This is the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car, the laboratory for the future Competition version

In the world of competition, technology, customs, manners and even riders and brands change, appear and disappear almost as quickly as the prototypes race across the asphalt of the circuits. But if we look at some very important elements of racing, specifically support vehicles, any fan will quickly associate Mercedes with Formula 1 and BMW with MotoGP, both with several years of association behind them.

In the case of MotoGP, BMW will celebrate during this 2018 season no less than 20 years of partnership with the top class of motorcycle racing, during which they have put their best models on the asphalt, the perfect showcase for their range of M models. This weekend a new MotoGP season will begin, at the Losail circuit in Qatar, where we will also see the new BMW M5 acting as Safety Car.

This BMW M5 Safety Car is similar to the production model, but differs in several details, since although it may look like a simple showcase for the brand, this M5 has a function for BMW. The heart under the bonnet is the same as the one fitted as standard, a 4,400 cc V8 with TwinTurbo technology that delivers a power output of 600 CV and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, power that is transmitted to the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, used for the first time in the history of this sports saloon. It also features the new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and a chassis with M specifications.

In terms of styling is where we find several differences, and I am not referring to the LED lights typical of a Safety Car, but to the aerodynamic package with M Performance parts, some of them created specifically for this model, taking the BMW M8 GTE as a reference. Thus we have numerous parts developed in carbon fibre to reduce weight, such as the side skirts, the front lower lip with air intakes, the front grille, the roof, the diffuser and rear spoiler, or the side gills. Inside we find a safety cage, as well as the Recaro-signed bucket seats inherited from the M4 GTS.

But as I was telling you, all these improvements, and some that surely they will not tell us about, are not a mere visual addition. In the words of Frank van Meel, president of BMW M, racing in MotoGP offers them the perfect place to test new parts and developments on their high-performance vehicles, and from this BMW M5 Safety Car they will take advantage of the data gathered to develop the future BMW M5 Competition that will see the light this same year.

Finally, it should be noted that alongside this BMW M5 we will see other models from the M division acting as Safety Cars, such as the M3, a M6 Gran Coupé, an M4 and an M2 for the Safety Officer and the Race Director, in addition to two BMW S 1000 RR motorcycles that close the group of safety vehicles. For the medical team, an BMW X5 M is provided.