MotoGP: BMW XM Label Red Safety Car Unveiled Ahead of 2024 Season, is the Most Powerful M Model with 738bhp

MotoGP: The 2024 season is scheduled to begin on March 8, with the Qatar Grand Prix marking its return to the season-opening slot after being moved to November 2023 due to major track revisions. This season, MotoGP will make its debut in Kazakhstan at the new Sokol circuit near Almaty, and the very first MotoGP Kazakhstan will get underway from June 14 to 16. The Bharat GP, meanwhile, will be held on October 6, according to our report; although the provisional calendar for the upcoming season says a different story (Indian GP: September 20-22). In the build-up to all this, BMW has recently unveiled the XM Label Red as a MotoGP safety car for 2024 at the Valencia season finale, where Dorna CEO Ezpeleta and BMW M CEO Franciscus Van Meel presided over the ceremony. 

Also Read: MotoGP Valencia Post Season Test: Marc Marquez Makes Ducati Debut, Pedro Acosta Joins the Grid

BMW XM Label Red Safety Car: Exterior and Interior Elements

Exterior-wise, the new BMW XM Label Red is finished in Matte Grey colour with red highlights. In comparison to the standard XM model, the safety car comes with a roof-mounted light bar, flashing front lights, and a new front splitter. Inside, the XM Label Red features Recaro front bucket seats, six-point racing harnesses, and a fire extinguisher.

BMW XM Label Red Safety Car: Powertrain and Performance

Underneath the skin, the car retains a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that works in conjunction with an electric motor. This setup is capable of delivering a combined power output of 738bhp, making it the brand's most powerful production vehicle ever. The peak torque, meanwhile, is marked at 1,000Nm. Transmission duties are taken care of by an 8-speed M Steptronic unit. Replacing the BMW M2 safety car used throughout the 2023 season, the XM Label Red tips the scales at 2,700 kilograms.

For the uninitiated, the German manufacturer unveiled the production-spec XM SUV in September 2022 as the M performance division’s first vehicle to get an electrified drivetrain. Subsequently, the SUV welcomed two new versions – the XM 50e with an inline-six and the Label Red. The XM is the second BMW Motorsport car built from the ground up since the iconic M1 supercar of the late '70s and early '80s. 

BMW – Official Safety Car Supplier for 25 Years

The German luxury automaker has been the 'Official Car of MotoGP' supplier for 25 years, and this year marked the 21st time the brand presented the BMW M Award to the fastest qualifier in the championship – Francesco Bagnaia. 

Also Read: MotoGP: Pecco Bagnaia Wins 2023 World Championship at Valencia GP

The 2023 MotoGP season witnessed Ducati's Bagnaia win the season-ending Valencia GP and clinch his second MotoGP title as Jorge Martin crashed out. Bagnaia's title rival finished second in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship standings, while his stablemate Marco Bezzecchi finished third.