BMW has at all times been good about supporting customer-led racing efforts. Fashions just like the BMW M235i Racing, BMW M240i Racing, and BMW M2 CS Racing made the proper canvas for BMW lovers that gotta go quick, and the successor is lastly right here. BMW’s latest M2 Racing picks up proper the place its predecessors left off, enhancing an already highly effective and nimble chassis with a bunch of racetrack-ready enhancements. And it higher be good: BMW’s been testing prototypes since November 2023, using three separate take a look at automobiles and masking over 30,000 kilometers of their endurance assessments.
The New M2 Racing Debuts
Regardless of being revealed with a wild livery that BMW calls “Inception” — and in no way road-legal — the M2 Racing isn’t utterly dissimilar from the streetcar it shares its badging with. A turbocharged engine nonetheless purrs away below the hood, although right here it’s a B48 turbocharged four-cylinder making 313 horsepower and 420 Nm (309 pound-feet of torque). Put down your pitchforks: BMW’s run piping from the GT4 exhaust system tailored to 4 cylinders in an effort to make sure the soundtrack remains to be on level. No handbook transmission, in fact, however a ZF eight-speed automated is greater than as much as the problem of powering the rear wheels.
Different tweaks embody a cooling system primarily based on the one within the S58 engine, so even when operating scorching lap after scorching lap, the automotive stays cool and composed. BMW closed off the grilles and numerous inlets in an effort to cut back the prospect of particles or affect damaging parts, too. In spite of everything, racing isn’t at all times essentially the most pleasant sport. Whereas wheels, a KW coilover suspension package, and brake pads are particular to the M2 Racing, the rotors are straight off the streetcar. Round again, huge exhaust retailers showcase the GT4 exhaust together with racy additions like a carbon fiber spoiler and aggressive diffuser. The M2 Racing additionally presents an air lifting system for simple tire modifications.
Inside Particulars of the M2 Racing
Inside, the M2 Racing is strictly what you’ll count on. A welded roll cage, carbon fiber Sabelt race seats, and material door pulls set it instantly aside from the M2s you’ll see in your morning commute. However there are some holdovers from the common automotive, notably the iDrive display screen, steering wheel, and heart console. The M2 Racing is optionally obtainable with particular datalogging software program for purchasers that wish to monitor their automotive’s efficiency much more intently.
At 1498 kg (round 3,300 kilos), the M2 Racing manages to chop round 1000 kilos from the common mannequin. Pricing? If it’s important to ask…no, it’s not that egregious. In spite of everything, the M2 Racing is a full-fledged race automotive. BMW focused a value level of “below €100,000,” and obtained there: the M2 Racing will be yours for €98,000. After all, import taxes would possibly push you a bit of bit additional up, particularly for those who’re Stateside. There’s a ton of optionally available gear to push that value up, too. BMW presents every little thing from automotive covers to exhaust mufflers and ballast bins, relying on what you’re attempting to do with the automotive. BMW additionally says operating prices ought to be so much decrease than different race automobiles, as a consequence of widespread half sharing and the choice to make use of the inline-four. Orders are up in June, with deliveries starting late this yr.
