BMW M8 GTE breaks cover

BMW Motorsport has released pictures of its 2018 M8 GTE, taken at a recent three-day test at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany.

Driving the car, which is set to race in the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, were BMW works drivers Martin Tomczyk and Maxime Martin.

BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt was also in attendance to oversee the test.

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"To see the BMW M8 GTE on the racetrack makes me very proud," said Marquardt. "Everyone involved has done a magnificent job in recent months to allow us to reach this milestone in the development of our new flagship for the GT racing scene."

"In the first instance, the purpose of a test like this is obviously to get to know the car. In this regard, greater emphasis is placed on the safety aspect than performance. However, the first impression of the BMW M8 GTE out on the track is a very positive one."

Prior to its competitive debut next year, the M8 GTE will undergo further testing at multiple circuits in both Europe and North America.

"Firstly, I feel very honored to have been able to drive at the first real test of the BMW M8 GTE on the racetrack," said Tomczyk.

"I had great fun with the car. The BMW M8 GTE is good to drive from the outset, and it is easy for us drivers to work out the way it handles, which is important. We got a lot of kilometres under our belt, and gathered a lot of data. We also took our first steps with regard to performance, which is by no means a given at a first test.

"We will obviously work more intensively on that at the coming tests, and will build on the strong basis we established here at the Lausitzring."