New BMW M2 Racer Channels E30 M3 Spirit With 4-Cylinder Turbo – Carscoops
2025-04-28T08:23:24Z
The new M2 Racing drops the inline-six for a turbocharged four-pot and stays, otherwise, close to the road car so as to be more affordable to privateers
The new M2 Racing drops the inline-six for a turbocharged four-pot and stays, otherwise, close to the road car so as to be more affordable to privateers
BMW has launched the M2 Racing, it’s entry-level racecar for the 2026 season.
The new racer is fitted with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain generating 308 hp.
It features an upgraded chassis that sports a KW suspension and a roll cage.
If you have ever dreamed of getting into racing without selling a kidney or two, BMW M Motorsport just made your life a little easier. The brand has unveiled a new entry-level racecar based on the latest generation M2, designed specifically for private customer teams. Called the M2 Racing, this model will hit the track for the 2026 season, following in the tire tracks of previous motorsports versions like the M235i, M240i, and M2 CS.
The headline change is under the hood. Instead of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine found in the roadgoing M2, the M2 Racing uses a smaller turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit tuned for track duty.
Review: The BMW M2 Is A Dinosaur That’s Heaps Of Fun To Drive
This four-pot produces 308 hp (230 kW / 313 PS) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque, a considerable drop from the standard M2’s 473 hp (353 kW / 480 PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft). Still, the spirit remains intact. This setup is a nod to the original E30 M3 that conquered the DTM and European Touring Car Championship from 1987 to 1992 with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder.
A Race-Ready Setup with Everyday DNA
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed ZF gearbox and a mechanical differential with separate cooling. The chassis of the M2 has been enhanced with racing components such as KW shock absorbers, adjustable motorsport anti-roll bars, and BMW M Compound brakes.
The interior is exactly what you would expect from a racecar built with practicality in mind. There is a single Sabelt GT-AM racing bucket seat for the driver, a full FIA-homologated roll cage, and a fire extinguisher. The passenger seat is optional, just in case you feel like sharing the terror. Air-conditioning, however, comes standard, which will be a blessing during those summer race weekends.
More: BMW M Confirms A New Halo Supercar
BMW M Works driver Jens Klingman said that the M2 Racing is “much closer to the production model than a highly developed GT car like the BMW M4 GT3”. He described it as a “great entry-level car that is very easy to operate, has very low running costs due to its closeness to the series, but at the same time is a full-fledged race car with a high level of performance”.
Affordability, at Least by Motorsport Standards
As for pricing, BMW aimed to make the M2 Racing relatively accessible. It will start at €98,000 ($111,100) in Europe. That puts it well above the €77,500 ($87,900) starting price of a regular M2 in Germany, but miles below the more sophisticated BMW M4 GT3 that starts at €415,000 ($470,600).
The launch of the M2 Racing took place at the DTM season opener at Oschersleben, Germany, and sales will commence at the end of June. BMW M Motorsport continues development and testing in order to be ready for the 2026 season, and will provide support to the private teams that will compete with its new entry-level racer.
Auto-posted from news source
About The Author
