BMW has just revealed plans to expand its presence in the global motorsport scene by joining a new racing series by the end of the decade. The German automaker also confirmed its partnership with Andretti Autosport for Formula E, but more importantly, it said it will built a GT-spec car for the FIA World Endurance and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championships, which means a return to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

The decision comes seven years after BMW's withdrawal from Formula One and four years afters its successful return to the DTM. By joining the new series, the German automaker will basically race in every important competition running in Europe and the United States, except Formula One. Munich also stated that it plans to further build on its presence in DTM and Dakar Rally, as well as continue to run its customer racing program in the GT3 and GT4 categories.

As for the new GT car that will mark the company's first return at Le Mans since 2011, when BMW Motorsport raced the M3 GT2 in the LM-GTE Pro class, the German carmaker said it will arrive just in time for the 2018 season. Details are scant, but chances are BMW isn't planning to develop a hybrid prototype, but a LM GTE racer that would go against the Ford GT, Ferrari 488 GTE, and Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.

"Starting with the 2018 season, we want to further expand our activities in GT racing and compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This obviously also includes our return to Le Mans, which we are particularly looking forward to. The way the WEC has developed so well makes us confident that there is a big future for GT racing," said BMW Motorsport Director, Jens Marquardt.

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Why it matters

BMW's return to GT-spec racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is arguably the biggest motorsport-related news of the 2016 and the biggest since Porsche came back to Circuit de la Sarthe with the 919 Hybrid. BMW is arguably one of the most legendary names of motorsport, and even though it has just one overall win at Le Mans -- achieved in 1999 with the V12 LMR -- its return to endurance racing with a specifically-developed GT car will definitely make the series more interesting. As for the actual reason why BMW wants to race GT cars again, the German brand aims to "become even more visible for urban and young customers," as well as emphasize on the fact that BMW and motorsport "belong together." With the Munich-based brand involved in motorsport since the 1920s, there's no need for a GT car to prove it, but the company's involvement in endurance racing is exciting news to say the least.