This is the car BMW could race at Le Mans

BMW's LMDh car, which will race in the GTP category of the IMSA Sportscar Championship in 2024, is based on a new-generation LMP2 chassis built by Dallara, with the rest of the bodywork and drivetrain developed by BMW. It will race as a hybrid, running a spec system identical on all LMDh cars.

The BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype exploits a manufacturer’s ability within LMDh rules to add styling elements from its road-going products. In this case a pair of not insignificant kidney grilles across the front of the car. These grilles have been consistently featured since the very first concept designs were revealed last year.

The car also features slim “BMW icon” running lights down its vertical headlight arrangement, set on the front wings. The design team at BMW M has even managed to fit a Hofmeister kink – or an approximation of one – into the side window in the car’s door, while the wingmirrors are designed to ape those on the M4 and M3.

While this will no doubt be what the overall look of the final car remains, the released images are of a prototype, just about to begin testing, and the livery is still a light camouflage. This special scheme includes images of previous BMW M IMSA racing cars and race winners.

Speaking about the new car, Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said: “The most critical task and the greatest challenge for the design team in the LMDh programme design team was that the prototype must be clearly recognisable as a BMW M Motorsport car.

“Congratulations to the design and aerodynamics departments at BMW M Motorsport and Dallara on their great work. I can hardly wait to see the BMW M Hybrid V8 on the track soon.”

BMW also confirmed that a brand new BMW Motorsport livery would follow for the new car’s racing debut at the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours. The car is currently only set to race with Team RLL in IMSA, with no WEC programme announced so far, but a tilt at the Le Mans 24 Hours has yet to be ruled out. It will be the first time that BMW has raced at the top level in American Sportscars since the V12 LMR raced in the American Le Mans Series in 2000.