BMW uncovers M Hybrid V8 Le Mans race car

MANILA: At a debut event held at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, the BMW M Hybrid V8 was unveiled to the public in its racing colors for the first time since its arrival in North America (USA).

In 2023, the first new prototype created by BMW M Motorsport in 25 years will race in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship wearing a cutting-edge livery that makes use of the recognizable BMW M colors.

At the Petersen Museum, the four main drivers who will sit behind the wheel of the two BMW M Team RLL vehicles were also revealed.

They are Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng, Augusto Farfus, and Nick Yelloly, drivers for the BMW M works team.

The car will receive high-profile support from IndyCar series driver Colton Herta when it makes its race debut at the 61st running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (USA) on January 28 to 29.

Guests at the event in Los Angeles included BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel, Head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos, IMSA President John Doonan, and the owners of BMW M Team RLL, Bobby Rahal, David Letterman and Patrick Lanigan.

Franciscus van Meel said: “We are proud that, parallel to the 50th birthday of BMW M, we are returning to the big motorsport stage with the BMW M Hybrid V8. We are delighted that this adventure begins in North America, the most important international market for BMW M GmbH.

After all, the BMW M Hybrid V8 is more than just a race car, it is paving the way for an electric future for BMW M, by emphatically demonstrating how dynamic and emotional electrified M Power can be.”

The BMW M Hybrid V8 tested at Sebring International Raceway earlier this week to kick off its rigorous testing regimen in the United States. At the upcoming Petit Le Mans IMSA season finale, the test car will also be on exhibit to the general public.

The BMW M Hybrid V8's racing livery and design had their world debut at the Petersen Museum reveal, along with the introduction of the four main drivers and one additional driver for the endurance races.

Similar to the camouflage livery that was applied to the BMW M Hybrid V8 during testing, the 2023 racing season's livery was created by BMW Group Designworks under the direction of Michael Scully, Global Director, Automotive and Advanced Design.

With a coat of arms made out of futuristic, striking, fractal pieces of the distinctive M colors and the M logo, the works livery represents a considerable change from the heritage-based "Icons of IMSA" camouflage.

“These elements have been deconstructed to form what at first might appear to be an abstract triangular pattern across the BMW M Hybrid V8, but when viewed from the side, the M logo clicks right into place. – M reconstructed, if you will.” Scully explained. 

Additionally, the design incorporates "Mbedded" allusions to the BMW emblem and makes use of both blue and purple components to allude to the true colors of electricity.

The works livery also features BMW M Motorsport's characteristic matte black extension front of the cockpit beneath the driver's side of the windscreen, bringing BMW's interior design hallmark of driver orientation to the exterior of the vehicle for improved driver attention.

This non-reflective matte piece will really be the only black foil on the race-ready cars since all other black places visible during the launch will retain their original carbon fiber finish.

The premiere of the BMW M Hybrid V8's works livery offers the first opportunity to inspect the car's surfaces in their natural state and identify any previously hidden design elements. 

The design of the laser-lit kidneys matches the open, flow-through architecture of a contemporary prototype race car, and the air that flows beneath and through them is essential to the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle, both in terms of cooling and for the effectiveness of downforce.

The front of the vehicle references the BMW M Vision Next's faceted hood, nested BMW logo, and inverted 'Y' shape between the kidneys. This is a fantastic illustration of how BMW's showcars influence both race cars and production vehicles. The front of the automobile is instantly recognizable as a BMW thanks to these features and the brand's distinctive twin headlights on each side.

An innovative Swiss business called L.E.S.S. SA has created a brand-new method as an alternative to LED lighting in which light is produced by a nano-active optical fiber triggered by a laser. When integrated onto an automobile, this offers ultra-bright and ultra-uniform illumination in a very tiny form factor, which significantly reduces weight and energy consumption.

Transitioning around the side of the car, other BMW icons become apparent; the forward-leaning shark nose, the boomerang-shaped guide vane just behind the front wheel arch that recalls the BMW M4’s air breather design, the M mirrors and a modern interpretation of the Hofmeister kink. The sidepod carries a defined diagonal feature line which punctuates the radiused surface above it and at the same time also helps define the requisite front diffuser airflow exit. 

“A perfect example of the interdependence between BMW design DNA and dedicated efficiency which makes racing projects like this so engaging.” said Scully.  

BMW M Team RLL Principal Bobby Rahal said: “There is no doubt that we understand and appreciate the level of commitment and dedication it will take on the part of RLL to be successful in this new venture.

BMW M Motorsport is providing us with a great car, great engine and great driver lineup, of which we are very pleased. We understand the scope of the challenge in front of us and look forward to meeting it head on. As has been the case before, the level of cooperation and teamwork has been tremendous.” 

The technical details of the BMW M Hybrid V8 are available below. 

Data on the chassis of the BMW M Hybrid V8

Length	5,100 mm / 200.8 inches
Width	2,000 mm / 78.7 inches
Wheelbase	3,150 mm / 124.0 inches
Minimum weight	1,030 kg / 2,271 lbs.

 

Technical data on the P66/3 engine of the BMW M Hybrid V8

Type	V-shaped Otto four-stroke twin-turbo engine
Capacity	3,999 cc
Number of cylinders	8
Cylinder design	Cast aluminium cylinder block and cylinder head, cylinder lining as iron layer in LDS procedure
V angle	90 °
Bore	93 mm
Stroke	73.6 mm
Cylinder spacing	102 mm
Valves per cylinder	4
Engine speed	max. 8,200 rpm
Output (regulated)	approx. 640 hp
Torque	approx. 650 Nm / 479 lb-ft.
Injection	High-pressure direct injection at 350 bar / 5,076 psi
Oil system	Dry sump system with six-cell oil drain pump and oil tank

Photos from BMW 

Also read: PIMS 2022 goes underway with electrified vehicles