BMW launches new race car based on the M2

The second generation M2 was launched as an affordable option for teams and individuals who wanted to participate in motorsport

The second-generation BMW 2 Series is about to go racing, and BMW’s M Racing division has previewed its latest ‘entry-level car.’ It will follow in the footsteps of other 2 Series race cars produced over the past decade, including the M235i Racing, M240i Racing and M2 CS Racing.

BMW has released five photos of the race car model, but has yet to confirm any details. It appears to be based on the M2, rather than the lower-spec 2 Series models like the 220i, 230i or M240i, and has apparently undergone some modifications to prepare it for use on the track.

Read: This BMW M2 has more horsepower than the M8

The racing model has a more pronounced splitter at the front, as well as a bright red drag strip. BMW has painted the entire fascia in black and white camo, but most parts, including the kidney grille and air intakes, look the same as the road-going M2. The side changes are more significant, as the race car has a lower body and custom wheels with sticky Goodyear tires.

There’s a lot to like about the rear of this motorsport-specific 2 Series. It includes a large lip spoiler that’s more aggressive than the smaller lip spoiler on the regular M2. Looking through the windows, you can see that the car is equipped with a full roll cage and racing seats.

“Current proximity to our customers is one of the guiding principles at BMW M Motorsport,” said Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport, describing the series.

“From our perspective, this also involves offering grassroots racing a car that is affordable for teams and newcomers to racing, while providing them with the highest level of BMW M Motorsport technology. We are therefore delighted to be able to announce the successors to the BMW M235i Racing, BMW M240i Racing and BMW M2 CS Racing at this time. Our engineers are already working intensively in the early stages of development to optimally prepare the cars for customer use,” he added.

BMW M Motorsport has yet to confirm when the 2 Series will debut, saying only that it will be “announced at a later date”.