BMW has just unveiled its new M5, and it goes straight onto the track as the MotoGP Safety Car for the remainder of the 2024 season.
BMW took advantage of the Red Bull MotoGP Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera to send its latest major new product onto the track: the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Cara model that will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the drivers until the end of the season.
The BMW M5 MotoGP was officially unveiled in Milan, in the presence of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, a nine-time MotoGP world champion who has been racing in a BMW M4 GT3 since 2023.
The BMW M5 in a few figures
Developed from the BMW M5, first revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last July, the BMW M5 MotoGP replaces the BMW XM Label Red in its role as Safety Car. Under the hood, it receives a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 combined with an electric block for a total power of 727 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque. Transmission is provided by an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive.
The electric motor is powered by an 18.6 kWh battery, which will allow driving for 60 km in all-electric mode according to the WLTP cycle. When empty, the M5 is rated for 2 435 kg without occupants on board. We are getting dangerously close to the XM’s enormous weight, given as 2,710 kg… Despite this weight, the announced times are worthy of a supercar: 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 3.5 seconds and 0 to 200 in just 10.9 seconds. At top speed, the M5 exceeds the 305 km/h.
Not discreet for a penny
In terms of aesthetics, the BMW M5 MotoGP does not go unnoticed thanks to a special livery with a “graffiti” design, inspired by the BMW M Hybrid V8 entered by BMW M Motorsport in FIA endurance competitions, notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as in the IMSA series in North America.
The BMW M5 MotoGP sports an M kit including flared wheel arches, side skirts and a sculpted front apron.
Equipment specific to its role as a safety car is also present, such as a roof bar, a front splitter, Recaro seats with six-point racing harnesses, a fire extinguisher and a fuel suction pump for international travel.
Source: www.autoplus.fr
