BMW M8 GTE Race Car Sounds Really Strange
May 21 2018, BMW Aurora
BMW enthusiasts were excited to learn last week that BMW would be debuting a new luxury sports car at Le Mans. On June 15, 2018, the countdown to the 24-hour Le Mans race will provide the perfect opportunity for the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe.
In advance of that exciting day, the internet has caught fire today with people talking about the sound coming from BMW's new M8 GTE Race Car. It's the first time the engine can be heard in isolation. Listen for yourself here. Some writers have described this high-revving engine as a "BMW Thunderstorm". Jalopnik editor Raphael Orlove said it sounds like "V8 falling down a flight of stairs." It's no surprise that the best sounding GTE cars are naturally-aspirated. Unfortunately, only the Porsche 911 RSR and the soon departing Aston Martin V8 Vantage fit in that category these days.
Whatever your thoughts on the sound of this car, it has some serious power. The M8 engine is an evolution of the M6 GTE's 4.4-litre V8, downsized to 4.0 litres. BMW will race two M8 GTEs race cars at this year's Le Mans race. This will be the first time BMW has done so since 2011.
