A lot has been said about the new BMW M5 and its rather hefty mass, but it’s already had its first public outing at a racetrack, premiering as the new Safety Car for MotoGP at the recent San Marino Grand Prix. For each of the past 26 seasons of the premier class of motorcycle racing, BMW has provided the safety cars and the M5 joins a long list of other BMW M products that have been used over the years. Other recent models used in MotoGP include the M2, M3 Touring, and for the first half of this season, the XM Label Red. Evidently, BMW is keen to show the world that even its heaviest creations are up to the task of leading the field.
BMW has adorned the exterior of the M5
Safety Car with a special livery inspired by the M Hybrid endurance race car.
Most of the body is finished in matte black, but there are areas of white,
blue, red, and purple. It looks mean as hell and those fat wheel arches are
super aggressive. The winner of this year’s BMW M Award will also win a new M5.
Each year, this award is given out to the MotoGP season’s best qualifier. This
competition has been run for more than 20 years, although this is just the
second time that an electrified M model is the top prize. Last year, Francesco
Bagnaia walked away with the keys to a new BMW XM Label Red after taking out
the top prize.
Powering the latest-generation M5 is a
4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that alone produces 577 hp between 5,600 – 6,500
rpm and 750 Nm of torque from as low as 1,800 rpm. Providing the
car with additional grunt is a hybrid system and electric motor, resulting in a
total of 717 hp and 1,000 Nm.
