[OzJustin]

Great to see BMW back.

I'm satisfied with a GT basis for them but I'm biased as I like seeing the Porsche vs Audi battle in LMP1. It is a shame to see that Nissan couldn't add some pressure though.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's not clear the Z5 (which, BTW, insider ynguldyn seems to think is actually going to be called the Z4 again) will be here at all in 1.5 years. Mules are still very much covered, about like a G20 test car and we know that one is (just) over two years away. BMW has only said "by 2020".

Not sure why an M2 is automatically off the table.

And as noted in the press release the M4 is already coming as a GT4 so it's presence in DTM means little - no reason they can't bring it to the faster, less stock GT racing classes as well.

The M2 wheelbase is too short. One of the main reasons the Z4 GTLM suffered late in its development. We'll see how soon they reveal the GTE car, if its sooner rather than later then it will be a M4. It all depends on the timing of the reveal of the road car Z5, that is looking like an auto show next year. Using Z5 would be great advertisement for the new car, which is moving into the 911 category. They developed the E92 M3 GTR side by side with the E92 M3, the RLL M3 GTR debuted in Feb 2008 at Chicago Auto Show. I don't doubt they could have similar plans with the Z5 or Z4, what ever they call it. And then there is the argument, if they aren't waiting for a car...then why wait?

[bimmerguy123]

.

[bradleyland]

Agreed, an S55 based race engine would put BMW in the unenviable position of having the smallest displacement engine in the WEC GTE field. I believe Ford currently holds that honor at 3.5L V6t.

[bradleyland]

How anticlimactic would it be if BMW just announced an M6 GTE, calling it a "new GT car"?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

The M2 wheelbase is too short. One of the main reasons the Z4 GTLM suffered late in its development. We'll see how soon they reveal the GTE car, if its sooner rather than later then it will be a M4. It all depends on the timing of the reveal of the road car Z5, that is looking like an auto show next year. Using Z5 would be great advertisement for the new car, which is moving into the 911 category. They developed the E92 M3 GTR side by side with the E92 M3, the RLL M3 GTR debuted in Feb 2008 at Chicago Auto Show. I don't doubt they could have similar plans with the Z5 or Z4, what ever they call it. And then there is the argument, if they aren't waiting for a car...then why wait?

Well, we don't have wheelbase numbers yet, but I would not necessarily bet on the "Z5" outdoing the M2 in that area. I hear you on the RLL GT2. Fair point, but timing is still tight by my judgement of where the new car is now. Oh, and I don't think they are waiting for a donor car to homolomgate, I think they are probably already starting development today, whichever car it is.

How about an i8? That would be a left field entry to put a look of shock on everyone's face. Of course that look might be followed by laughter. But then, who knows what kind of exceptions they would be granted for the engine. I doubt they could though because they would want to go full ICE I'd think (perhaps by rule, I don't know). And that would send the message that a "green" race car wasn't good enough to compete.

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Agreed, an S55 based race engine would put BMW in the unenviable position of having the smallest displacement engine in the WEC GTE field. I believe Ford currently holds that honor at 3.5L V6t.

True. That was my thought about why they chose the M6 for the GT3 car to begin with - 4.4L to work with instead of 3.0L. At some point you have to make it work though, or as everything downsizes, eventually you will be racing a Rolls (maybe not such a joke though, there is the Bentley Continental GT3).

Originally Posted by bradleyland

How anticlimactic would it be if BMW just announced an M6 GTE, calling it a "new GT car"?

That would be a real short run since the current M6 is EOP 10/18. Probably at least 2020 before the next one. They could run it beyond the production car's life of course, but who wants to feature yesterday's news in their race program?

[bradleyland]

Yeah, I don't see them actually rolling out an M6 GTE, but man, the lulz that would be had!

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

How about an i8? That would be a left field entry to put a look of shock on everyone's face. Of course that look might be followed by laughter. But then, who knows what kind of exceptions they would be granted for the engine. I doubt they could though because they would want to go full ICE I'd think (perhaps by rule, I don't know). And that would send the message that a "green" race car wasn't good enough to compete.

Holy hofmeister kink! Wow, that would be something.

IMSA just happens to use FIA/ACO GTE regulations for GTLM, and I just happen to know where to find those, so ignore the fact that this is an IMSA link for a moment and have a look at my notes:

http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/fi..._blackline.pdf

§1.19 General Descriptions - Energy-recovery: Any energy-recovery system other than that provided by the engine is prohibited. (page 4/76)

§3.300 Engine - Type and eligibility: If a mean of propulsion different than an internal combustion engine is considered, it needs to be used directly from the original car without any modification. (page 8/76)

The restrictions on energy-recovery would seem to rule out a hybrid car like the i8. At least under the current regs. IIRC, BMW would have a real challenge fitting a different engine in the i8. The B38 is very compact.

[Fake News 2017]

Audi quitting WEC for Formula E in 2018...BMW scared them off!!!

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by TypeM4

Audi quitting WEC for Formula E in 2018...BMW scared them off!!!

Not sure if serious...

Audi quit WEC LMP1. BMW is entering WEC GTE.

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Not sure if serious...

Audi quit WEC LMP1. BMW is entering WEC GTE.

Seriously

http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/10/...not-formula-1/

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by TypeM4

Seriously

http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/10/...not-formula-1/

I'm aware of Audi's departure.

You're going to have to explain how BMW's intent to field a GTE class competitor scared Audi out of LMP1.

[Nivarox]

That's great news and this is what I would like to hear

[E90SLAM]

Great news!!!
At the current environment, GTE Class is more practical.
Even Audi is leaving the LMP1 class races.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Great news!!!
At the current environment, GTE Class is more practical.
Even Audi is leaving the LMP1 class races.

Audi is leaving LMP1 for multiple reasons, but the two most significant factors are:

VAG are facing massive fines related to dieselgate, which is squeezing budgets.

VAG already has a winner in LMP1 with Porsche, so the Audi effort is somewhat redundant.

I do agree that GTE is more practical, but manufacturers still like to chase the overall win, and that's only possible in LMP1.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Seen some articles mention rumors that the new GT for WEC will be based on the upcoming M8.

[bradleyland]

I've seen that referenced a few times. I find it odd that just about every reference I've seen says "widely believed to be", or "unconfirmed sources indicate". IMO, the rumors are still really soft. Not saying it won't be an M8, but I think people are largely guessing at this point.

[DC-T]

Long as the DTM team intact could care less if they used the 1 series to race. Audi pulled out of the WEC so was worried

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by DC-T

Long as the DTM team intact could care less if they used the 1 series to race. Audi pulled out of the WEC so was worried

Are you saying Audi was worried BMW was going to beat their LMP1 car with a GTE car?