BMW teases new Le Mans racer

BMW is gearing up for a return to top-level sports car racing in 2023 and, to prove it, it previewed its all-new BMW M LMDh prototype racer in a sketch over the weekend.

Just two examples of the hard-core single-seat race car, which would become the spiritual successor to BMW’s last Le Mans-winning V12 LMR, will be designed and produced in a collaboration between BMW M Motorsport and BMW Group Designworks.

There’s no doubting its wickedly capable looks – which include an extreme take on BMW’s signature ‘big mouth’ double kidney grille design – and the prototype’s designers say it unites “iconic elements of BMW M Motorsport design DNA with the performant architecture of an ultra-modern prototype”.

A huge front splitter looks menacing, as does the rear-end’s huge wing, which can only just be seen from the sketch.

Set to compete in the North American IMSA race series at Daytona, Sebring and Road Atlanta, the new BMW racer would also be the perfect vehicle to take on Le Mans, a race that the manufacturer hasn’t won since 1999.

“BMW is back on the big motorsport stage,” said BMW M boss Markus Flasch in a press release on Saturday.

“In entering the LMDh class, BMW M Motorsport is fulfilling the prerequisites to challenge for overall victory at the most iconic endurance races in the world from 2023. We will be fully focussed on tackling this challenge.”

Stay tuned for the latest on BMW’s latest entrant in the LMDh hypercar category, including more details and a full in-the-metal reveal some time in 2022.