M8 [Official] The New BMW M8 GTE

[Matski]

Frankfurt. BMW Motorsport presented its new top-of-the-range model for the international GT racing scene at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main: the BMW M8 GTE. Before the BMW 8 Series Coupé goes on sale, the race car will compete on the track next season, including in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). It is with this series that BMW Motorsport will also make its return to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA). As such, the BMW M8 GTE will be associated with both innovative, cutting-edge technology and decades of motorsport tradition. At the IAA, the new car was on display in a BMW M Motorsport livery, designed especially for this occasion, providing a visual taste of things to come in 2018. It reflects the close relationship between the development of production vehicles and motorsport, and once again underlines the degree, to which BMW Motorsport and BMW M belong together.

The BMW M8 GTE enjoyed a successful roll-out on 1st July 2017 at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing (GER) – the very place where the production model of the new BMW 8 Series will be manufactured. The close link between production and motor racing is one of the cornerstones of the development of the BMW M8 GTE. The knowledge gained from race outings with the new car in the FIA WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in North America will be directly incorporated in the development of the production model, which is running parallel to the motorsport project.

“The BMW M8 GTE is our new GT flagship and will go head to head with the strong opposition in this sector,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “For us, the presentation of the uncamouflaged car at the IAA is the next important step on the road to our first race outing, which we plan to be the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2018. The FIA WEC and the IMSA series in North America are a top competitive environment for our new challenger. With the BMW M8 GTE, we are bringing cutting-edge technology to the top international class of GT racing, whilst at the same time tying in with our tradition at Le Mans. The development of the BMW M8 GTE is on schedule, and we can hardly wait to see the car challenging for victories in 2018.”

A new degree of efficiency.
The V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology, which is restricted by regulations to a capacity of 4.0 litres, has a nominal base output of more than 500 hp, depending on the classification. The cylinder block and cylinder head are taken from the production engine and are produced in the light alloy foundry at the BMW Group plant in Landshut (GER). The focus of the development work is on achieving the greatest possible efficiency and maximum durability. The powerful production engine provides the perfect basis. The power transmission in the BMW M8 GTE takes place via a sequential, six-speed racing gearbox.

Artificial intelligence gives engineers greater freedom.
“Virtual development” plays a central role in the development of the BMW M8 GTE. For example, the traction control is being developed with the assistance of an artificial intelligence system. Topology optimisation with 3D printing gives the engineers far greater freedom in their search for innovative and creative solutions for the design of the car. Rapid prototyping also allows them to take delivery of a new part, as a usable prototype, just 24 hours after the virtual development.

Motor racing and production go hand in hand – design similarities.
Racing and production engineers closely worked together within the framework of the BMW M8 GTE project. For instance, consistent lightweight design also plays a crucial role in the development of the new GT sports car. A significant weight reduction is achieved through the extensive use of ultra-light CFRP components. At a length of 4,980 mm and a width of 2,046 mm, the car weighs just 1,220 kilograms. The design of the BMW M8 GTE also reflects the close relationship to the BMW 8 Series and the BMW M8. This is particularly apparent in the same roof line and the design of the front and rear lights.

Peak performance in aerodynamics development.
Work on the aerodynamics of a new race car is as time-consuming as it is indispensable. As such, it is all the more important for the BMW engineers to be able to work on the chassis of the BMW M8 GTE with maximum efficiency from the outset. A new algorithm allows a significant increase in CFD calculations, thus making it possible to use greater computing power to clearly increase the number of possible simulations, before progressing to the wind tunnel. Here, BMW Motorsport uses synergies with production development and benefits from the perfect test conditions in the BMW Group Aero Lab. One of the results of the aero development is innovative aero rims, which will be presented as a concept at the IAA.

Latest 3D measurement technology in use.
The close interdependence between production and motorsport development continues in another two important areas: the same 3D measurement technology that was used on the BMW M4 DTM, which made its first race outing in 2017, is also used on the BMW M8 GTE. The ultra-modern measurement system from the BMW production development department provides the perfect quality control once the race car has been assembled. With such a complex car as the BMW M8 GTE, which is built completely by hand, it is essential that all the dimensions are correctly adhered to and implemented.

Long history of BMW Motorsport in Le Mans.
BMW Motorsport returns to Le Mans with the FIA WEC in 2018. The last time a BMW race car featured on the grid was back in 2011, with the BMW M3 GT2. One year prior to that, the Jeff Koons’ (USA) BMW M3 GT2 Art Car had caught the eye, as it wrote the latest chapter in the story of the BMW Art Car Collection at Le Mans. Among the BMW Art Cars that had started previously at Le Mans were Alexander Calder’s (USA, 1975) BMW 3.0 CSL, the BMW 320i designed by Roy Lichtenstein (USA, 1977) and Andy Warhol’s (USA, 1979) BMW M1.

BMW Motorsport’s greatest sporting hour in Le Mans came in 1999, when Yannick Dalmas (FRA), Joachim Winkelhock (GER) and Pierluigi Martini (ITA) took overall victory in a BMW V12 LMR. The McLaren F1 GTR, powered by a BMW engine, had previously triumphed at the “Circuit de la Sarthe” in 1995.

The first time a BMW car started at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was back in 1939, when a BMW 328 claimed a class victory after 236 laps of racing. After 1972, BMW cars regularly lined up at the endurance classic.

BMW M8 GTE: Technical Details.

