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Le Mans Ultimate’s Hypercars are much trickier to drive than their in-game LMGT3, LMP2 and GTE counterparts, and this is mostly down to their hybrid drivetrains.
Hybridisation greatly affects the way Hypercars brake, with LMU players having to juggle brake bias, brake migration, regen level and motor map settings to optimise their stopping power and consistency.
Below, we’ll run through how to make the most of LMU’s advanced braking mechanics and improve your Hypercar braking performance.
For an in-depth guide to LMU’s virtual energy system, check out our guide here.
Hypercar differences
Hypercars are split into two types, LMHs and LMDhs.
LMH cars are allowed to have a motor generator unit (MGU) across their front axle. This harnesses the heat generated by the car under braking and converts it into electrical energy, which is stored in a battery. This battery then supplies energy to power the MGU.
Not all LMHs have an MGU, with the likes of the Vanwall Vandervell 680 and Glickenhaus SCG 007 electing to use an internal combustion engine (ICE) only. 2025’s Aston Martin Valkyrie also falls under the same bracket.
LMDh cars operate similarly to LMDhs, except their MGUs are located across the rear axle.
All Hypercars are allowed to run with a combined total of 500 kW / 671 bhp, split between electrical and ICE power. LMH MGUs are capable of producing 200 kW / 268 bhp, while LMDh MGUs produce up to 50 kW / 67 bhp.
The MGU doesn’t add overall horsepower to a Hypercar but simply replaces ICE power, promoting efficiency. The MGU is, however, key to braking in Hypercars, as they heavily rely on its regenerative powers to slow down.
How to use brake migration in Le Mans Ultimate
While travelling at high speeds, a Hypercar experiences a lot of downforce, which makes slamming on the brakes without locking up comparatively easy. However, as speeds reduce under braking, so does aerodynamic grip, making wheel lock-ups much more likely.
To help with this, hybrid Hypercars have a ‘brake migration’ feature to help provide maximum stopping power at high speeds, while also helping prevent lock-ups as you slow down and begin to turn into a corner.
Brake migration is like active brake balance, moving the balance forwards when the brake pedal travel reaches 100%, thereby taking advantage of the extra stopping power afforded by high aerodynamic loads.
Starting with an initial brake bias setting of 54:46, and a brake migration setting of 2.0F will result in an actual brake bias of 56:44 when the brake pedal hits 100% travel. As the travel decreases, the bias moves further backwards, aiding trail braking.
Brake migration can be adjusted between 0 and 2.5 in 0.5 steps, and can be changed on the fly, so remember to map buttons for it.
At this stage of LMU’s development, however, 2.5F is the optimal brake migration setting for all Hypercars.
On a side note, look out for brake fade too, especially on LMH cars, which are susceptible to losing front braking performance during longer stints. This in turn moves the brake bias rearwards, making it easier to lock the rear axle.
Setting regen level
Increasing the regen level setting to maximum guarantees optimum braking performance, and will charge your MGU’s battery faster. However, charging your battery to 100% will remove the regenerative effect of the MGU, so make sure to adjust the motor map setting to deplete the battery.
For LMH cars, aim between 40 kW and 100 kW for motor map settings during a stint and 20-30 kW for LMDhs, with higher settings required to quickly drain the battery enough on the formation lap to avoid first-corner braking issues.
If the battery does reach 100%, you’ll find that an LMH car is more likely to lock its rear wheels, while an LMDh car is more likely to lock its fronts due to the shift in brake balance.
This is why it is so important to drain the battery ahead of a race start, as losing braking power at Turn 1 could result in a race-ending accident.
Le Mans Ultimate best Hypercar braking performance TL;DR
- Always use maximum regen level
- Ensure the MGU’s battery level never reaches 100% charge to prevent extreme brake balance changes
- Map brake migration and brake bias functions to change on the fly depending on car behaviour
- 2.5F is the optimal setting for brake migration in Le Mans Ultimate
Do you have any more Le Mans Ultimate braking tips? Then let us know in the comments below.
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