BMW reveals new details regarding the V8 of its LMDh

When the BMW M Hybrid V8 was revealed on June 6, we knew which path the German manufacturer had taken regarding its engine without knowing its specifics. A little over a month after the presentation of its LMDh, the Munich firm has provided new details concerning the hybrid V8 of its prototype.

Although the official Shakedown has not yet taken place, BMW has already been able to put its V8 hybrid engine into operation on a test car at the end of June. Expected in IMSA from the 24 2023 Hours of Daytona (January 26-29), the BMW M Hybrid V8 will be powered by an eight-cylinder turbo engine named P66/3 and equipped with a hybrid system for 640 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque.

A V8 inspired by the BMW M4 DTM

The BMW M Hybrid V8 powertrain is based on the M4 engine DTM entered in the German touring championship in 2017 and 2018 (P66/1). “ During two phases of reconstruction, it underwent extensive adjustments to meet the stringent requirements of the LMDh hybrid drive system, indicates the manufacturer to the propeller. The M4 DTM engine had the advantage of being able to be used in a monocoque chassis without an additional subframe and was also the one that best met regulatory requirements after conversion to a turbo hybrid engine.."

« During the evaluation phase, we also looked at the P48 four-cylinder turbo engine in the BMW M4 DTM and the P63 eight-cylinder turbo engine in the BMW M8 GTE, but the P48's potential durability issues and the high weight of the P63 presented major constraints, underlines Ulrich Schulz, head of engine design, when discussing the choice of P66/3 for the BMW M Hybrid V8. The fact that we were able to use existing materials such as steel and aluminum, drawn from BMW's experience in Formula 1, for the engine base as well as for individual components, such as drive shafts, housings and small parts, is a huge advantage. This allowed us to save time and a lot of money, and therefore to be efficient and sustainable.."

BMW will be able to have a first feedback of the performance of the P66/3 on the track when the BMW M Hybrid V8 performs its shakedown at Varano de Malegari (Italy) at the end of July. As a reminder, two copies will be in the running in IMSA from next season via Team RLL (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) in the new GTP category.

ALSO READ > The BMW M Hybrid V8 has been revealed

The technical sheet of the P66/3 of the BMW M Hybrid V8