BMW has been selling the second-generation M2 for a couple of years now, but it has only recently received the full race car treatment. Much to the dismay of purists, though, the new M2 Racing swaps its inline-six for a smaller four-cylinder engine. That might sound backward, especially since track-only cars typically gain power over their street-legal siblings, but BMW has its reasons.
We asked BMW why the M2 Racing ditches the beloved six-cylinder. Laura Claesgens from BMW M Motorsport’s communications team explained that the decision comes down to cost and simplicity. The lighter 2.0-liter engine puts less strain on components, allowing the use of existing M2 street car parts, such as the brakes and cooling system. That translates to lower running costs for amateur racers, which represent the car’s target audience.
Photo by: BMW
The M2 Racing uses a tuned version of BMW’s familiar B48 engine, borrowed from the 230i but massaged to make 308 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That’s 53 hp and 15 lb-ft more than the standard 2 Series Coupe. While that’s a far cry from the 473 hp offered by the road-going M2’s S58 engine, BMW says the performance is just right for an entry-level race car tailored to beginners.
‘The M2 Racing is an entry-level racing car that focuses on learning to drive. The performance of the four-cylinder engine is sufficient for this purpose. In addition, we want to reduce the running costs of the M2 Racing, with the weight and performance of a four-cylinder engine, costs for brakes and cooling are reduced by using standard components.’
That downsizing and fat-cutting strategy pays off. The M2 Racing weighs just 3,302 pounds, shedding a significant 512 lbs compared to the production model. The standard M2 offers both a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic, but the race version gets a seven-speed ZF automatic transmission.
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Source: BMW
Interestingly, the M2 Racing is built in the same Mexican plant that assembles the regular M2. But it receives several motorsport upgrades, including an M4 GT4-derived exhaust with a racing catalytic converter, adjustable anti-roll bars, and fixed KW shocks inspired by BMW’s GT3 program. Despite its stripped-out interior, it still offers air conditioning. And yes, you can even spec a passenger seat.
At €98,000, the M2 Racing is significantly more affordable than its larger siblings, the €219,000 M4 GT4 EVO and the €578,000 M4 GT3 EVO. Buyers can also choose from several upgrades, including a rear wing, racing brake pads, a flap-controlled exhaust, and an air jack system. Sales are set to begin in June, with the first deliveries scheduled for later this year, just in time to prepare for the 2026 motorsport season.
If you’re worried the street-approved M2 will also lose two cylinders, don’t be. The “G87” will keep the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder mill for many years to come. A hotter Competition Sport (CS) is expected to break cover soon, with reports stating BMW is also preparing an xDrive variant for later this decade.
