BMW has dedicated to returning to endurance racing, nevertheless it received’t be headed again to Method 1.
That’s regardless of its huge rival at Mercedes-Benz cementing itself as a fixture on the grid, and Audi gearing as much as take part 2026 alongside automotive giants akin to Ford and Honda.
Moderately than Method 1, BMW has set its sights on World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Worldwide Motor Sports activities Affiliation (IMSA) endurance glory.
That features a tilt on the Le Mans crown with its M Hybrid V8, 25 years after successful the occasion with the V12 LMR.
“The explanation for doing WEC and IMSA is, we already drive with hybrid drivetrains,” BMW M boss Frank van Meel instructed CarExpert.
The M Hybrid V8 pictured above packs a fire-breathing V8 engine, however can also be able to driving at pit speeds on electrical energy alone. Method 1 automobiles, then again, use their electrical motors in a really totally different approach.
“Method 1 is planning that I believe from 2026 or 2027 on, however they’re nonetheless engaged on the rules, so that’s for us a lot too late,” he mentioned.
The M Hybrid V8 is powered by a V8 engine, which paired with a hybrid system is allowed to output a complete of 500kW, though that will change primarily based on how regulators need to steadiness efficiency between opponents.
Per class rules, hybrid prototypes have a minimal weight of 1030kg, use a 50kW Bosch hybrid system and Williams Superior Engineering battery pack, and an Xtrac transmission. Underneath the pores and skin, the M Hybrid is in-built partnership with motorsports specialist Dallara.
Underneath IMSA GTP guidelines, the M Hybrid shall be rear-wheel drive. The automobiles it’d compete with at Le Mans, have been BMW to substantiate an entry, have been constructed utilizing a unique interpretation of the identical guidelines.
This hybrid hypercar racing class was collectively conceived by IMSA, FIA and ACO so hybrid hypercar prototypes can enter the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in addition to the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Which means that the racers cannot solely enter and race within the Rolex 24 at Daytona within the USA, however may race within the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Together with Method 1’s hybrid rules, Mr van Meel pointed to the class’s lack of highway relevance as an obstacle.
“With the V8 hybrid, we try to use issues in motorsports that we are able to additionally convey into sequence manufacturing automobiles. With Method 1 that’s nearly inconceivable,” he mentioned.
“We come from touring automobile racing, 3.0 CSL and M1, so our historical past and heritage is to take issues from racing and put them in sequence manufacturing automobiles. With Method 1 it’s too distant, and it’s too gradual.”
BMW was final a part of the Method 1 grid throughout 2009 in partnership with Sauber.
