The BMW M6 GTLM is an endurance grand tourer (GT) car constructed by the German automobile manufacturer BMW. The car was announced to be under development, through a press release in October 2015, following the announcement and unveiling of the BMW M6 GT3,[3] although few of the car's technical specifications were revealed.[4] The car was based on the BMW M6 GT3, and the car had its initial shakedown and testing conducted by BMW Team RLL, at the Sebring International Raceway, in Florida, during early November 2015.[5] The car had its race debut at the 2016 24 Hours of Daytona with BMW Team RLL.

BMW M6 GTLM
BMW M6 GTLM, Art Car
CategoryGT Endurance (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GTLM
ConstructorBMW
PredecessorBMW Z4 GTE
SuccessorBMW M8 GTE
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisSteel chassis with safety roll cage
Suspension (front)Pushrod with double wishbones coupled with ZF Sachs dampers
Suspension (rear)Same as front
Length4,944 mm (195 in) excluding rear wing
Width2,046 mm (81 in)
Height1,212 mm (48 in)
Wheelbase2,910 mm (115 in)
EngineBMW S63B44 4,395 cc (268 cu in) 90° V8 twin-turbocharged, front engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionXtrac[2] 6-speed sequential semi-automatic paddle-shift
Power580 PS (427 kW; 572 hp) at 7,000 rpm (estimated)
Weight1,250 kg (2,756 lb) including driver
FuelVP Racing Fuels
LubricantsPennzoil
BrakesAP Racing carbon brake discs with 6-piston calipers and pads
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsUnited States BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Notable driversUnited States Bill Auberlen
Germany Dirk Werner
Canada Bruno Spengler
Brazil Augusto Farfus
United States John Edwards
Germany Lucas Luhr
Canada Kuno Wittmer
United States Graham Rahal
Germany Martin Tomczyk
Netherlands Nicky Catsburg
United Kingdom Alexander Sims
Debut2016 24 Hours of Daytona
First win2017 6 Hours of The Glen
Last win2017 Petit Le Mans
Last event2017 Petit Le Mans
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
2241134
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Development

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The BMW M6 GTLM was built and developed by BMW Motorsport in Germany, the new-generation GT contender marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the Z4 GTE, both in appearance and performance, with virtually zero carryover between the two cars. The car featured a significantly greater wheelbase, at 2910mm for the M6, compared to the 2512mm wheelbase of the Z4, increasing its stability.[6] The car was a development of the BMW M6 GT3, with the key differences between the GT3 and GTLM versions of the car being the rear wing and brakes, as well as some electronics.[7] The BMW M6 GTLM would be eligible for competition in only the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.[8]

Competition history

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Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

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(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
2016   BMW Team RLL GTLM   Bill Auberlen
  Dirk Werner
  Bruno Spengler
  Augusto Farfus
25 All
All
1-2
1, 12
DAY
5
SEB
2
LBH
5
LGA
9
WGL
3
MOS
4
LIM
7
ELK
8
VIR
5
COA
4
PET
9
7th 298
  John Edwards
  Lucas Luhr
  Kuno Wittmer
  Graham Rahal
100 All
All
1-2, 12
1
DAY
11
SEB
6
LBH
10
LGA
10
WGL
8
MOS
9
LIM
9
ELK
3
VIR
8
COA
7
PET
6
9th 267
2017   BMW Team RLL GTLM   John Edwards
  Martin Tomczyk
  Nicky Catsburg
  Kuno Wittmer
24 All
All
1-2
1, 12
DAY
11
SEB
9
LBH
7
COA
3
WGL
8
MOS
2
LIM
3
ELK
7
VIR
9
LGA
1
PET
9
7th 284
  Bill Auberlen
  Alexander Sims
  Augusto Farfus
  Bruno Spengler
  Kuno Wittmer
  Nicky Catsburg
25 All
All
1
1
2
12
DAY
8
SEB
6
LBH
4
COA
2
WGL
1
MOS
1
LIM
6
ELK
6
VIR
4
LGA
7
PET
1
2nd 317
Sources:[9][10][11]


References

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  1. ^ "BMW M6 GTLM Technical Specifications". 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  2. ^ Schrader, Stef (28 January 2018). "All of The Cool Little Details On The BMW M8 GTE That Debuted At Daytona". Jalopnik. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  3. ^ "BMW M6 GTLM with BMW Team RLL to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship". BMW BLOG. 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  4. ^ Anderson, Brad (2015-10-03). "BMW Developing M6 GTLM". GTspirit. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  5. ^ "BMW M6 GTLM already looking mean ahead of Daytona debut". Autoblog. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  6. ^ Dagys, John. "Inside the BMW M6 GTLM – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  7. ^ Dagys, John. "BMW M6 GTLM Breaks Cover – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  8. ^ Sam (2016-06-16). "The cars you won't see at Le Mans in 2016 - Page 6 of 7". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  9. ^ "Complete Archive of BMW M6 F13 GTLM". Racing Sports Cars. pp. 1, 2. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  10. ^ "2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Point Standings" (PDF). Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  11. ^ "2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Point Standings" (PDF). Retrieved 6 March 2024.
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