BMW
hasn’t competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since
1999, when its V12 LMR secured the first and only overall victory for the
German automaker in the prestigious race. Now, BMW might be planning a
comeback, though the goal this time isn’t thought to be competing with the
likes of Nissan
, Porsche and Toyota at the top level of endurance racing.
Rather, Autocar reports,
BMW may build a radical hydrogen fuel cell racer that could compete in the
event’s standalone ‘Garage 56’ category for experiment vehicles, which Nissan
used last year for its ZEOD
RC plug-in hybrid. The year of competition BMW is said to be aiming for is
2018.
The thinking behind the move is said to be the marketing
potential for fuel cell tech the participation could bring about, as BMW is committed
to bringing a fuel cell vehicle to market around 2020 and is currently
developing the technology in partnership with Toyota. Toyota, of course,
already races at Le Mans in the top LMP1 category and the Japanese automaker
has just unveiled its own fuel cell vehicle in the form of the
2016 Mirai.
There have been rumors of a BMW return to top level
endurance racing, though the high-cost of developing an LMP1 program as well as
the high bar set by rivals may be too much for BMW, whose focus in motorsport
appears to have subsided since the decision was made to pull out of Formula
One
at the end
of the 2009 season. The Garage 56 entry, then, appears to make the most
sense, especially as BMW gears up to introduce a fuel cell vehicle.
Not much is known about BMW’s plans for a fuel cell vehicle.
The automaker is thought to be testing a prototype drivetrain in a 5-Series
Gran Turismo, but any production fuel cell vehicle
from BMW will likely be grouped in the automaker’s i sub-brand for eco-focused
models.
Note, BMW isn't the only automaker considering a Le Mans
return. The Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] and McLaren are both tipped to be
returning to Le Mans with programs based around their respective GT and 650S
supercars.
source: MotorAuthority
by Viknesh Vijayethiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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