BMW has rolled out a thorough refresh of its M Hybrid V8 prototype for the 2026 season. The updated car made its first appearance during IMSA testing at Daytona, arriving with a body that’s nearly half new, reworked aerodynamics, and a front end that has been heavily reshaped.

The most obvious change is the lighting. The prototype now uses two rectangular LED modules at the outer edges, yellow slanted light strips, and a newly styled front fascia. The upgraded optics are designed to improve visibility during night running in endurance events and make the car easier to pick out in traffic. An updated splitter and a redesigned nose also aim to clean up airflow and bolster stability at high speeds.

Drivers report that the changes are more than skin deep. Philipp Eng said the new configuration delivers handling that feels more predictable and more stable—crucial in IMSA, where the perfect line isn’t always available. The tweaks come across as a push toward consistency and confidence, the kind of refinement that tends to matter most over long stints.

There’s another variable in play: the 2026 Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance tires, which require teams to rethink their setups from the ground up. According to Dries Vanthoor, the car feels different on the new rubber but retains its familiar character. The package reads like a maturity update—measured, purposeful, and aimed at making the car easier to live with in the heat of endurance racing.