Version 1.3 will include enhanced haptic feedback support plus shorter load times, while the final European Le Mans Series DLC pack has been confirmed. Both arrive on 31st March 2026.
By Ross McGregor and Thomas Harrison-Lord
It’s the end of 2026’s first quarter, and that means it’s nearly time for Le Mans Ultimate’s next update and downloadable content. Ahead of its release on 31st March and subsequent patch notes, here are the highlights.
European Le Mans Series DLC complete
A third, and final, paid-for optional DLC pack for the European Le Mans Series will be available for Le Mans Ultimate on 31st March 2026.
As two prior packs have added Ligier and Ginetta LMP3 vehicles, plus Silverstone and Paul Ricard, respectively, now it’s the turn of the Duqueine D09 and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The Spanish venue now means that every track used in the real-world championship will be available for the sim, and the French car completes the LMP3-spec grid.
It uses the identical twin-turbo V6 engine as the other two models in its class, which was a new ruleset for the 2025 season – Le Mans Ultimate, the first simulation title to include these upgraded machines.
The D09 is unique in the competition, with only a sole representative in the 2025 season from WTM by Rinaldi Racing, securing a highest finish of fourth at Imola. One has also been entered this season by R-ace GP.
As with the other ELMS sets, this car and track combination is priced at €9.99 / £8.99 / $11.99. Or, if you have the ELMS Season Pass, which is priced at £21.99 / €24.99 / $28.99, all three LMP3 cars and three aforementioned tracks are included.
ELMS Pack 3 contents
- Duqueine D09
- Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
- €9.99 / £8.99 / $11.99
Seven new alternative track layouts
For those who will own all of the ELMS track content, alternative layouts will be added through the Version 1.3 update (more information below) for Silverstone and Paul Ricard.
The shorter National (think BTCC) and International layouts for the British locations will be included, alongside the same full layout, but with the pitlane at the Wing (and not the current National pitlane between Woodcote and Copse seen in-game). Rumours persist that Silverstone will once again hold a FIA World Endurance championship round in 2027…
As for Paul Rcard, four of the blue and red multi-coloured layouts are available, all with uninspired names. What you need to know is ‘1A’ and ‘1A V2’ have the full Mistral straight without a chicane for insane top speed, while ‘3A’ skips the main first sector for a shorter lap, and has been used for racing such as touring cars historically.
New track layouts
- Silverstone National
- Silverstone International
- Silverstone Grand Prix (Same full layout, different pitlane)
- Paul Ricard 1A
- Paul Ricard 1A V2
- Paul Ricard 1A V2-Short
- Paul Ricard 3A
- Imola, Spa and Portimão to receive ELMS 44-car grid configurations
What’s in Le Mans Ultimate’s v1.3 update
As ever, alongside new LMU DLC is an accompanying game update. V1.3 brings a range of technical enhancements as well as more information on the game’s upcoming career mode and 24-hour multiplayer races.
Check out the key points below.
Logitech Trueforce and bass shaker support
Logitech’s proprietary Trueforce tech will now be supported in LMU. Trueforce works directly with the game’s physics to deliver additional haptic feedback on compatible devices, providing an extra layer of driving immersion.
For non-Logitech wheel users, these extra effects will also be implemented and will be adjustable. Additionally, support for bass shaker peripherals will also be applied, with players able to select their device from a drop-down menu via the game’s sound settings.
Improved loading times and performance
One of LMU’s biggest weaknesses is set to be addressed in v1.3, with S397 suggesting that the game’s loading times will be improved by up to 20%.
Alongside this, cars you can’t physically see out on track will no longer be rendered, a process the developer calls ‘occlusion culling’. This should improve frame rates and game stability during packed, multi-class racing.
A further performance bump is expected thanks to a switch in user interface middleware. LMU will now use newer Coherent Labs tech instead of the outgoing Chromium Embedded Framework, modernising the game’s menu systems. This should also make it easier to port the game to console, a process that will be completed in 2027.
Career
Those expecting to play LMU’s career mode will have to wait a little longer, with an official statement reading, “It is now expected to be delivered later this year”.
This will come as a double blow to players, given that the mode was originally slated for a Q1 2026 unveiling. Likewise, the game’s v1.0 release in July 2025 arrived with scarcely any single-player modes.
24-hour test races
LMU’s ability to hold 24-hour team endurance races still requires refinement, with another test event set to be scheduled after the release of v1.3.
However, S397 has confirmed that its recent 12-hour, 38-car test events were mostly successful, offering encouraging signs that it will be possible to hold twice-around-the-clock events ahead of the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Other additions
Broadcasters will be happy to know that WEC’s 2026 TV layout will be made available soon. Although not part of the v1.3 build, the new look can be downloaded separately.
Korean has also been added to the game’s increasing list of localised languages, perhaps as a nod to the inclusion of Genesis on the 2027 Hypercar grid.