Selecting up the place the V12 LMR left off, the M Hybrid V8 marks BMW’s return to top-tier endurance racing. It made its public debut in North America final month on the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles and right here we will see the electrified beast in all of its glory whereas stretching out at Highway Atlanta. 4 and a half minutes of fast-paced motion. Whereas some rivals have determined to go along with six-cylinder engines, BMW Motorsport’s flagship automobile may have a bigger V8.
Styled by BMW Group Designworks in Los Angeles, the M Hybrid V8 options the widest utility of the kidney grille we now have ever seen on a BMW, be it a highway or race automobile. The competitional debut is locked in for late January 2023, however within the meantime, there’s a variety of testing that must be performed. Whereas subsequent 12 months can be all concerning the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, it’ll additionally compete at Le Mans in 2024 as a part of the confirmed FIA World Endurance Championship entry.
The 4.0-liter engine you’re listening to is just not completely new. It traces its roots to the 2017/2018 M4 DTM however with a twin-turbo setup as an alternative of a naturally aspirated configuration. Codenamed P66/3, the combustion engine is sweet for 640 hp and 650 Nm (478 lb-ft) of torque and might rev as much as 8,200 rpm. Per rules, the ICE (together with turbo and exhaust) should weigh a minimal of 180 kg (397 lbs) and is connected to a seven-speed Xtrac gearbox.
The M Hybrid V8 filmed at Highway Atlanta has the preliminary livery celebrating 50 years of M relatively than the race-ready look we noticed a number of weeks in the past. BMW M works drivers Connor De Phillippi (USA), Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) have been confirmed to get behind the wheel of the endurance race automobile.
Supply: RacingNationTV / YouTube
