The BMW M Hybrid V8 made its racing debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona over the weekend, marking its first official endurance test. A pair of prototypes competed in the race. The #24 car was driven by Philipp Eng, Augusto Farfus, Marco Wittmann and Colton Herta and finished the race in sixth place. The car came close to securing a podium position before issues with the hybrid system triggered a brake problem in the final quarter of the race. Meanwhile, the #25 car spent roughly 2.5 hours being repaired due to a hybrid powertrain failure and ultimately finished ninth in the GTP category.
The BMW M Hybrid V8 won’t just compete in
the North America IMSA WeatherTech SportsChampionship but next year, will also
enter the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.
The LMDh prototype hypercar is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8
producing 631 hp and 650 Nm of torque. The car also uses a hybrid
drive system with an electric motor, an inverter, and a high-voltage battery.
BMW’s entry into next year’s 24 Hours of
Le Mans’ flagship prototype class will mark the first time it has done so since
1999 when it claimed victory with the V12 LMR.
