BMW M8 GTE Aerodynamics – Video

The test work is entering a critical phase as the new BMW M8 GTE prepares to make its race debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA) in January. During the development of the car, which will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), the engineers have focussed on aerodynamics, among other things. The BMW M8 GTE boasts a host of innovative features which will also be incorporated in the development of future production vehicles, particularly the BMW 8 Series Coupé.

In addition to sprint races, the new BMW M8 GTE will primarily be in action in endurance races all over the world. With this in mind, the BMW Motorsport engineers aimed to achieve an aerodynamic solution that offers maximum efficiency and at the same time is as robust as possible. This refers not only to the durability of the components themselves, but also the aerodynamic stability and handling of the race car as a whole.

 

 

The development of the components began at the conception, on which the aerodynamics experts worked closely with their colleagues in the fields of driving dynamics and simulation. In total, well over 1,000 CFD calculations were performed for the BMW M8 GTE.

The use of innovative technology such as additive manufacturing, in close cooperation with the BMW Group’s Additive Manufacturing Centre, resulted in faster and more efficient development work. Starting with an idea proposed by an aerodynamic specialist, it sometimes took less than 24 hours to manufacture and test a component in the wind tunnel.

BMW Motorsport also used synergies with production development in the wind tunnel itself, and benefitted from the perfect test conditions at the BMW Group Aero Lab. In total, several hundred wind tunnel tests were performed whilst developing the aerodynamic properties of the BMW M8 GTE – first with models, then with the car itself.