The new safety car BMW M8 MotoGP Safety Car based on the BMW M8 Competition was presented during the Grand Prix weekend at the Red Bull Ring, Austria, last weekend.
BMW M GmbH presented the new spearhead of the MotoGP™ Safety Car fleet: the BMW M8 MotoGP™ Safety Car. The 625 hp car is based on the BMW M8 Competition, which made its world premiere at the BMW Group #NextGen at BMW Welt in Munich at the end of June.
Innovative high-performance cars for top-level motorcycle safety - this is the principle that has guided BMW M GmbH for more than 20 years as a partner of MotoGP™ organizer Dorna Sports and "Official Car of MotoGP". The Munich-based company has been supplying the official MotoGP™ Safety Car fleet since 1999 and the BMW M8 MotoGP Safety Car is the latest in a long line of high-horsepower cars.
Markus Flasch, President of BMW M GmbH: “ The BMW M8 and BMW M8 GTE were developed in parallel, and these racing genes set the BMW M8 models apart in all areas. That's why it made sense for us to choose the BMW M8 Competition as the basis for our new MotoGP safety car. Even in its production version, this performance car is suitable for the circuit. With its innovative technical characteristics, it is a new example of our desire to always push the limits further. With the BMW M8 MotoGP Safety Car, we are very pleased to present a new and powerful leading car for the top level of motorcycle racing.”
Paul Serracanta, general manager of Dorna Sports: “ We are delighted to welcome the new BMW M8 Safety Car to MotoGP and to see it on track for the first time. Our relationship with BMW goes back many years and we are very proud to have such a prestigious brand for the official MotoGP car.”
Under the hood lies the most powerful engine ever developed for a BMW M GmbH car. The high-revving V8 with M TwinPower Turbo technology develops 460 kW/625 hp. The engine is mated to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, and the engine's power is channeled to the road via the M xDrive four-wheel drive system. One of the most striking features is the new integrated braking system, an M-specific version of which presents the driver with two different brake pedal feel settings.
The precise interaction between the powertrain, chassis technology and aerodynamics was carefully refined during intensive testing at the BMW Group circuit near Miramas in the south of France, at the winter testing center in Arjeplog in Sweden and on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, among other circuits. The experience gained during the development of the BMW M8 GTE racing car also played a role in the configuration process. The performance character of the engine, transmission and chassis allows the new BMW M8 Competition to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3,2 seconds.
Built manually.
Meticulous handwork at the BMW M Manufaktur in Garching transformed the high-performance base car into the BMW M8 MotoGP™ Safety Car, preparing it to emerge as the intervention car in the world's fastest motorcycle racing category.
This process included the addition of numerous BMW M performance parts, several of which are available as aftermarket parts for the production model BMW M8. They underline the sporty appearance of the Safety Car and meet all functional requirements in terms of aerodynamics, cooling and lightweight construction.
Highlights include the BMW M Performance titanium sports exhaust system* and BMW M Performance Parts carbon parts, such as the exhaust trims*, engine cover, rear diffuser and side skirts.
To complete the transformation of the BMW M8 Competition into a MotoGP™ Safety Car, special racing and safety functions were also installed. These include a hood with 'motorsport lock', custom carbon shutters and the rear wing of the BMW M8 GTE.
The Safety Car is also illuminated by headlight flashing rings, LED roof lights with bracket and a front grille LED indicator.
Modifications for the BMW M8 MotoGP™ Safety Car:
BMW M Performance sports exhaust system in titanium*
BMW M Carbon Performance tailpipe trim*
BMW M Performance floor mats
BMW M Performance Carbon Engine Cover
BMW M Carbon Performance rear diffuser
BMW M Performance steering wheel pro (with M Performance carbon cover and M Performance shift paddles)
BMW M BMW M Performance carbon air vent with side breather
BMW M Performance side skirts in carbon
BMW M Performance Logo Decals
Hood with 'motorsport lock'.
Fuel suction pump
Battery circuit breaker
Corona flashing headlight rings
LED Roof Lights with Bracket
Front grille LED indicator
RECARO racing seats with Schroth belts
Rollbar
Fire extinguisher with support
Michelin Coupe tires
Red grille for the “kidneys”
Front spoiler with black paint finish
BMW hub cover
BMW valve covers with M logo
Rear spoiler BMW M8 GTE
Black side skirts
MotoGP decoration
Custom carbon shutters
Lighting control panel
*Not available in Europe
