BMW M Hybrid V8
Debut at the 2026 IMSA season opener, the 24 Hours of Daytona
The updated BMW M Hybrid V8 will be introduced in the WEC and IMSA in 2026. Its debut race is scheduled for the IMSA season-opening race, the Daytona 24 Hours.
The 2026 BMW M Hybrid V8, which appeared at the Paul Ricard circuit in camouflage, features a new front section with a smaller kidney grille and significantly improved aerodynamics.
Since its debut in the 2023 season, BMW M Motorsport has updated the aerodynamics based on the knowledge gained through WEC and IMSA racing activities. Testing will be conducted throughout 2025 to obtain final homologation, with the aim of introducing the car at the IMSA opening race, the Daytona 24 Hours, in 2026.
The aerodynamics development was carried out in collaboration between BMW M Motorsport engineers and chassis partner Dallara, from CFD analysis to actual part manufacturing. Following private testing over the past few weeks, the BMW M Hybrid V8 will be officially unveiled at the WEC joint test to be held at the Circuit of the Americas after Round 8 of the WEC, Lone Star Le Mans.
Downsized kidney grille
Based on the experience gained from previous races, improvements were made to the aerodynamics of the front section, and new headlight and kidney grille shapes were introduced.
The most significant change to the 2026 BMW M Hybrid V8 is its front section. A reshaped splitter optimizes airflow around the front axle. New headlight shapes have been introduced, and BMW’s iconic kidney grille has been downsized. The “BMW Iconic Glow” design, which was a distinctive feature of the BMW M Hybrid V8, with the grille periphery illuminated, has been carried over.
BMW M Motorsport has focused on improving the efficiency of airflow around the car in order to address the weaknesses of the BMW M Hybrid V8 that have become apparent over the past three seasons. The aerodynamic updates have enabled the car to deliver more consistent performance than ever before on all circuit layouts.
Andreas Roth, Head of BMW M Motorsport, added the following about the 2026 BMW M Hybrid V8:
“Since its debut in IMSA in 2023 and its entry in the WEC in 2024, we have learned a lot about the BMW M Hybrid V8. For this season we have improved the brakes and now we are making significant advances in the aerodynamics.
“Based on the results of the tests already conducted, we are convinced that the evolved BMW M Hybrid V8 will be able to compete at the front on all types of circuits. This will be a major step towards the top. Over the next few months, we will be fully prepared for the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2026.”
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