BMW has always understood that creating the next generation of Motorsport enthusiasts means giving them an attainable entry point. Their latest effort—the M2 Racing—throws a fascinating curveball by ditching the road car’s burly inline-six for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that evokes the spirit of the original E30 M3. Unveiled at the DTM season opener at Oschersleben, this stripped-down track weapon represents BMW’s commitment to grassroots racing with a relatively affordable €98,000 (about $111,000) price tag.
Four Cylinders, No Apologies
The most surprising aspect of the M2 Racing isn’t what BMW added, but what they removed. Gone is the twin-turbo S58 3.0-liter six that powers the street-legal M2. In its place sits a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder based on BMW’s B48 engine family, producing 313 horsepower and roughly 310 lb-ft of torque. While that’s a significant drop from the road car’s 473 horses, the racing version sheds a substantial 512 pounds of weight, tipping the scales at just 3,302 pounds.
Let’s talk about that four-cylinder engine for a second. Ask anyone who’s gone racing and they’ll tell you that engine rebuilds are where things get expensive fast. The smaller four-banger is less stressed, cheaper to maintain, and lets teams reuse more standard M2 parts when things break. Plus, there’s something nostalgic about BMW going back to a four-cylinder for their entry racer – tipping their hat to the legendary E30 M3 that dominated touring cars back in the day with its high-revving S14 engine.
Power gets routed through a seven-speed ZF automatic transmission (no manual here, sadly) to a mechanical locking differential with its own cooling system. An upgraded exhaust derived from the M4 GT4 ensures this four-pot still delivers an appropriately aggressive soundtrack on track.
Serious Hardware, Straightforward Approach
Despite BMW positioning this as an “entry-level” race car, there’s nothing basic about the M2 Racing’s hardware. The chassis benefits from KW shock absorbers based on BMW’s GT3 program, along with adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars and robust BMW M Compound brakes with racing pads. The aero package can be expanded with optional components like a proper rear wing, but even in standard form, it’s properly optimized for circuit duty.
Inside, the M2 Racing features a full FIA-homologated roll cage, a Sabelt GT-AM racing bucket for the driver (passenger seat optional), and fire suppression equipment. Interestingly, BMW kept the regular M2’s digital displays, reconfigured for racing telemetry, and even made air conditioning standard – a luxury many dedicated race cars skip, but one that will be deeply appreciated during summer race weekends.
BMWs pragmatic approach extends to the standard Alpine White paint finish, which is essentially a blank canvas for racing teams to apply their own liveries and sponsor decals. For those wanting something more distinctive right out of the box, BMW offers an optional M Motorsport decal package with their signature blue and red geometric patterns.
Built for Privateers, Tested by Professionals
Development of the M2 Racing has been underway since 2023, with BMW M works drivers putting the car through its paces in three separate test vehicles focused on powertrain, dynamics, and endurance. The endurance test car alone has logged over 18,600 miles of hard running to ensure the M2 Racing delivers BMW’s promised combination of performance and reliability.
BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann describes the car as “much closer to the production model than a highly developed GT car like the BMW M4 GT3,” emphasizing its easy operation, low running costs, and high performance. When your development drivers are excited about a car’s accessibility, you know you’ve hit the sweet spot for amateur racers.
Spec Sheet
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (B48-derived)
Power: 230 kW / 313 hp
Torque: ~310 lb-ft / 420 Nm
Transmission: 7-speed ZF automatic
Weight: 3,302 lbs / 1,498 kg
Top Speed: 168 mph / 270 km/h
Base Price: €98,000 (approximately $111,000)
Chassis: Based on production M2 with enhanced racing components
Suspension: KW shock absorbers, adjustable anti-roll bars
Safety Features: FIA-homologated roll cage, fire suppression system
Standard Color: Alpine White
Available Options: Passenger seat, rear wing, air jack system, GT-Pro seat package, adjustable exhaust system
Pricing & Availability
The BMW M2 Racing will be available to order through select BMW M Motorsport dealers starting in June 2025, with deliveries scheduled before the 2026 racing season begins. At €98,000 (approximately $111,000) for the base version, it’s substantially more expensive than a standard M2 but far more accessible than BMW’s higher-tier racing offerings like the M4 GT3, which starts at well over $400,000.
Recap
2026 BMW M2 Racing
BMW makes a compelling entry point into customer motorsport by channeling the original E30 M3’s four-cylinder philosophy, creating an accessible track weapon for privateers who want to go racing without the expense of a full-blown GT car.
