BMW has released the first official images of its new 2018 BMW M8 GTE racing race that will compete at the FIA World Endurance Championship starting in 2018.
The pictures taken during the first official race test in Lausitzring, Germany, give us a good idea of the style of the 2018 BMW M8 GTE. It is not surprising that the new coupe is very large and will have a long hood, a stupid rear end and small overhangs. Like other new BMWs, it will also feature two large front kidney grates flanked by some narrow and angry headlights.
In addition to his FIA WEC participation, the M8 GTE will also follow the track in North America in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. BMW says the race car will be subjected to many other events on racetracks around Europe and North America before its debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January. The automaker also said that the highlight of next year for the M8 GTE will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
“First of all, I feel very honored to have been able to drive the first real test of the BMW M8 GTE on the racetrack,” said Martin Tomczyk, BMW test driver after the three-day test in Lausitzring. “The BMW M8 GTE is good to drive from the start, and it\’s easy for us drivers to agree on how it handles, which is important.” Kilometers in our range and collected a lot of data, and we also took our first steps in terms of performance, which is by no means a test in a first test. And we will base ourselves on the solid basis we have established here at Lausitzring. ”
The power supply of the M8 and the associated G8 M8 will probably be the updated version of the 4.4-liter V8 from BMW that is in the upcoming M5. The engine will produce at least 600 horsepower in the performance sedan, and we expect a similar output for the M8. The M5 also features an eight-speed automatic transmission and a all-wheel drive, and while we expect eight-speed speeds to appear in the M8, it will emit only the rear wheels only.
The BMW 8-Series and M8 are expected to start some time later this year or early next year. The debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017 in September seems possible, or maybe at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We will have more information about the upcoming coupe once it\’s available.