BMW M5 Debuts As MotoGP Safety Car With 717 HP Hybrid Power

The new BMW M5 is making an impressive debut as the official MotoGP Safety Car at the recent San Marino Grand Prix. For 26 consecutive seasons, BMW has been the provider of safety cars for MotoGP, and the M5 now joins an elite lineup of BMW M models that have served this role.

Recent safety cars include the M2, M3 Touring, and earlier this season, the XM Label Red. With the M5’s debut, BMW seems eager to prove that even its larger, more powerful vehicles are perfectly capable of leading the pack in the world of motorsports.

This BMW M5 Safety Car sports bold livery inspired by the M Hybrid endurance race car, featuring a mostly matte black finish accented with striking splashes of white, blue, red, and purple. The design looks aggressive, and those wide wheel arches add a muscular, intimidating stance to the car.

Not only will the new M5 serve as a safety car, but it will also be the recipient of this year's BMW M Award, given to the MotoGP rider with the best qualifying performance of the season.

This long-standing tradition has been going strong for over 20 years, and while this is only the second time an electrified M model is up for grabs, last year’s winner, Francesco Bagnaia, drove away with the keys to a BMW XM Label Red.

Under the hood of the M5 is a powerful 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, churning out 577 hp between 5,600 and 6,500 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque as early as 1,800 rpm.

However, the excitement doesn't end there—a hybrid system equips the M5, escalating the total output to an astounding 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.

BMW’s decision to showcase the M5 in MotoGP highlights its versatility, blending immense power and electrification in a package that’s still track-ready despite its hefty size.