SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 11, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 10, 2025 - SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 10, 2025 - As dusk settles over Daytona International Speedway this weekend, a new era of BMW endurance racing will quite literally shine. BMW M Team WRT is taking the BMW M Hybrid V8 onto American soil for its first official IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship test - and the prototype's new yellow headlights are stealing the show before the race even begins.
A debut that blends design and performance
BMW's latest evolution of its hybrid hypercar pairs technological refinement with visual drama. Alongside aerodynamic tweaks like a slimmer kidney grille and reworked front splitter, the 2026 version debuts new high-performance headlights designed to improve night visibility while paying homage to BMW M's racing heritage.
"The new design and headlights not only look spectacular but are also intended to further optimise performance," says Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. "We will work hard on this during the test at Daytona, as well as in January during the Roar. The time we have before the 24-hour race at the end of January will be used as effectively as possible to prepare both the cars and BMW M Team WRT for the first season highlight."
A glowing tribute to BMW M tradition
The yellow-tinted headlights - now an instantly recognizable BMW M signature - echo the design cues seen on EVO versions of the BMW M4 GT3 and M4 GT4, as well as on road-going performance icons like the M3 CS, M4 CS, and M5 CS. They're not just beautiful: they serve a practical purpose too.
During grueling events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and Le Mans, drivers must navigate poorly lit track sections at high speed. The updated lighting system, equipped with advanced optics and BMW's Iconic Glow contour lighting, dramatically enhances nighttime visibility, allowing drivers to judge distances and corners with greater precision and safety.
From Europe to the U.S.: WRT joins the IMSA grid
For Belgian-based BMW M Team WRT, the Daytona test marks its IMSA debut after two successful seasons in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The move expands BMW's racing footprint in North America, uniting WRT's European expertise with the deep IMSA experience of BMW M Team RLL. The collaboration ensures a seamless transition and accelerated learning curve ahead of the 2026 season.
Behind the wheel of the two M Hybrid V8 prototypes - cars #24 and #25 - will be a powerhouse lineup of BMW M works drivers: Philipp Eng (AUT), Robin Frijns (NED), Kevin Magnussen (DEN), René Rast (GER), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER). Across five official test sessions, the team will gather valuable data, fine-tune setup balance, and familiarize themselves with IMSA's unique procedures and regulations.
Editorial extra: What's new for 2026
- Aerodynamic refinement: Slimmer kidney grille and redesigned front splitter for optimized cooling and airflow.
- Enhanced lighting tech: New LED-based yellow headlights improve visibility and reflect BMW M's visual heritage.
- Team expansion: WRT enters IMSA competition with direct support from BMW M Team RLL.
- Driver depth: Six elite factory drivers combine endurance experience from both IMSA and WEC programs.
Racing toward Daytona 24 Hours
This Daytona debut sets the stage for BMW's 2026 endurance campaign, with the first major test being the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. The updated BMW M Hybrid V8 aims to blend innovation with racing soul - balancing hybrid technology, aerodynamic precision, and unmistakable BMW charisma under the floodlights.
For fans, it's more than just a performance update - it's a luminous statement that BMW's motorsport future shines as bright as its past.
Learn more at www.bmw-m.com/motorsport.