With IMSA and WEC bursting with top category entries for the 2025 season, Hypercars are quickly becoming one of the most popular classes to race online across sim racing. But which simulator does the best job of recreating the top-flight prototypes?
Despite the class appearing in titles such as Forza Motorsport, the three simulators we will compare are iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, and Automobilista 2. This comparison will examine precisely how realistic the recreations are and how easy it is to race against others online.
Porsche 963 in iRacing. Image: iRacing.com
The expectation is perfection at $12 per car, or at least as close to it as possible. But unfortunately, iRacing players are currently left disappointed. Disregarding the speed issue, the Hypercar class was implemented over two years ago with the debut of the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Since that day, the realistic hybrid system has been missing, although the electric bump starts implemented for 2025 Season 1 are a good start. It was not until the 499P drama that iRacing took the first step towards incorporating a realistic hybrid system into their Hypercars.
iRacing's controversial new Ferrari 499p. Image: iRacing.com
The cars' modelling is good, with many fine details on display. However, compared to other titles like Le Mans Ultimate, iRacing struggles to make an impression again. The sharpness of Studio 397's dedicated sim is just too much for iRacing to match when it comes to interior graphical quality.
On the audio front, one of the most famous aspects of the infamous Cadillac V-Series. R Hypercar is the sound. For many sim racers, great car sounds can make or break immersion, and iRacing's general sounds are better. There are accusations that the cars sound 'Wheezy' and always sound over the limit, but they generally do a good job.
If you have the opportunity, try your favourite hypercar in iRacing, see what it does well and what it doesn't, and compare it to the other two simulators in this comparison. You should drive what makes you happy, which could be iRacing, so test these cars yourself - possibly during the downtime of an update being deployed, which allows for testing content you have installed for free until the downtime is over.
One final advantage of iRacing over the other simulators is its outstanding online racing options. It is also the only simulator where you can compete as a team and swap drivers online - not just in Hypercars, but it is the only sim offering this key component of endurance racing, which is these cars' bread and butter.
The brilliantly modelled interior of the Peugeot 9X8. Image: Studio 397
But deliver Studio 397 have. The simulation of the battery and hybrid technology is fantastic and can be managed similarly to the real cars. Le Mans Ultimate stands out because of the level of detail that even the most obsessed sportscar fan might miss or skip over - only driver swaps are missing, but in the works.
Each interior is perfectly modelled and created to replicate what going through a race distance in one of these Hypercars is like for the real drivers of these cars.
In a video comparing Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing to the real-life pole lap at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans Ultimate emerged as the favourite. Many in the comments section complained about the 'Formula One' levels of grip the Hypercars appeared to have in iRacing, alongside the outdated Circuit De La Sarthe laser scan compared to LMU.
Automobilista 2's Alpine A424 LMDh car. Image: Reiza Studios
Not long ago, the wider sim racing community did not consider Automobilista 2 comparable to other simulators, such as iRacing. However, in late 2024, the Brazilian sim made serious waves in the sim racing market.
Not only has Automobilista 2 put itself on the map, but it has also placed itself in direct competition with Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing as the ultimate simulator for enjoying the Hypercar class. With the LMDh cars and a lot of other content in various disciplines, there is something for everyone, regardless of which series you follow.
Automobilista 2's #01 Cadillac at Daytona. Image: Reiza Studios
The handling model has been dramatically overhauled throughout 2024, culminating in the v1.6 release. Once you get behind the wheel and into the cockpit, you will see why Automobilista 2 has shuffled up the sim racing market this year. The new IMSA content that came as a part of the 1.6 update was a massive hit with the playerbase. Consequently, finding an online race in the Hypercar class is relatively simple.
If there is one thing Automobilista 2 does brilliantly, it is its implementation of Virtual Reality. While it is challenging to run, it is a step above iRacing and Le Mans Ultimate if you have the hardware to play it.
Both other titles also offer VR, but the graphical difference between iRacing and Automobilista 2, despite the lower system requirements for iRacing, makes the difference. Le Mans Ultimate can also be surprisingly good in VR, but the mode is still volatile. With 2025 almost here, the new year will undoubtedly bring stabilization changes for LMUl in this regard.
Lamborghini SC63, Automobilista 2. Image: Reiza Studios
Overall, each title has its strong points as well as weaknesses, so it depends on what is most important for you. For the competition, particularly team-based, iRacing still stands out. When it comes to accessibility and VR performance, AMS2 is probably your best bet. And if you want the most authentic representation of the cars themselves, as well as the most complete roster, Le Mans Ultimate should be right up your alley.
Even outside of these three main titles, the choices for sim racers are fantastic. If you can, try each sim and get to grips with them. Once you have decided which one feels the best to you, enjoy it. Race online or against the AI and enjoy this golden era of sportscar racing!
Do you agree with our take on which simulator best represents the Hypercar class? Let us know what you like and dislike about each title in the comments down below!
Despite the class appearing in titles such as Forza Motorsport, the three simulators we will compare are iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, and Automobilista 2. This comparison will examine precisely how realistic the recreations are and how easy it is to race against others online.
