BMW M8 GTE
BMW M8 GTE, run by BMW Team MTEK, at the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone race | |||||||||
Category | GT Endurance (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GTLM and FIA WEC GTE Pro) | ||||||||
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Constructor | BMW | ||||||||
Designer(s) | Dominic Harlow and Michael Scully | ||||||||
Predecessor | BMW M6 GTLM | ||||||||
Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||
Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque with safety roll cage | ||||||||
Suspension (front) | Pushrod with double wishbones coupled with ZF Sachs dampers | ||||||||
Suspension (rear) | Pushrod with double wishbones coupled with ZF Sachs dampers | ||||||||
Length | 4,980 mm (196 in) excluding rear wing | ||||||||
Width | 2,224 mm (88 in) | ||||||||
Height | 1,212 mm (48 in) variable | ||||||||
Wheelbase | 2,880 mm (113 in) | ||||||||
Engine | Race-spec production based BMW P63/1 3,981 cc (243 cu in) V8 90° M TwinPower Turbo technology, front engine, longitudinally mounted | ||||||||
Transmission | Ricardo 6-speed sequential semi-automatic paddle shift | ||||||||
Power | Over 500 hp (373 kW) @ 7,000 rpm | ||||||||
Weight | 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) including driver | ||||||||
Fuel | Total[2] (FIA WEC, 24 Hours of Le Mans), VP Racing Fuels (WeatherTech SportsCar Championship) and Shell V-Power | ||||||||
Lubricants | Shell Helix Ultra/Pennzoil Ultra | ||||||||
Brakes | AP Racing carbon brake discs with 6-piston calipers and pads | ||||||||
Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||
Notable entrants |
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Notable drivers |
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Debut | 2018 24 Hours of Daytona | ||||||||
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Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
The BMW M8 GTE is an endurance grand tourer (GT) car constructed by the German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was developed in late 2016 and has made its competitive début in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC for the 2018 season, and thus marking BMW Motorsport's return to 24 Hours of Le Mans after a six-year hiatus.[3] It was designed by BMW chief engineer Dominic Harlow. The M8 GTE, which replaced the ongoing BMW M6 GTLM at the end of the 2017 season, is based on the upcoming BMW M8. The car was unveiled on 12 September 2017 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Germany.[4]
Development
BMW began development, design and construction of the M8 GTE in mid-2016. The first chassis was assembled in June 2017, with the first vehicle completed in July. The M8 GTE is the first car manufactured by BMW Motorsport from the ground up as a LM GTE homologated vehicle, rather than based off an existing design.
Technical Features
The BMW M8 GTE programme utilizes several cutting-edge technologies and concepts, such as Additive Manufacturing[5] for rapid prototyping of components, as well as a transaxle, integrating the transmission, driveshaft, and axle assembly into a single unit, which in turn reduces the weight of the M8 GTE.
The M8 GTE is powered by a front-mid mounted BMW P63 turbocharged V8 engine, the motorsport variant of the S63 motor found in roadgoing BMW's such as the F90 M5, as well as the upcoming roadgoing BMW 8 Series (G14).
References
- ↑ "#MISSION8 - BMW M8 GTE Technical Specifications". bmw-motorsport.com. bmw-motorsport.com. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ↑ "FIA WEC Secures Five Year Total Deal". sportspromedia.com. sportspromedia.com. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ↑ "BMW to enter WEC from 2018". fiawec.com. fiawec.com. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ↑ "BMW Unveils M8 GTE at Frankfurt Auto Show". sportscar365.com. sportscar365.com. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ↑ "#MISSION8 | BMW Motorsport". www.bmw-motorsport.com. Retrieved 2018-07-05.