Nissan GT-R Production Halted After 18 Years

Nissan has ended production of the R35 GT-R after 18 years, with Stellantis paying $190.6 million in penalties for not meeting US fuel economy requirements. Mercedes-Benz is developing a new V8 engine despite its electric future plans, while BMW is shrinking the size of its kidney grilles on its race car due to aerodynamic drag. The fastest production EV now comes from China, with the BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition reaching 293.54 mph. Stellantis has shelved its Level 3 self-driving program due to cost and market viability concerns.

BMW is making significant changes to its M Hybrid V8 race car for the 2026 racing season, focusing on improving aerodynamic performance. The company has decided to reduce the size of the kidney grilles, a signature design element, to enhance cooling efficiency and consistency at different types of tracks [1]. This move comes as BMW seeks to bolster its performance in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where it has had mixed results. The M Hybrid V8, which has been competing since 2023 in IMSA and since 2024 in WEC, has shown promise but has yet to achieve consistent top-tier results, particularly at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The M Hybrid V8 features a bespoke racing V-8 engine from BMW paired with a spec LMDh hybrid system from Bosch, XTrac, and Fortescue Zero. It competes against other LMDh cars from Acura, Alpine, Cadillac, and Porsche, as well as Le Mans Hypercars from Ferrari and Toyota. BMW is also exploring a potential change in its US motorsports partnership, with WRT racing potentially taking over from Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) racing in America.

While the kidney grilles will be reduced in size, they will still be illuminated around the perimeter, ensuring that the M Hybrid V8 remains recognizable. This design change aims to improve the car's aerodynamic performance, which is crucial for its success in high-speed and endurance racing events.

References:
[1] https://www.motor1.com/news/770160/bmw-m-hybrid-v8-2026/