Le Mans Ultimate | The developers of "LMU" confirm the final ELMS DLC and changes in the next game update

The first quarter of 2026 is drawing to a close, which means that the next update and new downloadable content for Le Mans Ultimate will soon be available. Ahead of the release on March 31 and the patch notes that will follow, here is a summary of the key changes.

Complete European Le Mans Series DLC pack

A third and final paid optional DLC pack for the European Le Mans Series will be available for Le Mans Ultimate on March 31, 2026.

After the two previous packs added the Ligier and Ginetta LMP3 cars as well as the Silverstone and Paul Ricard circuits, the Duqueine D09 and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will now become available. With the Spanish circuit, all tracks from the real-world championship are now available in the simulation, while the French car completes the LMP3 grid.

The Duqueine D09 is equipped with the same twin-turbo V6 engine as the other two models in its class, which represents a regulation change for the 2025 season – Le Mans Ultimate is the first simulation title to integrate these improved cars.

The D09 is unique in competition, as it was used by WTM by Rinaldi Racing alone during the 2025 season, achieving its best result with fourth place at Imola. Another example was used by R-ace GP during this season.

As with the other ELMS packs, this car-and-track combination costs €9.99. However, anyone who purchased the ELMS Season Pass for €24.99 will gain access to all three LMP3 cars and the three aforementioned circuits.

Contents of ELMS Pack 3

• Duqueine D09
• Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
• ELMS Pack 3 costs €9.99

Seven new alternative track layouts

For everyone who owns the complete ELMS track content, the update to version 1.3 (more information below) will introduce alternative layouts for Silverstone and Paul Ricard.

The shorter National (in the style of the BTCC) and International layouts for the British circuit will be available alongside the full layout, but with the pit lane at the Wing (instead of the current National pit lane between Woodcote and Copse, as represented in the game). Persistent rumors suggest that Silverstone will once again host a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027.

As for Paul Ricard, four of the blue-and-red, multicolored track variants will be available, all bearing rather uninspiring names. It is important to note that “1A” and “1A V2” provide the full Mistral Straight without a chicane for extreme top speeds, while “3A” omits the first main sector for a shorter lap that was historically used for races such as touring car events.

New track layouts

• Silverstone National
• Silverstone International
• Silverstone Grand Prix (same overall layout, different pit lane)
• Paul Ricard 1A
• Paul Ricard 1A V2
• Paul Ricard 1A V2-Short
• Paul Ricard 3A
• Imola, Spa and Portimão receive configurations for a 44-car grid in the ELMS

New features in update v1.3 for “Le Mans Ultimate”

As usual, the new LMU DLC will be accompanied by a corresponding game update. Version 1.3 includes a range of technical improvements as well as further information about the upcoming career mode and the game's 24-hour multiplayer races.

Support for Logitech Trueforce and bass shakers

The Trueforce technology developed by Logitech is now supported in LMU. Trueforce works directly with the game physics to provide additional haptic feedback on compatible devices, intensifying the driving experience.

Users of wheels from other manufacturers will also be able to benefit from these additional effects, which can be adjusted. In addition, support for bass-shaker peripherals will be implemented, with players able to select their device from a dropdown menu in the game's sound settings.

Improved loading times and performance

One of LMU's biggest weaknesses will be addressed in version 1.3. According to S397, the game's loading times will be optimized by up to 20%.

In addition, cars that are not physically on the track will no longer be rendered – a process the developer calls “occlusion culling”. This should improve frame rates and game stability during dense races with multiple classes.

Another performance boost is expected from switching the middleware used for the user interface. LMU will now use newer technology from Coherent Labs instead of the deprecated Chromium Embedded Framework, which should modernize the game's menu systems. This should also make porting the game to consoles easier – a process that will be completed in 2027.

Career mode

Players eagerly awaiting LMU's career mode will have to be patient a little longer. An official statement said that the release is now expected later this year.

For players, this is a double setback, as the mode was originally announced for the first quarter of 2026. The game's version 1.0, released in July 2025, also included barely any single-player modes.

24-hour test races

LMU's ability to host 24-hour team endurance races still needs further refinement; another test run will take place after the release of version 1.3.

However, S397 has confirmed that the recent 12-hour test events with 38 cars were largely successful, providing encouraging signs that it will be possible to run events lasting two full days before the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Further changes

Broadcasters will be pleased to learn that the WEC TV layout for 2026 will soon be available. Although it is not part of the v1.3 build, the new design can be downloaded separately.

In addition, Korean has been added to the game's growing list of localized languages – possibly as a reference to Genesis joining the 2027 Hypercar grid.