BMW has all the time 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 number of racetrack-ready enhancements. And it higher be good: BMW’s been testing prototypes since November 2023, using three separate take a look at vehicles and masking over 30,000 kilometers of their endurance checks.
The New M2 Racing Debuts
Regardless of being revealed with a wild livery that BMW calls “Inception” — and by no means road-legal — the M2 Racing isn’t fully dissimilar from the streetcar it shares its badging with. A turbocharged engine nonetheless purrs away underneath 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 as a way to make sure the soundtrack continues to be on level. No guide transmission, after all, however a ZF eight-speed automated is greater than as much as the problem of powering the rear wheels.
Different tweaks embrace a cooling system based mostly on the one within the S58 engine, so even when working sizzling lap after sizzling lap, the automotive stays cool and composed. BMW closed off the grilles and varied inlets as a way to cut back the prospect of particles or affect damaging parts, too. In spite of everything, racing isn’t all the time probably 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 shops showcase the GT4 exhaust together with racy additions like a carbon fiber spoiler and aggressive diffuser. The M2 Racing additionally provides an air lifting system for simple tire adjustments.
Inside Particulars of the M2 Racing
Inside, the M2 Racing is precisely what you’d anticipate. A welded roll cage, carbon fiber Sabelt race seats, and fabric door pulls set it instantly other than the M2s you’ll see in your morning commute. However there are some holdovers from the common automotive, notably the iDrive display, steering wheel, and heart console. The M2 Racing is optionally accessible with particular datalogging software program for patrons that need 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 you need to ask…no, it’s not that egregious. In spite of everything, the M2 Racing is a full-fledged race automotive. BMW focused a worth level of “underneath €100,000,” and bought there: the M2 Racing might be yours for €98,000. After all, import taxes may push you slightly bit additional up, particularly in the event you’re Stateside. There’s a ton of elective gear to push that worth up, too. BMW provides all the things from automotive covers to exhaust mufflers and ballast packing containers, relying on what you’re attempting to do with the automotive. BMW additionally says working prices needs to be so much decrease than different race vehicles, as a result of widespread half sharing and the choice to make use of the inline-four. Orders are up in June, with deliveries starting late this 12 months.
