Eng: “Clear Difference” in Updated BMW M Hybrid V8

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Philipp Eng said there’s a “clear difference” in the drivability of the updated BMW M Hybrid V8, which will be rolled out for FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition next year.

The heavily updated LMDh car, which features nearly 50 percent all-new bodywork, officially broke cover during last weekend’s IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway, which also marked the first running for Team WRT in its new U.S.-based operations.

While Acura led the way in the test, the pair of Dallara-chassied GTP entries made continued progress over the two days of testing.

“We’re still learning about the package, of course, because it’s the first proper outing,” Eng told Sportscar365. “So far we’re quite pleased and I’m very looking forward to exploring more from it.

“There is a clear difference in terms of drivability and in terms of consistency. I think that’s exactly what you need in endurance racing.”

Eng’s 2025 WeatherTech Championship co-driver Dries Vanthoor was slightly downbeat but acknowledged the challenge the team faced at the test in not only coming to grips with the new aero package but also Michelin’s new-for-2026 Pilot Sport Endurance line of tires.

“We need to try and understand everything what we brought and what we are going to bring,” said Vanthoor. “At the moment it’s just for us understanding everything and making sure we can optimize everything.

“Obviously it’s a step forward but we just still need to understand. In terms of driving it feels different but kind of similar, which I think is good.”

Vanthoor said the new tire is “the same for everyone” although has added a new dynamic to BMW’s testing program.

“We need to try that understanding as soon as possible because obviously we’ve been testing last year, we’ve been driving this year, last year with our car and then trying to build an Evo on that,” he said.

“But when you bring a new tire, it can change a lot of philosophies again. We need to make sure we understand both of them.”

Eng, meanwhile, believes the M Hybrid V8’s aero overhaul, which is primarily focused on the nose of the car, will particularly benefit them in WeatherTech Championship competition, where there are often four classes of competition.

“Especially in this championship, I would say 80 percent of the time you’re not driving your ideal lines, which is a nice thing,” he said.

“You really need to have a car that needs to be predictable, and that’s exactly what we are trying to achieve with the updates.

“It’s still early days. It was a very intense day to learn about the car and to learn about the package. But so far, I’m quite happy with what we’ve delivered.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John