Polarizing its design may be, the current-generation BMW 2 Series has picked up where the previous F22 left off. Well-priced and fun to drive, it's the quintessential BMW sports coupe. That said, the old model (particularly the M2 CS), was a magical car to pilot, melding the very best the Munich-based brand has to offer in a compact package.

2022 is a very special year for BMW M, the performance subsidiary celebrating its 50th anniversary. As part of the celebrations, an M2 CS wearing the brand's vintage motorsport colors will serve as the safety car for the upcoming MotoGP season. It's no run-of-the-mill M2 CS, though. The example that will be used to lead the pack is a bona fide racecar and will be the first of its kind to be used as the lead car in the race series.

"The BMW M2 CS Racing has been successful in a wide range of championships - and, as a thoroughbred race car, is perfectly suited to leading the field as the safety car in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing," said recently installed BMW M CEO, Franciscus van Meel.

With up to 443 horsepower on tap, the race car boasts motorsport-specific driving aids, special drive shafts, a mechanical limited-slip differential (with pre-load and separate cooling), and a carbon roof. While it's taking on a new role, the M2 CS Racing required nothing more than additional front lights and light bars to serve as a safety car.

The littlest M car will be joined by several others, including an M3 and M4 Competition, M5 CS, M8 Competition Gran Coupe, and two M 1000 RR Safety Bikes. An X5 M Competition will do duty as the official medical car. On the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup (an electric motorcycle series), an i4 M50 will lead the field.

These M-powered BMWs will certainly rate as some of the coolest cars to ever work as safety cars, ranking up there with the Mercedes-AMG GT R and Aston Martin Vantage used in the 2021 F1 season. What's more, it gives those gearheads more interested in four wheels a good reason to watch the upcoming MotoGP season, with a glimpse of the gorgeous M2 CS Racing always on offer. The 2022 season commences on March 6th, in Qatar.