Suspension rear:	Upper and lower wishbones, rear actuated pushrods, adjustable anti-roll bar, adjustable dampers
Body/Chassis:	FIA homologated tubular steel chassis with fibreglass body
Layout:	Mid/rear
Wheelbase:	2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Wheels:	18 in (457 mm) aluminium alloy wheels
Length Width Height:	4,415 mm (173.8 in) 1,900 mm (74.8 in) 1,180 mm (46.5 in)
Fuel tank:	100 L (26.4 US gal; 22.0 imp gal) FIA homologated
Weight:	1,055 kg (2,326 lb)
Maximum speed:	274 km/h (170 mph) (est.)

Ligier JS2 RH2

The JS2 R provided the basis for development of a demonstration hydrogen powered vehicle to be unveiled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in early June 2023. The car, called the JS2 RH2, is a joint project of Bosch, who has oversight of the overall vehicle concept including engine, hydrogen storage, and development of a safety concept, and Ligier, who is responsible for vehicle architecture, H2 system integration and cooling.^[8]