Porsche 963 in iRacing. Image: iRacing.com
iRacing
Often considered the pinnacle of sim racing realism, iRacing has recently been under pressure regarding its Hypercars. With the release of the latest car, the Ferrari 499P, iRacing has been exposed as having a significant speed problem compared to its real-life counterparts.The expectation is perfection at $12 per car, or at least as close to it as possible. But unfortunately, iRacing players are currently left disappointed. Disregarding the speed issue, the Hypercar class was implemented over two years ago with the debut of the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Since that day, the realistic hybrid system has been missing, although the electric bump starts implemented for 2025 Season 1 are a good start. It was not until the 499P drama that iRacing took the first step towards incorporating a realistic hybrid system into their Hypercars.
iRacing's controversial new Ferrari 499p. Image: iRacing.com
The cars' modelling is good, with many fine details on display. However, compared to other titles like Le Mans Ultimate, iRacing struggles to make an impression again. The sharpness of Studio 397's dedicated sim is just too much for iRacing to match when it comes to interior graphical quality.
On the audio front, one of the most famous aspects of the infamous Cadillac V-Series. R Hypercar is the sound. For many sim racers, great car sounds can make or break immersion, and iRacing's general sounds are better. There are accusations that the cars sound 'Wheezy' and always sound over the limit, but they generally do a good job.
If you have the opportunity, try your favourite hypercar in iRacing, see what it does well and what it doesn't, and compare it to the other two simulators in this comparison. You should drive what makes you happy, which could be iRacing, so test these cars yourself - possibly during the downtime of an update being deployed, which allows for testing content you have installed for free until the downtime is over.
One final advantage of iRacing over the other simulators is its outstanding online racing options. It is also the only simulator where you can compete as a team and swap drivers online - not just in Hypercars, but it is the only sim offering this key component of endurance racing, which is these cars' bread and butter.
Le Mans Ultimate
Perhaps the title with the most Hypercar expectations resting on its shoulders, Le Mans Ultimate, the official World Endurance Championship title, has much to deliver regarding realism. iRacing has numerous other car classes, but Le Mans Ultimate has just three if you include the Hypercar class in that final figure.The brilliantly modelled interior of the Peugeot 9X8. Image: Studio 397
But deliver Studio 397 have. The simulation of the battery and hybrid technology is fantastic and can be managed similarly to the real cars. Le Mans Ultimate stands out because of the level of detail that even the most obsessed sportscar fan might miss or skip over - only driver swaps are missing, but in the works.
Each interior is perfectly modelled and created to replicate what going through a race distance in one of these Hypercars is like for the real drivers of these cars.
In a video comparing Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing to the real-life pole lap at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans Ultimate emerged as the favourite. Many in the comments section complained about the 'Formula One' levels of grip the Hypercars appeared to have in iRacing, alongside the outdated Circuit De La Sarthe laser scan compared to LMU.
Automobilista 2
With the release of version 1.6 being such a success, Automobilista 2, as an earnest racing simulator, is on many more sim racers' radars when it comes to competitively racing the Hypercar class. The new update brought the Lamborghini SC63 and Alpine A424, met with the sim racing equivalent of raucous applause.Automobilista 2's Alpine A424 LMDh car. Image: Reiza Studios
Not long ago, the wider sim racing community did not consider Automobilista 2 comparable to other simulators, such as iRacing. However, in late 2024, the Brazilian sim made serious waves in the sim racing market.
Not only has Automobilista 2 put itself on the map, but it has also placed itself in direct competition with Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing as the ultimate simulator for enjoying the Hypercar class. With the LMDh cars and a lot of other content in various disciplines, there is something for everyone, regardless of which series you follow.
Automobilista 2's #01 Cadillac at Daytona. Image: Reiza Studios
The handling model has been dramatically overhauled throughout 2024, culminating in the v1.6 release. Once you get behind the wheel and into the cockpit, you will see why Automobilista 2 has shuffled up the sim racing market this year. The new IMSA content that came as a part of the 1.6 update was a massive hit with the playerbase. Consequently, finding an online race in the Hypercar class is relatively simple.
If there is one thing Automobilista 2 does brilliantly, it is its implementation of Virtual Reality. While it is challenging to run, it is a step above iRacing and Le Mans Ultimate if you have the hardware to play it.
Both other titles also offer VR, but the graphical difference between iRacing and Automobilista 2, despite the lower system requirements for iRacing, makes the difference. Le Mans Ultimate can also be surprisingly good in VR, but the mode is still volatile. With 2025 almost here, the new year will undoubtedly bring stabilization changes for LMUl in this regard.
Lamborghini SC63, Automobilista 2. Image: Reiza Studios
Overall, each title has its strong points as well as weaknesses, so it depends on what is most important for you. For the competition, particularly team-based, iRacing still stands out. When it comes to accessibility and VR performance, AMS2 is probably your best bet. And if you want the most authentic representation of the cars themselves, as well as the most complete roster, Le Mans Ultimate should be right up your alley.
Even outside of these three main titles, the choices for sim racers are fantastic. If you can, try each sim and get to grips with them. Once you have decided which one feels the best to you, enjoy it. Race online or against the AI and enjoy this golden era of sportscar racing!
Do you agree with our take on which simulator best represents the Hypercar class? Let us know what you like and dislike about each title in the comments down below!
