BMW has taken the wraps off a safety car that will be put to use during the upcoming Austrian Gran Prix stage of the Formula 1. The coupe will assume leadership in case of a breakdown or other emergency.
The build is dubbed the BMW M8 Moto GP, and it is essentially a standard M8 Competition with some M8 GTE details strapped on. This includes the roll bar, the bucket seats with their advanced safety harnesses, and the rear wing. Other additions include red and blue warning lights, a Moto GP livery, Michelin Cup tires, a lightweight body kit, and a titanium exhaust system. The latter two options are actually available for the stock M8 as well.
Powering the pace car is the old-and-proven BMW 4.4 V8 rated at 625 hp (466 kW).
This is not the first time BMW hands over its vehicles for use in motorsport events. The German car manufacturer has had a contract with the F1 since 1999. Furthermore, it also provides safety cars for the Formula E.