The future of Le Mans is looking bright as BMW has actually joined an array of various other car manufacturers by announcing a go back to the renowned race.
Following its launching in the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the BMW M Hybrid V8 will contend in the FIA World Endurance Championship and also the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.
This is massive news as it will certainly mark BMW’s first running of a model in 25 years. While that appears like an eternity, the business went out with a bang as Joachim Winkelhock, Pierluigi Martini, as well as Yannick Dalmas were victorious in their V12 LMR in 1999.
Likewise Read: BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh Race Car Debuts, Will Compete In IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Getting back to today, the BMW M Hybrid V8 will certainly compete in the Hypercar class as well as screening is currently underway as the version “successfully finished its roll-out at Dallara in Varano de Melegari.” While much of the early emphasis is on their initiatives in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, BMW M Motorsport manager Andreas Roos said they are “functioning determinedly” in the direction of a go back to Le Mans.
His views were resembled by BMW M CEO Frank van Meel, that stated “The decision to run the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the IMSA collection from 2023, as well as the WEC from 2024, is a turning point for the task.” He added, “The IMSA series in North America and the WEC, which occurs all over the globe, are the ideal platforms, on which to utilize our prototype to show how interesting energized BMW M autos will certainly be in the future.”
As a refresher course, the LMDh prototype was introduced last month and also includes a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine creating a controlled outcome of around 631 hp (471 kW/ 640 PS) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque. It’s signed up with by a hybrid drive system that includes an electrical motor, an inverter, as well as a high-voltage battery. This allows the racer to be driven on electricity alone, such as when traveling to and from the pits.