Munich. Preparations are underway for the 2021 season in the MotoGP
World Championship, which begins on 28th March with the
Grand Prix of Qatar in Losail. BMW M has been the ‘Official Car of
MotoGP’ since 1999, an involvement that includes the provision of the
safety car fleet. This year marks the first time that BMW M GmbH is
presenting three new safety cars and a new safety bike. In Qatar, the
BMW M3, the BMW M4 and the BMW M5 CS Safety Cars will be celebrating
their debuts. They will be joined by the new BMW M 1000 RR Safety
Bike. The BMW M 1000 RR is the first M model from BMW Motorrad and the
racing version will be appearing in the Superbike World Championship.
The 2021 safety car fleet will be completed at the first European
race of the season, the Grande Prémio de Portugal on 18th
April in Portimão. The BMW M8 Competition Coupe Safety Car, the BMW M8
Competition Gran Coupe Safety Car, the BMW X5 M Medical Car and
another BMW M 1000 RR Safety Bike will be in action from then on.
“The safety car fleet is the focal point of our involvement in the
MotoGP and we are very proud to be starting the season with four new
vehicles for the first time in our 20-year history as ‘Official Car of
MotoGP’,” said Markus Flasch, CEO BMW M GmbH. “Our three new safety
cars are based on production models, which deliver outstanding
performance and driving dynamics that make them ideally suited to
appear in the MotoGP. They will be joined by the new BMW M 1000 RR as
the safety bike. The first M model on two wheels has been developed in
motorsport and will meet the most exacting requirements on the
racetrack. We are looking forward to the season-opener in Qatar and
seeing our new fleet in action.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports, added:
“With this new safety car fleet, our partner BMW M once again
demonstrates their level of commitment and passion for the MotoGP. In
2021, we will be embarking on our 23rd season together and
the presentation of the fleet with three new safety cars and the new
safety bike is a real statement. It shows the strength and seriousness
of our partnership and we are very grateful to BMW M GmbH for this involvement.”
The production versions of the new safety cars have already been
designed for sporty performance and perfect driving behaviour up to
the limits. Therefore, only a few adjustments were required to allow
their use as safety cars in MotoGP. These modifications include light
bars, flashing front lights, motorsport quick-release bonnet latches
and emergency power shutoffs for overseas transport. The rear seat has
also been removed from the BMW M4 Competition Coupe Safety Car and a
rollbar and 4-point sports harness have been installed. The BMW M3 and
BMW M4 Safety Cars have modified exhaust systems.
BMW M is taking a new approach to colours with the safety cars this
year. Instead of appearing in classic motorsport white, the safety
vehicles will be sporting exclusive colours from M production models:
the BMW M3 Competition Sedan Safety Car in Frozen Grey Dark Metallic,
the BMW M4 Competition Coupe Safety Car in São Paulo Yellow and the
BMW M5 CS Safety Car in Frozen Deep Green Metallic. When designing the
livery, BMW M has again chosen to stay with a classic, purist safety
car look. It emphasises the basic colours of the vehicles,
simultaneously underlining the typical appearance of a safety car. The
new BMW M 1000 RR Safety Bike is white with the well-known M colours,
bearing the livery that the BMW M 1000 RR will also be using in the
Superbike World Championship.
For more information about BMW M GmbH and the involvement as the
‘Official Car of MotoGP’, see: www.bmw-m.com
BMW M3 Competition Sedan: Fuel consumption weighted combined in
l/100km: 10.2 (NEDC); 10.2 – 10.0 (WLTP), CO2 emissions
weighted combined in g/km: 234 (NEDC); 234 – 228 (WLTP).*
BMW M4 Competition Coupe: Fuel consumption weighted combined in
l/100km: 10.5 – 10.2 (NEDC); 10.2 – 9.9 (WLTP), CO2
emissions weighted combined in g/km: 240 – 234 (NEDC); 233 – 227 (WLTP).*
BMW M5 CS: Fuel consumption weighted combined in l/100km: 11.3 – 11.1
(NEDC); 11.3 – 10.9 (WLTP), CO2 emissions weighted combined
in g/km: 258 – 253 (NEDC); 257 – 248 (WLTP).*
* Fuel consumption, CO2 emission figures, power consumption and range
were measured using the methods required according to Regulation VO
(EC) 2007/715 as amended. They refer to vehicles on the automotive
market in Germany. With regard to ranges, the NEDC figures take into
account differences in the selected wheel and tyre size, while the
WLTP figures take into account the effects of any optional equipment.
All figures are already calculated on the basis of the new WLTP test
cycle. NEDC values listed have been calculated back to the NEDC
measurement procedure where applicable. WLTP values are used as a
basis for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related levies
that are (also) based on CO2 emissions and, where applicable, for the
purposes of vehicle-specific subsidies. Further information on the
WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures is also available at http://www.bmw.com/wltp.
BMW M3 Competition Sedan: Fuel consumption weighted
combined in l/100km: 10.2 (NEDC); 10.2 – 10.0 (WLTP), CO2
emissions weighted combined in g/km: 234 (NEDC); 234 – 228 (WLTP).
BMW M4 Competition Coupe: Fuel consumption weighted
combined in l/100km: 10.5 – 10.2 (NEDC); 10.2 – 9.9 (WLTP),
CO2 emissions weighted combined in g/km: 240 – 234 (NEDC);
233 – 227 (WLTP).
BMW M5 CS: Fuel consumption weighted combined in
l/100km: 11.3 – 11.1 (NEDC); 11.3 – 10.9 (WLTP), CO2
emissions weighted combined in g/km: 258 – 253 (NEDC); 257 – 248 (WLTP).