2023 BMW M Hybrid V8 Revealed in Motorsport Livery With Illuminated Grille

The BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racer has been unveiled in the U.S. before its January race debut.

BMW presented the 631 hp (640 PS) electrified V8 monster at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles last night. It features broad, lighted kidney grilles and BMW Motorsport's famed red, blue, and violet color scheme.

BMW's grille surrounds are illuminated by a laser-triggered nano-active optical fiber.

The L.E.S.S. innovation was featured on BMW's M Vision Next supercar concept in 2019 and saves weight over regular LEDs. The grilles draw air into the Hybrid's body structure to create downforce.

The livery features "M" badges on the nose and roof. The largest logo isn't usually seen. Flashes of light and dark paint on the rear fenders and vertical fin look abstract from some perspectives.

From the side, the car's triangles form a gigantic M. A diagonal feature line in the rear side pod mimics the Hofmeister kink on BMW's C-pillars.

BMW named the four drivers who will drive the M Hybrid in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. They're Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng, Augusto Farfus, and Nick Yelloly.

Colton Herta, who won the 24 Hours of Daytona in GTLM with BMW M Team RLL in 2019, will join the team.