Munich/Doha, 21st March 2016. Spearheaded by the new BMW M2 MotoGP
Safety Car, the official BMW M fleet made its first appearance of the
2016 MotoGP World Championship last weekend. This year marks BMW M’s
18th season as “Official Car of MotoGP”. BMW’s successful partnership
with MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports dates back to 1999. Since then, the
fleet of M models and M Performance models has helped to ensure that
race events run safely. The commitment of BMW M Division also features
numerous other activities, including the presentation of the coveted
BMW M Award. The 2016 MotoGP season kicked off at the weekend with the
Qatar Grand Prix at the “Losail International Circuit” in Doha.
This year’s new highlight from BMW M Division is the BMW M2 MotoGP
Safety Car. The new lead car is based on the BMW M2 Coupé (combined
fuel consumption with M DTC: 7.9 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 185
g/km), which enjoyed a high-profile world debut in Detroit in January.
In the BMW M factory in Garching, the production car was modified,
optimised and prepared by hand for its new role in MotoGP. As well as
exclusive tailor-made solutions and mandatory safety features, the
engineers at BMW M Division also equipped the Safety Car with
extensive BMW M Performance Parts. This not only gives the car an
eye-catching appearance, but also plays a practical role in the areas
of aerodynamics, cooling and lightweight design. Many of the M
Performance Parts, including the lowered thread chassis and exhaust
with flap system, are also available as retrofit components for the
BMW M2 Coupé.
With its distinct racing genes, the BMW M2 Coupé provided the ideal
basis for a MotoGP Safety Car. The new inline six-cylinder engine with
innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology and three-litre capacity
guarantees an extremely sporty performance. With a maximum output of
272 kW/370 hp and a maximum torque of 7,000 min-1, the extremely
rev-happy powertrain really makes its mark out on the track. The
intelligent, lightweight concept, low point of gravity and small,
unsprung weight are further trump cards, which help ensure the maximum
agility and dynamics of the high-performance coupé.
“We are proud to have been a part of this captivating world
championship for almost two decades,” said Frank van Meel, President
of BMW M Division. “We are pleased with the deep trust that Dorna
Sports has placed in us. In us, Dorna Sports knows it has a strong
partner on its side for who the safety of the riders on their
high-performance racing prototypes has the utmost priority. We
dedicate all of our know-how to this role. The BMW M MotoGP Safety
Cars are innovative high-performance models with thoroughbred racing
genes. In the 2016 season, we are presenting another genuine
highlight. In the BMW M2 MotoGP Safety Car, we are now taking the
purism of the new BMW M2 Coupé to the racetrack. We are looking
forward to an exciting 2016 season, which is also a special one for
our partner Dorna Sports. It is the 25th year, in which Dorna Sports
has been responsible for organising and marketing MotoGP. During this
period, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and his committed staff have
managed to establish the motorcycle world championship as the pinnacle
of two-wheeled motorsport, which holds millions of spectators around
the world under its spell and sets benchmarks in terms of technology
and safety. We would like to congratulate Dorna Sports on this anniversary.”
In the 2016 season, the fleet of official MotoGP vehicles includes a
total of six different BMW M and BMW M Performance models. Alongside
the new BMW M2 MotoGP Safety Car, the BMW M4 Coupé with water
injection and the BMW M3 will also be in action as safety cars. The
BMW X5 M and the BMW M550d xDrive Touring will be on track this season
as medical cars. BMW M Division will provide the safety officer with a
BMW M5. All vehicles were further optimised for their special use in
the motorcycle world championship in the BMW M factory. Two BMW S 1000
RRs, which BMW Motorrad provides as safety bikes, complete the 2016
safety vehicle fleet. More information is available online at: www.bmw-m-safetycar.com
Among the many other activities that make up BMW M Division’s
commitment to MotoGP is the BMW M Award, which will be presented for
the 14th time in 2016. This award is presented at the end of each
MotoGP season to the rider with the best overall result in qualifying.
The winner receives an exclusive BMW M car. The BMW M MotoGP
Experience sees guests of BMW M Division experience an unforgettable
race weekend. They are given an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes by
BMW M MotoGP experts Loris Capirossi and Alex Hofmann. Furthermore,
BMW M Division presents its latest models and products with on-site
campaigns on selected Grand Prix weekends.