BMW has been promoting the second-generation M2 for a few years now, however it has solely not too long ago acquired the total race automobile therapy. A lot to the dismay of purists, although, the brand new M2 Racing swaps its inline-six for a smaller four-cylinder engine. Which may sound backward, particularly since track-only vehicles usually achieve energy over their street-legal siblings, however BMW has its causes.

We requested BMW why the M2 Racing ditches the beloved six-cylinder. Laura Claesgens from BMW M Motorsport’s communications staff defined that the choice comes right down to price and ease. The lighter 2.0-liter engine places much less pressure on parts, permitting using current M2 road automobile elements, such because the brakes and cooling system. That interprets to decrease working prices for newbie racers, which characterize the automobile’s target market.

Photograph by: BMW

The M2 Racing makes use of a tuned model of BMW’s acquainted B48 engine, borrowed from the 230i however massaged to make 308 horsepower and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. That’s 53 hp and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) greater than the usual 2 Collection Coupe. Whereas that’s a far cry from the 473 hp provided by the road-going M2’s S58 engine, BMW says the efficiency is excellent for an entry-level race automobile tailor-made to freshmen.

The M2 Racing is an entry-level racing automobile that focuses on studying to drive. The efficiency of the four-cylinder engine is adequate for this objective. As well as, we wish to scale back the working prices of the M2 Racing, with the load and efficiency of a four-cylinder engine, prices for brakes and cooling are diminished through the use of commonplace parts.

That downsizing and fat-cutting technique pays off. The M2 Racing weighs simply 3,302 kilos (1,498 kg), shedding a major 512 lbs (232 kg) in comparison with the manufacturing mannequin. The usual M2 presents each a six-speed handbook and an eight-speed automated, however the race model will get a seven-speed ZF automated transmission.

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Supply: BMW

Apparently, the M2 Racing is inbuilt the identical Mexican plant that assembles the common M2. However it receives a number of motorsport upgrades, together with an M4 GT4-derived exhaust with a racing catalytic converter, adjustable anti-roll bars, and glued KW shocks impressed by BMW’s GT3 program. Regardless of its stripped-out inside, it nonetheless presents air con. And sure, you may even spec a passenger seat.

At €98,000, the M2 Racing is considerably extra inexpensive than its bigger siblings, the €219,000 M4 GT4 EVO and the €578,000 M4 GT3 EVO. Consumers also can select from a number of upgrades, together with a rear wing, racing brake pads, a flap-controlled exhaust, and an air jack system. Gross sales are set to start in June, with the primary deliveries scheduled for later this yr, simply in time to arrange for the 2026 motorsport season.

In the event you’re nervous the street-approved M2 may even lose two cylinders, don’t be. The “G87” will hold the three.0-liter, six-cylinder mill for a few years to return. A warmer Competitors Sport (CS) is anticipated to interrupt cowl quickly, with reviews stating BMW can also be making ready an xDrive variant for later this decade.