The MotoGP is set to unveil its new Safety Car, the BMW M5 at the season finale in Valencia, Spain where it will spearhead the Safety Car fleet in the 2018 season.
It’s based on the outgoing BMW M5 which features the newly-developed “M xDrive”, an all-wheel drive system used in a M5 for the first time. At the heart of the BMW M5 is a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology with 600 hp and 750 Nm on the taps channeled to an 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox with Drivelogic.
As a result 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.4 seconds; a staggering result testament to the reduced weight contributed significantly by the lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic roof. So it all sounds pretty similar then, like an M5 slapped with some fancy decals.
But its enhancements are beyond skin deep and come in the form of special racing features and safety equipment. The front splitter on the M5 Safety Car is a prototype developed specifically for the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car.
The bonnet latches are taken directly from race cars while the standard M Sport seats are taken from a BMW M4 GTS to ensure maximum support and security of the occupants when going flat out on the track.
The flat light bar on the roof utilises LED technology and 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 BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car is inspired by the BMW M8 GTE race car which will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a design which reflects the close cooperation between the BMW M and BMW Motorsport division.
IMAGE GALLERY
