BMW will participate in IMSA in 2023 with the M Hybrid V8 LMDh prototype Car News

Of the four chassis suppliers nominated, BMW – like Cadillac – opted for Italian automaker Dallara, while Porsche will use foundations provided by Multimatic and Acura has partnered with French Oreca.

Manufacturers have free reign over the design of their cars, however, and BMW has opted for a look that nods to its two current road cars and celebrates the 50th anniversary of its performance division.

“The prototype is clearly recognizable as a BMW M car,” the firm said, pointing to the oversized front grilles – which channel air to the mid-mounted V8 – as well as the “hook” style exterior mirrors. “, distinctive. taillight designs and even a side graphic that mimics the company’s trademark Hofmeister crease.

The driver’s camouflage – which will be replaced with a sponsored livery in time for his racing debut – contains references to some of the M Division’s most successful racing cars of the past half-century, including the 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL, the 1981 BMW M1 and the 1986 BMW. GTP and the newer BMW M8 GTE.

Michael Scully, BMW Group Designworks Global Automotive Director, said: “My team’s job was to make the BMW M Hybrid V8 look like a BMW and to seize every opportunity to make it perform on the road as well. racetrack.