We haven't even seen the BMW M8 in production form, but it's set to make its competition debut at January's Daytona 24 Hour fast approaching, and track testing is already underway. BMW just released these pictures of its new M8 GTE testing at Germany's Lausitzring, giving us a great preview of the M8 street car that's yet to debut. It looks damn good.

BMW factory driver Martin Tomczyk and DTM driver Maxime Martin spent three days at the Lausitzring testing the M8 GTE. Jens Marquardt, motorsport director for BMW, was also in attendance.

"In the first instance, the purpose of a test like this is obviously to get to know the car," said Marquardt in a statement. "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."

BMW

Tomczyk echoed his sentiments, noting that the team made meaningful progress in honing the M8 GTE's performance during its time at the track.



"I had great fun with the car," said Tomczyk. "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."

BMW plans on entering the M8 GTE in both the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech series, where it's set to replace the M6 GTE. As part of the WEC season, BMW will field the M8 GTE in the 24 Hours of Le Mans—its first factory effort there since 2011.

BMW

BMW hasn't confirmed any other details about the M8, but based on videos taken at the car's camouflaged debut, it seems to use V8 power. Seeing a version of BMW's familiar S63 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8—which will be used in the next M5—under the M8's hood wouldn't surprise us.

We won't have to wait long to find out, though. The M8 could possibly debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. If these pictures are any indication, we've got a lot to look forward to.

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