BMW XM Safety Car Turns Heads at Repco Bathurst 12 Hour

Over the weekend, Australia’s iconic Mount Panorama Circuit was the stage for the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race. While the focus was on the thrilling racing action, the safety car used during the event also garnered significant attention.

BMW M Partnership

The event organizers recently signed a multi-year deal with BMW M, making the sub-brand’s vehicles the on-track cars. Instead of opting for a smaller model, BMW chose to showcase the new XM as the safety car. This SUV, the first vehicle exclusively developed by BMW M since the legendary M1 supercar, boasts impressive performance capabilities despite not being track-specific.

Unique Design

The BMW XM is known for its bold and unconventional design, and the safety car version takes it a step further. Featuring a striking two-tone wrap transitioning from matte black to gold, along with safety car decals and a prominent light bar on the roof, this SUV stands out on the track.

BMW’s Commitment to Motorsport

BMW Australia’s general manager of marketing, Alex McLean, expressed excitement about the partnership with Repco Bathurst 12 Hour and the presence of the BMW XM as the official Safety Car. The vehicle will not only fulfill its on-track duties but also serve as a luxury transfer vehicle for guests to enjoy different viewpoints of the event.

Powerful Performance

Equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, an electric motor, and an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels, the BMW XM safety car delivers 644 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Despite its hefty weight of over 6,000 lbs, maneuvering this powerful SUV around Bathurst’s challenging corners is an impressive feat.