When BMW introduced the updated M Hybrid V8 a few months ago, all eyes were on the smaller grille. Because how often does a new BMW debut with smaller kidneys? However, there was more to the 2026 series race car than just its redesigned signature design feature.
The first images published at the end of August showed the M Hybrid V8 with partially camouflaged headlights. Now BMW is shedding the disguise and unveiling the new look ahead of the endurance racer’s track debut. The BMW M Team WRT hypercar will be at Daytona this weekend for an officially sanctioned test.
They’re certainly not the most attractive headlights we’ve seen on a BMW, but their job isn’t to look pretty. Without going into details, the BMW Motorsport department states that the new setup offers better illumination than before. As far as we know, the two rectangular LED modules positioned on the outer edge are new.
According to BMW, the updated headlights provide better visibility, reducing the risk of accidents in poorly lit sections of the route. Otherwise, the slightly inclined light bars on the inside are now yellow instead of white. This means that the M Hybrid V8 corresponds to the M4 GT4 EVO and GT3 EVO racing cars as well as several road-legal CS models, which also have yellow daytime running lights.
The improved lighting will help drivers see better during night racing in both the IMSA and WEC championships. The M Hybrid V8 will put the headlights to good use in endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans, as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans and the WEC rounds in Bahrain and Qatar.
The smaller kidney grille retains its illuminated contour, reflecting BMW’s road cars. The optimizations are rounded off by a revised splitter for improved aerodynamics. The redesigned M Hybrid V8 will take to the track for five test sessions on Friday and Saturday with cars No. 24 and No. 25, driven by Philipp Eng, Robin Frijns, Kevin Magnussen, René Rast, Dries Vanthoor and Marco Wittmann.
The revised BMW M Hybrid V8 will enter competition in the 2026 season.
