- Course car in the next MotoGP season will be based on the new BMW M5.
- Optimised driving dynamics: first Safety Car with innovative M
xDrive technology. - Debut at the 2017 MotoGP season finale in Valencia.
Munich. Innovative high-performance cars for safety at the highest
level of motorcycle racing: the BMW M GmbH has remained true to this
principle throughout nearly 20 years of partnership with the MotoGP
organizer Dorna Sports, and as the “Official Car of MotoGP”. That is
especially true of the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car, which the company
from Munich is presenting as the next highlight in the Safety Car
fleet. The new course car is based on the high-performance sedan BMW
M5 (combined consumption: 10.5 l/100 km*; combined CO2 emissions:
241 g/km*), which was showcased to the global public for the first
time in August. The new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car will debut at the
MotoGP season finale in Valencia, Spain (10th to
12th November) and will speerhead the Safety Car fleet in
the 2018 season.
“A MotoGP Safety Car faces enormous challenges. It is vital to lead a
field of unique, high-performance race prototypes safely through all
sorts of conditions,” said Frank van Meel, President of BMW M GmbH.
“Innovative motorsport technology is an essential part of this. The
new BMW M5 forms the perfect basis for a safety car, as its technical
features ensure perfect handling, even at the limits of driving
dynamics – on the road and on the racetrack. Development never stands
still in MotoGP, which is always pushing its limits further and
further. The same is true for the BMW M GmbH – and the new M5 MotoGP
Safety Car is an outstanding example of our pursuit of innovation and
maximum levels of performance.”
The features in question include the newly-developed M-specific
all-wheel drive M xDrive, which is being used in the BMW M5 for the
first time. With precise handling and perfect traction, this
guarantees optimised driving dynamics in all manner of situations. The
heart of the BMW M5, the 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo
technology, has been completely overhauled by the M engineers. It
represents another significant increase in performance compared to
previous models, with 441 kW/600 HP and maximum torque of 750 Nm in
the production M5. The new BMW M5 only needs 3.4 seconds to accelerate
from 0 to 100 km/h. Transmission is provided by the new eight-speed M
Steptronic gearbox with Drivelogic. The chassis contains M-specific
kinematics and elastokinematics elements that contribute to optimised
driving dynamics. The weight also plays an important role in
performance. This has been reduced further through features such as
the lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof.
Painstaking manual work at the BMW M Manufaktur in Garching converted
the high-performance base car into the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car,
preparing it to appear as the course car in the world’s fastest
motorcycle racing series. This process included the addition of
numerous BMW M Performance Parts, many of which are available as
retrofit parts for the BMW M5 production model. These emphasise the
sporty appearance of the Safety Car and meet all the functional
requirements for aerodynamics, cooling and lightweight construction.
These include various carbon components such as side sills, rear
diffusor, rear spoiler, front kidney grille, door mirror caps and air
breather slats. The BMW M Performance sport exhaust system is made of
titanium, with carbon exhaust tips, and has been designed specially
for use on the racetrack.
The transformation of the BMW M5 to a MotoGP Safety Car was completed
by the inclusion of special racing features and the necessary safety
equipment. The front splitter is a prototype developed specifically
for the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car. The bonnet latches are taken
directly from racing. The bucket seats from the BMW M4 GTS guarantee a
combination of comfort and maximum security for their occupants when
being in action on the racetrack. The flat light bar on the roof uses
modern LED technology. It is controlled via a specially-developed
cockpit panel. Another important signalling system is provided by the
flashing front lights, consisting of blue LED lamps in the front
grills and flashing corona rings for the headlamps.
The design of the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Cars also makes a clear
racing statement: it is inspired by the design of the new BMW M8 GTE
race car, which will compete for BMW at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next
year. Series developers from BMW M and the BMW Motorsport department
worked hand in hand on development of the BMW M8 GTE. The design
reflects this close cooperation.
The partnership between the BMW M GmbH and Dorna Sports dates back to
1999. The provision of the BMW M fleet is the core of the involvement
as “Official Car of MotoGP”. There are also a host of other
activities. The BMW M Award for the best MotoGP qualifier has been
presented at the end of every season since 2003. The BMW M MotoGP
Experience gives visitors the chance to experience the MotoGP at first
hand. The BMW M MotoGP experts give them exclusive insights. On
selected Grand Prix weekends, the BMW M GmbH presents its newest
models and products in on-site actions.
Further information on BMW M GmbH is available online at: