So the M4 passes the baton. There’ll be a new safety car for the 2016 MotoGP season, and it’s none other than the BMW M2 coupe. In continuing the relationship between the world’s most premier motorcycle race series and BMW that dates back to 1999, the new M2 coupe joins its M3 and M4 siblings rounding the globe during this 18-leg season.
The M2 in question here is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine which unleashes 370 hp at 6,500 rpm and 465 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 5,560 rpm. The M2 is undoubtedly a performer too, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds while its top speed is limited to 250 km/h. It’s still fine considering that the safety car is not supposed to chase Valentino Rossi and his fearless rivals.
This M2 has been given additional work from BMW’s M Division, apart from its classic liveries and bronze trims. To start, most of its interior parts have been taken away, not for weight reduction but really, you don’t need rear passenger seats and carpets in a safety car. Instead, a big roll cage and six-point harnesses were installed, together with two Recaro bucket seats.
It also receives new aero parts; the front gets modified lightweight front skirt integrated with a splitter. An adjustable, carbon fibre reinforced plastic rear wing has been included for improved downforce.
While the engine remains untouched, BMW fits its M Performance exhaust system and intake, while stopping power is courtesy from carbon-ceramic brake rotor kit. Handling capabilities have been boosted with M Performance coilover suspension and Michelin Cup tyres.
The car is a playground for the Bavarian to fit BMW M Performance Parts, although the LED roof lights won’t be included in their catalogue. It took ten weeks to turn a standard M2 into a car policing the MotoGP riders on race tracks.
The BMW M2 MotoGP safety car will begin its duties when the first race begins in Qatar on 20 March. We’ll need to wait until the end of October to witness just how loud this bespoke M2 actually is when the MotoGP circus arrives in Sepang.
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