On May 23, 2018, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest published the framework for the 2020 Generation 2 LMP3 regulations. At the same time, four manufacturers—Onroak Automotive (Ligier), Duqueine Automotive (Norma), ADESS AG, and Ginetta—were announced as having received homologation. Full regulatory implementation was set for 2021, with the racing window covering 2020 to 2024.
The JS P320's predecessor, the Ligier JS P3, was designed before LMP3 cars were permitted to race at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This constraint meant that aerodynamic efficiency was not prioritised, resulting in the JS P3 having a lower top speed compared to later LMP3 competitors, such as the Norma M30. To address this, Ligier Automotive's design department collaborated with Exa Corporation on computational fluid dynamics work to optimize the new car's aerodynamics for all circuit types.
The Ligier JS P320 features approximately 95% new bodywork compared to the JS P3. It utilizes Öhlins TTX40 4-way through-rod dampers for suspension, and its cooling system was redesigned. The Generation 2 regulations allowed for the addition of traction control, and safety provisions were updated to include revised driver headrest geometry, new carbon shell driver seats, and Zylon side panels. The car is powered by a Nissan VK56 V8 5.6-liter engine, which produces 460 hp, an increase of around 35 hp over the unit used in the JS P3. It has a monocoque and bodywork made of carbon by HP Composites, a length of 4605mm, a width of 1900mm, a wheelbase of 2860mm, and a weight of 950kg. The car's top speed is 290 km/h.
It uses a Xtrac 1152 6-speed sequential gearbox with an aluminum casing, featuring a semi-automatic pneumatic steering wheel paddle-shift system by Megaline. The gearbox and engine control units are Magneti-Marelli. Braking is handled by a Brembo package with 6-piston calipers and 14-inch discs. The car is fitted with 18-inch magnesium OZ Racing rims.
The Ligier JS P320 completed its initial shakedown at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours before its public unveiling. The car's racing debut occurred at the Circuit Paul Ricard during the double-header opening round of the 2020 Le Mans Cup and the 2020 European Le Mans Series—the 2020 4 Hours of Le Castellet. Eight of the twelve LMP3 entries in that race were JS P320s.
Since its launch in 2020, the Ligier JS P320 has achieved numerous titles. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, it won three titles in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (LMP3 category) and three titles in the IMSA Prototype Challenge. It also secured four titles in the Asian Le Mans Series (LMP3 category) in 2020/21, 2022, 2023, and 2023/24. In the European Le Mans Series (LMP3 category), it won in 2020, 2022, and 2023. The car also claimed three Michelin Le Mans Cup titles (2021, 2022, 2023) and four Ultimate Cup Series titles (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). In 2022, it won a title in the Prototype Cup Germany, and in 2023, its first title in Brazil in the Império Endurance Brasil. In 2024, it won the Prototype Winter Series.
The Ligier JS P320 was approved for entry in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, Prototype Cup Germany, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, IMSA Prototype Challenge, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
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