The BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh is almost ready to hit the track for the first development tests that will lead to its debut in the GTP Class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The presentation of the brand new prototype of the Bavarian company built on a Dallara chassis took place at the beginning of June and now the first technical indications on how the engine of the vehicle will be arrived from Germany.
The ignition of the V8 turbo engine called P66 / 3 combined with the electric unit took place a couple of weeks ago and, as anticipated in recent months, is based on the P66 / 1 naturally aspirated unit that was mounted on the M4 of the DTM in 2017. -2018.
BMW M LMDh car
Photo by: BMW AG
The V8 is installed on a monocoque chassis and not with an additional subframe, and in the first stage it passed an intermediate plug from naturally aspirated to turbocharged which had been christened P66 / 2, equipped with two turbos and adjusting the transmission.
Here we worked on the rove at the dyno and on the track to evaluate the reliability, the potential and the resistance, to then become a real racing engine – the current P66 / 3 – with the definitive exhaust system, fuel tank. ‘oil, wiring and integration to the electric unit, developed and based on the experiences gathered by the Formula E team over the years.
The unit that makes up the car’s hybrid drive system consists of the electric motor, the inverter and the high voltage battery. Between the electric and combustion engine there is a clutch that allows fully electric traction, for example in the pit lane.
BMW M Hybrid V8, P66 / 3 engine
Photo by: BMW
Ulrich Schulz, head of drivetrain design at BMW M Motorsport, explained how the work, which began with the work team in 2021 and even before obtaining approval from the BMW board of directors, was carried out.
“During the evaluation phase, we also considered the P48 four-cylinder turbo engine of the BMW M4 DTM and the P63 eight-cylinder turbo engine of the BMW M8 GTE, but the potential durability issues of the P48 and the heavy weight of the P63. have not had positive feedback “, reveals the coach.
“It is a great advantage to have been able to use existing materials, such as steel and aluminum, from the days of BMW in Formula 1, for the engine base and for the individual components, such as shafts, housings and small parts. it has allowed us to save time and money, and therefore to be efficient and sustainable “.
BMW M Hybrid V8, P66 / 3 engine
Photo by: BMW
“Efficiency is critical for this project, as we have a very short period of time between start and the first race at Daytona in 2023. The conversion of the normally aspirated P66 / 1 engine to a bi-turbo. and the subsequent collaboration with the electric transmission bond to transform it into a hybrid drive system was very complex. “
“Thanks to the expertise, the great cooperation and the high level of motivation of all departments, we were able to complete the focus of the complete drive unit only a few weeks ago. We are now convinced that there will be no problems in the tests.”
BMW M Hybrid V8 P66 / 3 specifications
First name |
VOtto four-stroke twin-turbo |
Displacement |
3,999 cc |
Cylinders |
8 |
Cylinder construction |
Cylinder block and head in cast aluminum, cylinder coating in iron layer with LDS procedure |
V corner |
90 ° |
Bore |
93 mm |
Race |
73.6 mm |
Distance between cylinders |
102 mm |
Valves per cylinder |
4 |
Turns |
Max 8,200 rpm |
Power |
About 640 hp |
Couple |
About 650 Nm |
Injection |
Direct high pressure at 350 bar |
Lubrication |
Dry sump system with six-cell oil drain pump and reservoir |
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