The Formula BMW FB02 not only represents the highest possible degree of safety, but also equal opportunity: all competitors in the Formula BMW Talent Cup race in identical cars. This ensures that the ability and commitment of the driver is at the centre of the competition. At first glance it is immediately clear that the FB02 is a real BMW. The Californian BMW subsidiary DesignworksUSA has not only contributed to the surface design, but has also integrated the traditional BMW grill into the car’s design.

An example of the FB02’s safety is the car’s control centre, the cockpit. The drivers are surrounded by a modern monocoque made of carbon-fibre and Kevlar, which is manufactured by Mygale in Magny-Cours, France. Comprehensive tests bear witness to the safety of the chassis. In static load tests, for example, the roll bar above the back of the driver’s head was subjected to a force of up to 60 kN. This corresponds to a load of up to six tons in a collision. The car’s nose cone and rear end feature crash elements made of a carbon-fibre compound with aluminium honeycomb inlay.

The goal of every Formula BMW Talent Cup driver is Formula One. When it comes to safety, motorsport’s elite class once again sets the standards for the junior race series. The wheel retention tethers are an excellent example of this. In case of an accident, they prevent the wheels breaking free from the car, thus protecting drivers and spectators.

The FB02 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds, and can reach a top speed of 230 km/h. The 140 bhp, in-line, four-cylinder engine is responsible for these impressive figures. The 1.2-litre power train is equally impressive, and its maximum engine speed of 9,250 rpm corresponds to that of a typical racing engine. The combination of compact design and horizontal cylinders ensure a low centre of gravity, which benefits the driving properties.

The Hewland sequential gearbox incorporating six forward speeds plus reverse is employed to ensure optimum power transmission. This unit was derived from Formula 3, meaning it is well suited to achieve high durability in the Formula BMW Talent Cup.