There are some benefits to securing pole position for each MotoGP race. The main one is obviously giving yourself the best chance of leading into the first corner. And hopefully also leading out of it. But the BMW M Award has also rewarded fast times for 15 years. And for 2017, there’s new BMW M4 CS for the fastest MotoGP qualifier over the season.
And even if you’re paid to ride the world’s fastest motorcycles, it’s still nice to have something to nip to the shops in.
It’s not as cool as a motorcycle, obviously. But the BMW M4 CS does put out 460hp from an M TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine. Which means the limited edition coupe can cover 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 174mph. Tame compared to a MotoGP bike. But it’s road legal and will hold luggage and spare helmets from hotel to track and back again.
The M4 CS has also got a load of carbon fibre, a trick differential and M double-clutch transmission. The combination of power, handling and 7-speed gearbox means it’s capable of lapping the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in 7:38 minutes. And it costs from 116,900 Euros. So it makes a pretty decent end-of-season bonus.
As mentioned above, BMW has been supporting Grand Prix motorcycling since 1999 (and the M Award for 15), providing a fleet of vehicles. That includes a set of M2, M3 and M4 Coupe safety cars, two BMW X5 M medical cars, a BMW M5 for the safety officer, and two BMW S1000 RRs. Ironic considering that during the last 18 years, BMW has competed and won in various superbike classes, but has yet to field a factory GP team.
So far in 2017, Marc Marquez is most likely to win the BMW M4 CS for the fastest MotoGP qualifier. He’s already won the BMW M Award four times in a row. Other multiple winners include Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner (3 each), and Jorge Lorenzo (twice). Sete Gibernau and Nicky Hayden are the other winners, with just a single free BMW each.
So no, we’re not going to morph into a ‘bikes and cars’ title. We already have Rescars.com for that. But we’d also not turn down a high performance BMW as a Rescogs work and photo car if there’s a spare kicking around. As long as it comes with a BMW S 1000 RR as well, please.
Wow. Up to 62mph in 3.9 Seconds. Not bad.