This year marks 50 years BMW’s USA , founded in 1972 to build the 3.0 CSL “Batmobile”, won the European Touring Car Championship the following year. To celebrate, BMW car unveiled its new M Hybrid V8 LMDh race car, which will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023.
When it does, it will be the company’s first prototype race car developed by BMW Motorsports in 25 years. We saw a race car baked with a kidney in camouflage test duds in junebut now the whole race has been revealed.
The new graphic scheme uses the traditional BMW M colors of red, light blue and dark blue on white in what the company calls a “fractal block”. “These elements have been deconstructed to form an abstract triangle pattern on the BMW M Hybrid V8,” said Michael Scully, global director of Automotive Design and Advanced. “But when viewed from the side, the M logo snaps into place.”
Also, BMW says, blue and purple color there to emphasize the electrified nature of the car’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The addition of an asymmetrical matte black part in front of the driver has been seen on recent BMW race cars, but is much more obvious now. It also has the ability to double as a glare reduction bonus. Other parts that look black are actually exposed carbon fiber.
At the front, the nose is dominated by a pair of Brand renal grid. They are illuminated, but not by traditional LEDs. Instead, they’re lit with the Swiss company’s dormant fiber-optic technology that’s activated by a laser.
Other nods to BMW cars can be found in the bodywork. A close look at M8 GTE-esque kidney reveals a leading forward leading edge remember the shark nose design of the BMWs of the 70s and 80s. The L-shaped guide wing behind the front wheel is said to evoke M4side vents. The mirrors also incorporate an M-hook design, and a loose interpretation of the famous Hofmeister fold can be seen on the rear edge of the window.
Powering the BMW M Hybrid V8 is an electrified version of the eight-cylinder P66/1 engine used in the 2017-18 M4 DTM passenger car. BMW says it tried to use a P48 turbocharged four-cylinder engine but discovered durability issues. Testing with the P63 turbo engine from the M8 GTE found it to be too heavy. In forced induction and hybrid the guise is called P66/3, since it’s the third version of the engine, it makes approx 640 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.
The M Hybrid V8 will make its debut in the GTP class of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 28. Here, the main drivers will be Connor De Phillippi of the US, Philipp Eng of Austria, Augusto Farfus of Brazil and Nick Yelloly of Older brother. They will be joined by IndyCar driver Colton Herta. There are some big names on the other side of the pit wall. Named BMW M Team RLL, whose team includes CART legend Bobby Rahal, talk show hosts David Letterman and Patrick Lanigan.
“We are proud that, in tandem with the 50th birthday of the BMW M, we are returning to sports car racing “Mr. Franciscus van Meel, BMW M CEO. After all, the BMW M Hybrid V8 is more than just a race car, it is paving the way for an electric future for the BMW M, by clearly demonstrating it. It’s clear how dynamic and emotional M Power can bring about emotions.”
