BMW rumour for Le Mans 2017

LC2guy · 19 May 2015, 15:10 (Ref:3539340)

Just seen this. Would be great.

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...mp1-programme/

GT6 · 19 May 2015, 15:29 (Ref:3539349)

It makes sense for them to try LMP1 rather than F1 has it likes to compete against the other german manufacturers and its products fall between Audi and porsche

deggis · 19 May 2015, 15:46 (Ref:3539352)

Maybe deserves its own thread but was discussed earlier:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...88#post3538988

GriffM3 · 19 May 2015, 17:49 (Ref:3539395)

I hope this is true, it would be so awesome to BMW back with an LMP programme and might spur Mercedes to consider it as well with audi and BMW in the fray. How awesome would it be for Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota and Nissan to be battling it out? Gives me chills thinking about the possibilities.

Beetle · 19 May 2015, 17:58 (Ref:3539398)

If Audi does indeed drop out of LMP1 (sorry!), this would certainly be a good replacement. We'll see how this pans out.

GT6 · 19 May 2015, 19:20 (Ref:3539423)

i think it is more likely to make Audi stay

Starfish Primer · 19 May 2015, 19:55 (Ref:3539433)

Fingers crossed in case someone drops.

Simmi · 19 May 2015, 20:01 (Ref:3539436)

If this came off it would be incredible. As mentioned elsewhere a similar route to Nissan could be beneficial and if the ACO can get the rules right it could lure them in.

Balancing all that would be difficult, but adding BMW to what we've already got is beyond my wildest dreams.

GT3.14 · 19 May 2015, 22:19 (Ref:3539473)

With MB and Audi doing so well in motor racing BMW really should do something to get noticed and P1 is certainly the best option for them. Considering they actually make carbon tub hybrid road cars, they fit the model for P1 more than any of the other brands there.

Meanwhile Jaguar refuses to race a GT3 F-Type when there is a GT3 version of all of it's rivals. Putting a bunch of celebs in the Mille Miglia year after year is growing tiresome. Hard to watch a brand with such pedigree throwing everything away.

Having BMW in P1 would be amazing.

MagVanisher · 20 May 2015, 05:34 (Ref:3539535)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3.14

With MB and Audi doing so well in motor racing BMW really should do something to get noticed and P1 is certainly the best option for them. Considering they actually make carbon tub hybrid road cars, they fit the model for P1 more than any of the other brands there.

Meanwhile Jaguar refuses to race a GT3 F-Type when there is a GT3 version of all of it's rivals. Putting a bunch of celebs in the Mille Miglia year after year is growing tiresome. Hard to watch a brand with such pedigree throwing everything away.

Having BMW in P1 would be amazing.

It's the Tata Group's fault for not bringing Jaguar back to racing. But that's another story...

While I'm excited to see BMW return in LMP1, the question is how to make a competitive car? It's either going with the same (and boring) proven route or pursue a different approach like Nissan.

If BMW want to go for the latter, it'll have to make it distinctive from the rest of the pack!

cokata · 20 May 2015, 06:13 (Ref:3539544)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

It's the Tata Group's fault for not bringing Jaguar back to racing. But that's another story...

While I'm excited to see BMW return in LMP1, the question is how to make a competitive car? It's either going with the same (and boring) proven route or pursue a different approach like Nissan.

If BMW want to go for the latter, it'll have to make it distinctive from the rest of the pack!

What?!? The cars are a lot more different compared to each other then in F1 for example. Also every cars has it's own unique engine and hybrid architecture.

TF110 · 20 May 2015, 06:30 (Ref:3539547)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

It's the Tata Group's fault for not bringing Jaguar back to racing. But that's another story...

While I'm excited to see BMW return in LMP1, the question is how to make a competitive car? It's either going with the same (and boring) proven route or pursue a different approach like Nissan.

If BMW want to go for the latter, it'll have to make it distinctive from the rest of the pack!

All 3 current factory cars are mid engine part-time 4wd, but far from boring. If they want to be different, going fwd or front engine would be following Nissan. So if there is something they wish to pioneer, they need the blessings from the rule makers. Thats probably what he meant in this quote

Quote:

I don’t think we need to follow what everyone does. The WEC is still following and what we need to figure out is a new path that suits BMW, like with ‘i’.

Sounds like he wants rules to change so they could do something unique that would be recognizable to their 'i' brand.

MagVanisher · 20 May 2015, 07:13 (Ref:3539552)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cokata

What?!? The cars are a lot more different compared to each other then in F1 for example. Also every cars has it's own unique engine and hybrid architecture.

I know that they're different as far as the drive-train and hybrid technology goes. But for the untrained eye (barring the different-colored liveries), all 3 current manufacturers barring Nissan have fielded mid-engined LMP1 cars.

Like I said, I'll applaud BMW if they tackle Le Mans differently other than going conventional. If they want to put the engine (or a big electric motor/battery) beside the driver, I'm fine with that!

Akrapovic · 20 May 2015, 07:22 (Ref:3539557)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

I know that they're different as far as the drive-train and hybrid technology goes. But for the untrained eye (barring the different-colored liveries), all 3 current manufacturers barring Nissan have fielded mid-engined LMP1 cars.

In 1999, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and Audi were all mid engined rear drive and nobody complained it was all the same and boring. We must have riduclously high standards if we're complaining that 4 different engine layouts, 2 different aspiration types, 2 different fuel types and 4 different hybrid system is boring.

schmidder · 20 May 2015, 13:53 (Ref:3539653)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

In 1999, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and Audi were all mid engined rear drive and nobody complained it was all the same and boring. We must have riduclously high standards if we're complaining that 4 different engine layouts, 2 different aspiration types, 2 different fuel types and 4 different hybrid system is boring.

+1