Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW to race at Le Mans in 2024 with M Hybrid V8 racer

BMW's finally confirmed it'll run a full WEC campaign starting in 2024 with its new LMDh racer

BMW will return to Le Mans in 2024, announcing that it’ll run a full World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign against a packed field of rivals in both Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) and Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) classes. Until now, BMW had only committed its new M Hybrid V8 LMDh racer to the American ISMA series from 2023, but quiet over its commitment to a WEC entry.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The news confirms that we’ll see BMW as one more full factory outfit reaching out for a Le Mans 24hr victory, but it’ll need to beat Toyota Gazoo Racing, Porsche, Peugeot, Lamborghini, Cadillac and Ferrari to do so come 2024. It’ll be the first time BMW has raced at Le Mans since 1999, a year that it won outright with the BMW V12 LMR prototype racer. 

BMW sighted tight development schedules as the reason why it wouldn’t commit to a 2023 WEC entry, focusing first on getting the car up and running in the American ISMA championship, in which it will only compete against fellow LMDh-class racers. 

BMW’s M Hybrid V8 racer will be based on a control chassis from Dallara and powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine derived from a previous DTM program. This is supplemented by a control hybrid system from Bosch and battery pack from Williams Advanced Engineering, both packaged onto the front axle. This is a similar development path that rivals from Porsche and Lamborghini have taken, with both teams opting for a powertrain utilising a twin-turbocharged V8.

The powertrain

BMW's V8 engine goes under the internal designation P66/3, which itself is a development of the engine utilised in its DTM racers from 2018 and 2019. As a stressed member in the DTM racer, it proved to be an ideal starting point for its application in its LMDh racer, but has required lots of further development to bring it into line with the endurance classification's requirements. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

In the initial research phase, BMW explored both the P48 turbocharged four-cylinder unit used in its current DTM cars, but it didn't hit its durability targets, while the P63 twin-turbo V8 found in the old M8 GTE Pro racer was deemed too heavy.

The process of turning the naturally aspirated P66 into a turbocharged and hybridised powertrain for the BMW M V8 Hybrid has resulted in its P66/3 nomenclature, but it's retained key elements of the base engine such as its 3999cc swept capacity, 90-degree V angle and a high 8200rpm redline. Without taking into consideration its hybrid elements, the combustion engine on its own is rated at 631bhp, and produces 479lb ft of torque. 

The body and chassis

The new BMW M V8 Hybrid’s distinctive bodywork was designed by BMW’s Designworks department, an off-shoot of the main design team that usually focuses on broader product, mobility and system design. As such, the design is not derived from an existing BMW road or race car, although it does incorporate typical BMW motifs including a kidney grille, double lighting element and a new interpretation of the iconic Hofmeister kink. 

BMW’s first and only Le Mans triumph came back in 1999, with the V12 LMR co-developed with Williams, the brand’s F1 technical partner at the time. Powered by a version of the S70 V12 engine featured in both the McLaren F1 road car and Le Mans-winning F1 GTR racer, BMW’s foray into endurance racing was a fleeting but ultimately successful enterprise, something it’s no doubt hoping to emulate, which makes it even more of a shame to know it'll only compete in the USA.

Still, with no fewer than eight entries from the big brands across the LMDh and LMH classes, plus smaller privateer teams too, we’re set to see the widest and most varied field in endurance racing for a generation.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The EU is considering banning carbonfibre, but BMW has other ideas
BMW natural fibre composite
News

The EU is considering banning carbonfibre, but BMW has other ideas

BMW has developed a new type of eco-friendly composite, just as European Parliament has proposed limiting the use of carbonfibre in road cars
23 Jun 2025
Best BMW M cars – the ultimate driving machines
Best BMW M cars
Best cars

Best BMW M cars – the ultimate driving machines

M is one of the fastest letters in the motoring alphabet. We pick our favourites from over 50 years of BMW M icons
20 Jun 2025
Nürburgring 24 Hours 2025 preview: 141 cars to embark on the toughest race of the calendar
Nurburgring 24 Hours 2025
News

Nürburgring 24 Hours 2025 preview: 141 cars to embark on the toughest race of the calendar

As if Le Mans wasn’t enough of a test, the most gruelling endurance race of all is up next with the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours
16 Jun 2025
The Genesis GMR-001 brings V8 power to tackle Ferrari at Le Mans
 Genesis GMR001
News

The Genesis GMR-001 brings V8 power to tackle Ferrari at Le Mans

The GMR-001 is set to join a packed Hypercar grid in 2026, but we've already taken a look at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours race
13 Jun 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025