BMW uncovers a new LMDh competitor for the 2023 IMSA season

  Dedicated as the BMW M Hybrid V8, the vehicle was divulged in the famous blue-and-white uniform of the brand's M sub-division on Monday and features the ‘kidney grill’ that has been a standard part of BMW's plan for decades. The final colour scheme will be displayed at a later date. The naming of the vehicle demonstrates that it will be powered by an eight-cylinder engine, mated to a spec hybrid unit. BMW didn't uncover the specific insights regarding the engine, yet it is reputed that it has been gotten from the marque's presently ancient factory program in the DTM. The BMW M Hybrid V8 will contest the new GTP class of IMSA, where it will go facing comparative LMDh vehicles from Cadillac, Acura and Porsche, in addition to Lamborghini from 2024. Vehicles worked to the FIA World Endurance Championship's Le Mans Hypercar regulations, for example, the Toyota GR010 Hybrid, the Peugeot 9X8 and the Glickenhaus 007 LMH, as well as the impending Ferrari LMH, can likewise fight for outright honours in IMSA from 2023 as part of a regulatory unification between the two championships. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will be responsible for running BMW's manufacturing plant LMDh program in IMSA, as declared by the marque last year. RLL has partaken in a solid working relationship with BMW beginning around 2009 and as of now runs a solitary BMW M4 GT3 in IMSA's GTD Pro class as a works entry. BMW had recently outlined its intention to take the then-unnamed LMDh vehicle to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2024 for the 25th anniversary of its triumph with the V12 LMR, however there was no affirmation of that in Monday's declaration. The Munich-based producer demonstrated that it will start testing the M Hybrid V8 in America soon, however the marque avoided giving a precise schedule. “The most critical task and the greatest challenge for the design team in the LMDh programme design team was that the prototype must be clearly recognisable as a BMW M Motorsport car,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “And I can say this to all the fans, just one look is enough to confirm that the BMW M Hybrid V8 is a BMW. It clearly carries the genes of BMW M. “I also love the camouflage livery with its references to the great history of the brand in North America. Congratulations to the design and aerodynamics departments at BMW M Motorsport and Dallara on their great work. I can hardly wait to see the BMW M Hybrid V8 on the track soon.