The BMW i8 is the star of another video showing up online, this time the plug-in hybrid coming as a safety car model, showcased during a drifting session.

We are talking about a test drive with the BMW i8 safety car, with some drifting sessions in order to test out the wireless charging technology under all possible conditions.

Very important, this particular BMW i8 safety car is also used on the Formula E ePrix in Beijing, China and was driven by Nelson Picquet Jr., a famous driver from Formula E.

To be a reminder, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid is powered by a hybrid synchronous motor, developing 131 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, hooked to a range extender as well.

The 1.5-liter I3 turbo range extender outputs an additional 228 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, reaching thus a total of 357 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque.

The BMW i8 hybrid is manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, coming in a two-door coupe body style, being first launched last year, at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Marcus M.

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The post Watch the BMW i8 Safety Car Going for a Drifting Session appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Spy photographers from Inautonews online magazine has recently managed to catch on shots a BMW M4 test mule, while undergoing some tests, sporting some camouflage at the front bumper and rear end.

But one`s vigorous eyes might see the real deal under the camouflage, as the BMW M4 seen here is sporting a lot of serious changes, carried out by the German engineers.

We are talking about a revised lip at the front, which would mold the aerodynamics of the car, along with the wing at the back, that would increase the sports car`s power, resembling thus with a MotoGP model.

The first one-off BMW model to sport these kind of modifications was the BMW E92 M3 GTS, which were additional to the standard parts.

It also came with a rear wing, more aerodynamic tweaks, Recaro seats inside, while at the back, the passengers` seats were removed for lightweight.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW M4 Tester Gets MotoGP Safety Car Camouflage appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

That’s unfortunately for me not being in France to see the BMW M6 Gran Coupe totally revealed and exposed to its beauty at the Arch du Triumph. That would have been a real experience for me.

Instead, my friends there told me that the BMW M6 Gran Coupe did quite well with all the paparazzi around. As a matter of fact, the news reporters had some great reviews on the racing car. My friends told me that, no offense.

They also gave me an inside on the news concerning the status of the car. The M6 Gran Coupe would serve the current headline MotoGP Safety Car, with some expectations from the M4 Safety Car to take over the as the lead Safety Car.

BMW is right now in its 15th season running as the “Official Car of MotoGP”, providing the official Safety Cars to the premier motorcycle racing series.

Other recent M cars that are competing as official Safety Cars concerns the M6 Gran Coupe, M6 Coupe, M5 sedan and also 1M Coupe.

The Safety Car is definitely the BMW`s number one car to be on the roads and on the tracks.

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Marcus M.

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The post BMW M6 Gran Coupe Safety Car Seen in Paris appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW’s F12 M6 has found a new job for itself. It’s not exactl the most flattering of places for us motor car enthusiasts but it certainly is in a place of speed.

Come the infamous 24 hour race at the Nurburgring this weekend we’ll see the fastest ever M6 enter active duty as the Safety Car of the event.

After this debut which is easily a trial by fire, the BMW M6 will resume “normal” work as the actual Moto GP safety car for the rest of the season.

Presumably that means the Grand Tourer will take to the track on June 3rd at the Catalunya event in Spain since the French event coincides with the Nurburgring 24.

The full unveiling of the M6 Safety car will actually take place at the M Festival, an event that will very likely see some celebration wash off.

http://youtu.be/4NjTTYKnUM8

In becoming a safety car, the F12 BMW M6 receives some rather modest changes. There’s some LED work, an actual rear wing, teamed to a front splitter and a light bar on top.

Obviously, the awesome BMW M Racing colors chosen for the livery of the F12 BMW M6 is hard to ignore but it doesn’t actually contribute to the speed of the thing.

The 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet on the other hand, has 552 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque to put through the M-DCT transmission.

Acceleration from 0-62 mph still stands at 4.2 seconds but there’s no mention of the top speed figure. The F12 BMW M6 will never hit 155 mph on the small race tracks they use for bikes but it still feels like a shame to have a limiter.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F12 BMW M6 takes Moto GP Safety Car job appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Touring car racing is one of the latest forms of motorsport where the metal on track looks a lot like the one on the streets.

Among them, the German series, the DTM is one of the most impressive and everything about it seems to be infested with power and efficiency.

If that’s what you look for in a car, few provide it as well as BMW products so it’s no surprise to see them involved in the sport.

For a short period of time let’s not focus on the actual racers and instead take a look at the DTM’s safety car. For the 2012 season it’ll be a special BMW M3 E92.

To my mind, any edition of the BMW M3 can be called special but this one in particular has a few tricks up its sleeve.

The changes made in order to turn the BMW M3 into a safety car are minimal; there’s a new ventilated hood, a carbon fiber spoiler and the series specific top warning light assembly.

Quite likely the BMW M3 DTM Safety Car will also receive a special set of racing tires which should keep it as stuck to the ground as possible.

Inside the new version of the M3 BMW added a few other track day specific treats, a couple of racing seats from Recaro and a full roll cage.

As you can see, there’s no change to the important stuff about a car and as you’d imagine, safety car duties will be covered without too much stress despite this.

After all, a stock E92 M3 will run circles on a track round plenty of track-day oriented vehicles.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post 2012 DTM season safety car is a BMW M3 appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

This year’s season of MotoGP is ready to debut with the Losail race in Qatar and the Germans from BMW proudly announced that their all-new 1 Series M Coupe will be the official Safety Car this season. Of course, the German model received a special paint job along some “Safety Car” stickers, a rear wing and a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with 255/35 tires front and 285/30 rear.

A pair of LED lights make their appearance in the front grille while the the technical improvements include a high performane four-pipe Akrapovic exhaust system, a new sports suspension but also a revised braking system.

Entering the cabin, the Germans from BMW quitted the rear seat and mounted a rollcage, sport seats with six-point seatbelts and also windows made of polycarbonate.

According to BMW, two additional security vehicles wearing the BMW badge will be seen at the first MotoGP race, namely a X6 M and M3. Here is a photo gallery with the specially prepared 1 Series Coupe M for the new MotoGP season.

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Marcus M.

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The post The new MotoGP Safety Car is a BMW 1 Series M Coupe appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.