BMW’S BABY BEAST: THE NEW M2 RACING BRINGS TRACK THRILLS TO THE MASSES - WITH A 4-POT!
Come 2026, BMW M Motorsport is throwing open the gates of grassroots racing with a brand-new weapon - the BMW M2 Racing. This pint-sized powerhouse marks a fresh entry point for privateer teams worldwide, blending affordability with proper motorsport pedigree. It was officially revealed just ahead of its track debut at the DTM season opener in Oschersleben, and let’s just say - it’s more than just a warmed-up street car in race livery. Carrying on a proud lineage that includes the M235i Racing, M240i Racing, and the M2 CS Racing, this latest machine sticks to the formula: accessible, fast, durable, and an absolute hoot to drive. “The new BMW M2 Racing will redefine the entry-level segment,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “It delivers on everything customer teams need - pure performance, long-lasting engineering, and most importantly, it’s a thrill on the tarmac.” The numbers? Try 230 kW and a top speed north of 270 km/h, all from a B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. Yep, you read that right – four cylinders. Cue the purist uproar. BMW ditched the classic inline-six here in favour of the lighter, more cost-effective setup. It may not be tuner's paradise, but it’s all about balance and budget – this car’s designed to race hard and run lean. Mated to a 7-speed ZF automatic, the M2 Racing gets a motorsport-specific exhaust system, a cooling setup borrowed from the S58-powered cars, and a proper mechanical limited-slip diff. Underneath, it’s the familiar G87 M2 chassis, just beefed up with race-spec hardware where it matters most.
Priced at €98,000 (net), or in the region of a cool R1,989,677.34 at 13th May’s exchange rate for the base version in the EU, it’s a tempting gateway for teams looking to break into competitive racing without breaking the bank. That’s around R400,000 more than the regular BMW M2 here in South Africa. It seems other people out there have a mad disposable income available for these things. According to Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing, the goal was clear: “Bring driving pleasure, performance, and intuitive handling into a package that’s easy to run and easier to race.” Testing is already in full swing, with M works drivers - including Jens Klingmann - giving it a proper thrashing. Klingmann says: “It’s the perfect tool for everyone - whether you’re new to track days or chasing podiums. It’s seriously fun and brilliantly engineered.” From local sprint races to international endurance events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the M2 Racing will be everywhere come 2026. And with full support from BMW M Motorsport experts, privateer teams will have the tools and the backup to take on the world, one apex at a time. Track weapon, wallet-friendly if you don’t earn Rands, and full of Bavarian soul – the M2 Racing might just be the best way into proper motorsport yet for those with the means in Europe.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the latest offering from BMW M that's aimed at getting (wealthy) enthusiasts on track in a well-sorted BMW M car. The powerplant is a lil odd though: BMW M2 RACING – A True Gateway to Motorsport. | BMW M
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