BMW's Newest IMSA Team Debuts With Updated M Hybrid V8

BMW M Team WRT is set to make its first official IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship appearance with the BMW M Hybrid V8 this weekend during the sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway. The Belgian-run factory outfit, which has campaigned the same hybrid BMW prototype in the FIA World Endurance Championship, now joins IMSA competition ahead of the 2026 season.

The Daytona test marks more than just a debut. It’s also the first public outing for the car’s updated design and new lighting system. The latest aerodynamic package—previewed in earlier development sessions—includes a smaller kidney grille and revised front splitter aimed at improving cooling and airflow. But the most visible change is the addition of new headlights featuring BMW’s signature yellow tint, a nod to decades of BMW M race cars and high-performance models that have used yellow lighting as a visual signature.

The updated headlights aren’t just cosmetic. BMW says the technology delivers broader and brighter illumination to improve visibility during the long nighttime stints typical of endurance events such as Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans. The system integrates with the car’s existing Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille, a detail that now links BMW’s race cars directly with its production M lineup, including the latest CS variants of the M3, M4, and M5.

Testing at Daytona gives BMW M Team WRT the chance to adapt to IMSA’s procedures and gather early performance data before the competitive season begins. The team will run cars numbered 24 and 25 over five sessions across Friday and Saturday, with six factory drivers sharing duties: Philipp Eng, Robin Frijns, Kevin Magnussen, René Rast, Dries Vanthoor, and Marco Wittmann.

BMW M Team RLL, which has carried the manufacturer’s IMSA program since the introduction of the GTP class, will support WRT during the transition. The collaboration is intended to smooth WRT’s integration into IMSA while maintaining BMW’s continuity between its North American and global endurance racing efforts.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, said the Daytona sessions are crucial for preparation ahead of the 24 Hours of Daytona in January. “The new design and headlights not only look spectacular but are also intended to further optimise performance,” Roos said. “We’ll use the time at Daytona and during the Roar test in January to fine-tune both the updated cars and the team for the first major challenge of the season.”

The test represents an important step in BMW’s effort to unify its endurance programs and refine the M Hybrid V8 platform ahead of another year competing against manufacturers like Porsche, Cadillac, Acura, and Lamborghini in top-level hybrid prototype racing.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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