BMW has a new, entry-level race car called the M2 Racing. It starts at €98,000 ($111,421 at today's exchange rate), which gets you a fully kitted car ready for the track. Except it lacks one thing the road-going M2 has—an inline-six engine. Instead, the new M2 race car packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
The engine, sourced from the 2 Series Gan Coupe, makes 313 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. BMW says the M2 Racing can reach speeds of over 168 miles per hour, and the only gearbox available is the ZF's seven-speed automatic with BMW M Motorsport software.
The car has a mechanical differential lock with separate cooling, BMW M compound brakes, non-adjustable KW shock absorbers, and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars. It features LED headlights, a front splitter, a rear fog light, and a lightweight roof. BMW finishes the exterior with U300 Alpine White III.
Inside, the car has a DMSB-certified welded safety cage that's compliant with the latest FIA regulations. It also has a Sabelt GT-AM safety seat and a fire extinguisher. The car even has air conditioning, and it comes with the stuff you'd expect a race car to have, like BMW M Motorsport-specific drive modes and an adjustable pit speed limiter.
Additional options include a rear wing, a weight ballast box, a data logger, Endless endurance brake pads, a Sabelt GT-Pro driver seat, an air jack system, a muffler with an adjustable exhaust flap, a start number light, a passenger seat package, a car cover, and M Motorsport decals.
"The car is affordable while offering racing teams and drivers uncompromising performance, durability, and pure driving pleasure," said BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel. BMW calls out the car's lower operating costs due to how closely related it is to the production car as a positive.
Development for the car began in November 2023, testing a powertrain development car, a car dynamics development car, and an endurance test car, the latter of which completed 18,4641 miles. The M2 Racing will hit the track starting in 2026. Sales begin in June.
Source: BMW