Dimensions

Length without rear wing: 4,980 mm
Width without mirrors: 2,046 mm
Width with mirrors: 2,224 mm
Height: 1,212 mm (variable)
Wheelbase: 2,880 mm

Engine

Model: V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology
Capacity: 3,981 cc
Number of cylinders: 8
V angle: 90°
Bore: 89 mm
Stroke: 80 mm
Cylinder spacing: 98 mm
Engine speed: approx. 7,000 rpm

Body

• Composite body with carbon core and DMSB-approved safety roll cage
• CFRP outer shell with quick-change concept


Chassis

• Double wishbones on front and rear axle
• Four-way adjustable shock absorbers at front and rear
• Anti-roll bars with quick adjustment

Power Transmission

• Six-speed sequential motorsport gearbox
• Electric paddle shift system
• Limited slip differential
• CFRP drive shaft
• Sachs carbon-fibre clutch

Electronics

• BMW Motorsport in-house developed software functions for engine, gearbox and
driver assistance
• Steering wheel with 16 buttons and seven dials
• Rear-view camera system with object recognition
• High-performance headlights with OSRAM LED elements
• Live telemetry system for vehicle monitoring

Wheels/Tyres

• BMW Aero rims: 12.5x18 inch on the front axle, 13x18 inch on the rear axle
• Michelin tyres: 30/68 R18 on the front axle, 31/71 R18 on the rear axle

 

[Deleted member 25]

And that's the new 8er, btw we have the confirmation for the new tail light theme, long and thin stripes, the thinness effect being accentuated by the greyed out area.

 

[Centurion]

Those must be the head and tail lights we'll see on the production model. It's a shame that they are much less dramatic than those on the concept but it was nevertheless expected.

 

[fortuner]

So am I correct in saying this replaces the current 6 series ?

So the GT gets launched before the standard version that's interesting.

 

[Matski]

So am I correct in saying this replaces the current 6 series ?

So the GT gets launched before the standard version that's interesting.

The 8-er replaces the 6-er as a production model.

Based on earlier reports, the M8 GTE will run as a factory GTE/GTLM race car for BMW next year, with the M6 still being the customer GT3 racing car, at least for next year, and rumoured 2019 also. The 2018 M6 GT3 will run with an Evolution package - updates developed over this year.

 

[domleo999]

It looks very much like the 6 series...especially from the back. I even prefer the current 6er LCI headlights compared to these - these lights remind me of the current A5.

I think joining the lights to the grille would have improved the aggressive look.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Thanks @Matski for being on top of the development of this car. It's finally here!

I certainly doesn't look all that pretty, but I guess it means business. Looks more toned than the M6 GTE/LM, and that rear diffusor is now more inline with the likes of the Ford and Porsche. It's been a bit of a dry spell for BMW in GT competition over the past few years. Let's hope the M8 can deliver.

With the uncertainty of the LMP1-H class at Le Mans, all the focus now is going to be on the GT battle!! The Roar Before the 24 can't come soon enough!!

 

[EnI]

8er's wheelbase is just an inch longer than F12 6er Coupé's (2,880mm vs 2,855mm). Eg. S-class coupé : 2,945mm.

 

[chonkoa]

It looks very much like the 6 series...especially from the back. I even prefer the current 6er LCI headlights compared to these - these lights remind me of the current A5.

I think joining the lights to the grille would have improved the aggressive look.

That is because it is a rebadged 6 series.

 

[aleks_16]

I can't remember Who asked But in this beast should be the New 4.0 L engine

 

[chonkoa]

I can't remember Who asked But in this beast should be the New 4.0 L engine

You are right, it does have the 4.0l V8.

 

[tomazino]

M8 GTE do not wear production headlight. Look closely Production headlights are underneath

 

[aleks_16]

^?

 

[domleo999]

the 4.0 V8 is due to :

The V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology, which is restricted by regulations to a capacity of 4.0 litres, has a nominal base output of more than 500 hp, depending on the classification.

Maybe it might feature in new vehicles? who knows...

 

[Matski]

8er's wheelbase is just an inch longer than F12 6er Coupé's (2,880mm vs 2,855mm). Eg. S-class coupé : 2,945mm.

It's not correct to scale from the race car, the M6 GT3 wheelbase is 2901mm, which is ~50mm longer than the production car... if that were the case here the M8 would have a shorter wheelbase than the M6 did at 2830mm.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Some live shots from BMW Motorsports Twitter feed.

 

[Matski]

I can't remember Who asked But in this beast should be the New 4.0 L engine

Maybe it might feature in new vehicles? who knows...

I'm not sure it's a "new" engine as such, it has the same bore and cylinder spacing as the N63/S63/P63, it is just shorter stroke in order to comlpy with the regs.

The road car can still use the 4.4 litre engine if the race car has a 4.0l has alterations to the bore and stroke are permitted.

 

[wallstbear]

What happened to this 8-series? Design language appears rather different.

 

[Matski]

What happened to this 8-series? Design language appears rather different.

One is a concept car previewing the styling direction of an unseen production car - the other is race car built to the wild aero regs of the WEC, based on an unseen production car.... it's fair to say, that the production car (the one everyone wants to see), is the missing link in this chain.

As I've posted elsewhere (in the 8-er concept thread) there are large imaginary blocks that define which bits of the car need to match the production car, and which bits don't.

Link to the post here 2020 BMW 8 series

Basically the only part of the side view that matches the production car is the roof line and the door.

 

[braaf]