Review & Specifications of the BMW M2, MotoGP 2023 Safety Car

Published at:

05-10-2023

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BMW has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as the safety car provider for MotoGP. To mark this occasion, they have introduced the latest-generation BMW M2 as the safety car for the 2023 MotoGP season. If you're interested in learning more about the review and specifications of this vehicle, please read our explanation below.

BMW is once again the provider of the safety car for MotoGP. For the 2023 MotoGP season, the vehicle taking on the role of the safety car is the BMW M2.

As usual, the BMW car serving as the safety car will feature the standard BMW M safety car livery. The car will be predominantly white with the distinctive blue and black accents of BMW M. This MotoGP 2023 safety car is the latest BMW M2, first introduced in October 2022. This car made its debut as the safety car at the MotoGP Portugal race in Portimao.

Review and Specifications of the BMW M2

The latest BMW M2 meets all the requirements needed for a safety car, it's powerful and fast, ensuring it can respond to any emergency incident that may occur. The BMW M2 is a compact yet high-performance vehicle.

It has dimensions of 4,580 mm in length, 1,887 mm in width, 1,402 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,746 mm. Under the hood is a 3,000 cc TwinPower turbo inline six-cylinder engine capable of producing 460 horsepower and reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). This power is transmitted to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Moreover, the car is equipped with high-quality components, including a roll bar, RECARO seats with six-point harnesses, chassis enhancements, an M Performance exhaust system, as well as carbon fiber casings, diffusers, and spoilers. As a safety car in MotoGP, the BMW M2 also features all the necessary accessories such as a fire extinguisher, safety light device on the car's roof, and appropriate warning lights. According to WLTP testing, the BMW M2 has a fuel consumption rating of 9.8 to 9.6 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO2 emissions ranging from approximately 222 to 218 grams per kilometer (g/km).

In addition to the M2, BMW will also provide several vehicles for the circuit medical team. BMW will also supply BMW M 1000 RR motorcycles as safety bikes.

What is the Purpose of the Safety Car?

The safety car plays a crucial role in the MotoGP racing arena. In the morning before the racing activities commence, the safety car conducts track inspections to ensure that the track is in a good and safe condition for racing. This vehicle is also used to check if every race steward is in their designated positions with the necessary equipment.

The safety car also has vital tasks, especially at the beginning of races. It opens the track before the riders embark on the formation lap. The car remains in front of the grid for five minutes before the warm-up lap begins to ensure that all riders are in their respective positions.

Once the riders have completed the warm-up lap, the safety car follows them to provide assistance in case of serious incidents. Additionally, the safety car "shepherds" the riders, forcing them to maintain a certain speed because if one rider goes too slow, it can affect other riders.

In every MotoGP race, there are two safety cars referred to as Omega 1 and Omega 2. Both of these cars are actually vehicles equipped for providing emergency medical assistance, and they carry the MotoGP medical team along with various equipment to respond to emergencies

It's important to note that besides these two safety cars, MotoGP also uses other medical vehicles such as ambulances and vehicles equipped with stretchers to assist in emergency situations. MotoGP regulations also specify that each vehicle is equipped with a medical team and necessary medical equipment.

Other BMW Cars That Have Served as MotoGP Safety Cars

It's important to note that in 1999, Dorna, the commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship, entered into a partnership with BMW. Since then, the German automaker has been the official supplier of MotoGP safety cars.

Here are some examples of other BMW cars that have played the role of safety cars:

1. BMW Z3 M Coupé (E36/8) from 1999 to 2000

The year 1999 marked the beginning of the long-standing partnership between BMW M and MotoGP. During this period, the classic two-seater BMW Z3 M Coupé was chosen as the safety car.

2. BMW Z8 (E52) from 2001 to 2003

In the years 2001 to 2003, the BMW Z8 (E52) was selected as the safety car. This car could produce up to 400 horsepower.

3. BMW M3 Coupé (E92) from 2008 to 2010

A car equipped with a 4-liter V8 engine that could generate up to 420 horsepower.

4. BMW M4 Competition Coupé safety car in 2021

This car features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine producing 510 horsepower with a maximum torque of 650 Nm. The car utilizes automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

That concludes the information we can provide about the specifications of the BMW M2 serving as the MotoGP safety car. With its robust engine performance and various available features, this car possesses the capabilities required of a safety car.

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