BMW recently launched the second generation of the M2, and it has just received a full racing car treatment. However, fans were disappointed to find out that the new M2 Racing has swapped its beloved inline-six engine for a smaller four-cylinder engine. While this may sound like a step back since race cars usually have more power than street cars, BMW had its reasons. Laura Claesgens from BMW M Motorsport’s communication team explained that the decision was based on cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
The lighter 2.0-liter engine reduces component weight, allowing for the use of existing M2 street car parts such as brakes and cooling systems. This results in lower operational costs for amateur racers, which represent the target audience for this car. The M2 Racing uses a tuned version of BMW’s familiar B48 engine borrowed from the 230i but tweaked to produce 308 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is 53 hp and 15 lb-ft more than the standard 2 Series Coupe.
Despite not matching the 473 hp offered by the S58 engine used in the M2 on the road, BMW claims that the performance is adequate for an entry-level racing car designed for beginners. The weight reduction strategy has proven successful, with the M2 Racing weighing only 3,302 pounds, a 512-pound reduction compared to the production model. It receives a seven-speed ZF automatic transmission instead of the standard six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
Surprisingly, the M2 Racing is built in the same Mexican factory that assembles the regular M2 but with some motorsport enhancements, including an M4 GT4 derivative exhaust with a racing catalytic converter, adjustable anti-roll bars, and GT3 BMW-inspired KW shocks. Despite having a stripped-down interior, the car still offers air conditioning and even allows for a passenger seat to be fitted.
With a price of €98,000, the M2 Racing is much more affordable than its bigger 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 controllable exhaust with a cover, and an air jack system. Sales will begin in June, with the first deliveries scheduled for the end of this year, just in time for the 2026 motorsport season preparation.
If you’re worried that the road-legal approved M2 will also lose two cylinders, fret not. The “G87” is expected to retain its 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine for the foreseeable future. A more potent Competition Sport (CS) variant is rumored to be on the horizon, with reports suggesting BMW is also preparing an xDrive variant for the end of this decade.
