While we were first introduced to the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype back in June, the livery was cloaked in a stylish 50th-anniversary camouflage and we knew very little about what was under (or sported on) the hood of the Le Mans Daytona h vehicle. No stranger to innovation, the German marque initially broke ground back in 2011 with its i8 supercar which became a progenitor of sorts for the hypercars and hybrid supers that came afterward.
Yesterday at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, BMW finally unveiled its new state-of-the-art prototype. Designed by BMW Group Designworks, the livery on the M Hybrid V8 sports unique details every step of the way, including the giant “M” emblazoned on the back, laser-lit kidneys in front, a geometric Hofmeister kink on the windows, signature BMW hook side-view mirrors, and creative use of colors, including bleeding the reds and blues together amongst the black and white hues to add a purple tinge.
The vehicle is powered by a 90-degree Otto four-stroke twin-turbo V8 engine capable of around 640hp and 479lb.ft of torque with a max rpm of 8,200. The cylinder block and cylinder head are made of cast aluminum with an LDS iron-coated cylinder lining.
This new hybrid from BMW M Motorsports is expected to compete in the IMSA’s new GTP class for 2023, focusing on green initiative vehicles in legendary races such as 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The M Hybrid V8 will officially begin racing next year.
