BMW will return to Le Mans 24 Hours and the top sports car racing in the new LMDh class of prototypes in 2023.
BMW won the Le Mans prototype V12 LMR in 1999 and has been thinking about returning for some time. The move was already confirmed in June this year by BMW boss Markus Flasch by posting on Instagram, which also featured a picture of the car with the caption “We’re back, Dayton 2023.”
In the meantime, a new prototype of a race car has been published.
2023 BMW LMDh specs
As the name of the competition suggests, Le Mans Daytona hybrid prototypes will have electrified propulsion, with a combination of petrol and electric motors with a total of 500 kW / 670hp.
The batteries are provided by Williams Advanced Engineering and the transmission will be made by Xtrac, for prototypes that will weigh at least 1030 kg. The LMDh racing models will be up to 5100 mm long, while the wheelbase is 3150 mm.
BMW will make the first test car in Italy, in collaboration with Dallara engineers.
Porsche, Audi and Acura have already confirmed that they will enter the LMDh class, which will be eligible for the US IMSA Championship which includes Dayton 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship. That latter championship includes Le Mans and also includes cars in the Le Mans Hypercar class, including Toyota, Peugeot and Ferrari.
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source: autosport