BMW M has supplied the official MotoGP Safety Car
fleet since 1999, and here’s its latest lead car for the top tier motorcycle
racing championship – the BMW M8 MotoGP Safety Car. Based on the BMW M8
Competition that made its debut at the end of June, the new safety car made its
first appearance last weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The M8 Competition comes with the most powerful
engine ever developed for a BMW M car. Like the standard M8, it’s powered by
the S63 4.4 litre twin-turbocharged V8, but Comp spec means 625 hp (vs 600 hp)
and 750 Nm of torque between 1,800 and 5,800 rpm (vs 5,600 rpm peak). Paired
with an eight-speed auto and xDrive AWD, it does 0-100 km/h in just 3.2
seconds, a tenth faster than the standard M8. With the M Driver’s Package, top
speed is 305 km/h.
In addition, the MotoGP safety car wears the full
catalogue of BMW M Performance Parts, many of which are available as retrofit
parts for the road car. Goodies thrown in include a titanium sport exhaust
system, carbon tail pipe finisher, floor mats, carbon engine cover, carbon rear
diffuser, the M Performance steering wheel pro (with carbon cover and shift
paddles), carbon air breather side grille, carbon side skirts and decals.
The transformation also includes necessary racing
and safety equipment, as this car has a job to do. BMW M has fitted a bonnet
with ‘motorsport lock’, fuel suction pump, battery master switch, flashing
corona headlight rings, LED roof lights, front grille LED flasher, Recaro race
seats with Schroth belts, roll cage, fire extinguisher, Michelin Cup tyres and
a rear wing from the M8 GTE race car. The cabin has a special light control
panel.
