[supra93]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Update:

First look at the M8 GTE!












The BMW M8 GTE has been teased in this image from BMW Motorsport's twitter. Based on the upcoming BMW M8 Coupe, the M8 GTE will mark BMW's return to the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2018, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, where BMW has not raced for the past 6 years. The M8 GTE is expected to debut at the Daytona 24 Hours in January.

“Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt at the reveal of the M8 prototype.

“We can’t reveal any pictures yet, but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular. We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.”

[DRTMGRT]

Very excited to see what it'll look like. Is it safe to say we will see the 8 series and M8 before January 2018??

[Brasko]

This is going down in history!


Can't wait for the full reveal.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Scott posted this on the other thread

[Pic18]

I guess Ford figured something out aero wise with curved front splitter as you can see BMW emulating it in that photo. BMW has been on a bit of a role lately, hopefully the M8 can be quick right out of the box.

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[wdeerfield]

looks a lot like a 6 series. bmw and their playing with numbers... really curious to see how the next 6 series takes on the 911 without being smaller than the f82 or taking sales away from their new 8 series.

[Mantii]

Awesome!! Can't wait to see it in action.

It resembles the M6 a bit and still looks a bit big in the picture. Not sure how it compares size wise to the other cars. All I know is that BMW wanted to reduce the size of the car from the road going version but the some of the other manufacturers did not sign off on it. Should be interesting and gives me reason to watch Le Mans next year ?

[DRTMGRT]

WOAH! found two more

[JustChris]

If Darth Vader had a car...!

[IND-Distribution]

Wild!

[BMWRL]

The front end gives me more of an i8-ish vibe than 8 series concept on this M8 GTE race car. It?s too bad BMW won?t be keeping that imposing grill from the 8 series concept.

[Brake_Late]

Originally Posted by Brasko

This is going down in history!


Can't wait for the full reveal.

Looks beastly

[Brake_Late]

Originally Posted by JustChris

If Darth Vader had a car...!

More like Hans Solo lol

[E9TOU]

So excited for this car! I'm not a fan of the size (it looks like a tank), but I'm hoping it's competitive right out of the box. Next year's IMSA season is shaping up to be quite exciting! Also WEC and LeMans of course.

[bradleyland]

I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed. Although it's not like we hadn't anticipated this. It looks a lot like a slightly lower profile M6 GTLM. It's still a very large car racing in a class with smaller, sportier cars. The lower profile will help a bit, but I really wish BMW would build something suitable to race in GTE based on the i8 (or a new mid-engine car in the M1 lineage).

[cbertels]

Will this replace the current M6 GTLM cars? Seems like the BMW teams just got into a groove sorting out that chassis. Hopefully the new car isn't plagued by its predecessors gremlins.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by cbertels

Will this replace the current M6 GTLM cars? Seems like the BMW teams just got into a groove sorting out that chassis. Hopefully the new car isn't plagued by its predecessors gremlins.

IMSA uses the FIA/ACO GTE technical specification for GTLM, so it is a likely bet that it will come to the Weather Tech series.

The problem wasn't the M6 GTLM, it was IMSA's failure to balance the class. The GTLM class uses BoP, and BMW have been running at a disadvantage for the last 18 months or so. RLL haven't made any major changes, but BoP for the M6 GTLM is finally at a point where they can compete. The fact that it took so long is just mind boggling.

[cbertels]

Thanks for the info. I'm fairly new with these series and the forums have been helpful in learning the ins and out. I've seen a lot of discussions about the BoP issues. Here's hoping the new car can keep the forward momentum.

[bradleyland]

Yeah, it's kind of a process. There's a lot to learn, but it's really rewarding once you get your head around all of it. Racing these days is as much about politics as it is the cars and drivers.

You should head to the Rolex 24 at Daytona next year! Daytona International Speedway is a really incredible venue. The entire facility was just refreshed, and it turned out really incredible.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

looks a lot like a 6 series. bmw and their playing with numbers... really curious to see how the next 6 series takes on the 911 without being smaller than the f82 or taking sales away from their new 8 series.

Oh... I guess you haven't seen the new 6 series?

Well the good news is it trumps the 911 hands down on boot space ...

We'll leave it there shall we.

[cbertels]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

looks a lot like a 6 series. bmw and their playing with numbers... really curious to see how the next 6 series takes on the 911 without being smaller than the f82 or taking sales away from their new 8 series.

The new 6er is essentially the 5er GT. I wish I was kidding...