Sport Auto article on BMW GT2 Study

[SteveT]

The January, 08 issue of Sport Auto has an article that talks about a study that BMW has done regarding the value of GT2 and in particular the US market. The article seems to say that BMW will make an announcement at the Detroit Auto Show regarding a GT2 version of the new M3 and plans for the coming year and beyond. Along with this, the article includes Audi's interest in racing the R8. It talks about both companies efforts in motor racing in F1 and Sports Cars and that successes there are not seen to have as much impact as racing at the GT level in ALMS. My German isn't so great, but it's pretty clear that this is the subject of the article.

Anybody heard anything about this?

[Olly]

The article states that BMW will show a GT2 concept car at Detroit. It’s only a concept car and not a full bread GT2 car. This car could appear in the ALMS GT2 as early as 2009 but it’s not decided yet if BMW will race it. So an announcement in Detroit about future BMW GT2 plans seams to be highly unlikely. BMW has a big interest in racing in the ALMS as they feel their image in the US is not like in Europe and they need to show US customers they built cars which are able to compete with the likes of Porsche and Ferrari.

Audi has currently no intention to race the R8. There are some privateer efforts on its way at moment, like the Creventic CR8 for the 24h Dubai or the “Sport Auto” R8 for the 24h of the Nürburgring, both cars built more less to GT3 Regulation. Audi doesn’t support these projects, but they tolerate them.

Though it’s not impossible that a GT2 R8 could appear with the new GT rules. Hans Reiter is thinking about developing a GT2 Gallardo on base of his current very successful GT3 car for the new GT regulations. Considering the base of Gallardo and the R8 is the same, there could also be a GT2 R8, or at a later date, even a GT1.

Off topic: Alpina, a BMW tuner which has manufacturer status and very close links to BMW is currently developing a GT3 car based on the 6 series. It’s destined to race in the FIA GT3 championship and also in the Germans GT3 series, the ADAC GT Masters.

[SteveT]

Thanks, for your thoughts on it. My German is not so good that I might miss the implications. Although a concept car from BMW would be a step in the right direction. It was my impression though that they are also saying that Audi suffers from the same market perception in the US and has come to the conclusion that they should race the R8. We'll what is said.

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by Olly

The article states that BMW will show a GT2 concept car at Detroit. It’s only a concept car and not a full bread GT2 car. This car could appear in the ALMS GT2 as early as 2009 but it’s not decided yet if BMW will race it. So an announcement in Detroit about future BMW GT2 plans seams to be highly unlikely. BMW has a big interest in racing in the ALMS as they feel their image in the US is not like in Europe and they need to show US customers they built cars which are able to compete with the likes of Porsche and Ferrari.

You also have to remember though that BMW uses the word "Concept" very loosely. Whenever a new M car comes out, it's shown at some auto show virtually road ready, aside for having an extravagant paint job and it'll be called the "New M3 Concept" or something, when in reality, it's the production car with fancy paint. This could be the case here as well.

[Hallen]

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

You also have to remember though that BMW uses the word "Concept" very loosely. Whenever a new M car comes out, it's shown at some auto show virtually road ready, aside for having an extravagant paint job and it'll be called the "New M3 Concept" or something, when in reality, it's the production car with fancy paint. This could be the case here as well.

True, the M concept cars are usually very, very close to a production version. However, since this is coming so late in the year, it is doubtful that it could be raced in 2008 even if it were a nearly finished product.

I don't know why Alpina would want to use the 6 series for a GT3 car. Maybe it is BMW wanting them to do it to try and bolster sales for the big coupe. The problem is, it is a BIG coupe. It is heavy and pretty big. My impression is it would be a bit like the R10, nice handling on longer, faster European tracks, but pretty sucky on any tighter track. The power potential is there, but I expect the extra weight will cause it to be a marginal performer unless they can work the rules to their advantage.

I would rather see them do something with the Z4 Coupe. It's hamstring is that it has a straight six engine with no option for a V8, even in the M variant, and it weighs about the same as the 3 series. It sounds like the rules have changed some though and maybe it would be possible to drop a v8 into the Z4 Coupe. But again, somebody would have to have that about done by now to have any hope of racing in 08.

BMW seems to be a bit in-between with their cars right now. They just don't have anything really ready to go that fits nicely with the ALMS. The 1 series looks good initially, until you realize that it weighs more than my current E46 3 series. It has enough engine with the twin turbo charger that it makes up for the weight in acceleration but that is only part of the picture.

Ah well, I will just keep hoping for something.

[tobinsmith]

GT2 is alright but start working on a P1 and the whole world will take notice.

[WMUCarGuy]

BMW just released a press release about everything they'll have at NAIAS, and it mentioned nothing of this "GT2 Concept" or a concept car of any kind...

[johnlemans]

This is interesting; Leaked: Audi R8 V12 TDI Study for Detroit

A race version would fit into the new GT1 regs and allow the Lambo to compete in GT2.

[WMUCarGuy]

Well, BMW's time on the stage for unveilings has come and gone and no "GT2 Cocept" was there. Bummer.

[SteveT]

Yeah, agreed. Nothing so far anyway.