RE: New 'grass roots' BMW M2 racer previewed

RE: New 'grass roots' BMW M2 racer previewed

Wednesday 31st July 2019

New 'grass roots' BMW M2 racer previewed

Circuit-honed straight-six coupe will be available for privateer entries next year



BMW will provide the all-new M2 racing car with its competition debut this weekend at the Nurburgring’s VLN race, before the model is offered for sale to privateer teams ahead of the 2020 season. The M240i Racing successor comes as the manufacturer continues to ramp up its global motorsport presence - which has included the introduction of the new 3 Series to the BTCC. The M2 has been developed to conform with a variety of series around the world, including, of course, the ‘Ring’s own annual 24-hour race. The model will join the M6 GT3 and M4 GT4 in BMW’s expanding motorsport customer base.

Ahead of the M2’s racing debut on August 3rd, BMW has delivered a trailer featuring the stripped-out M2. The footage confirms that it’ll get all the motorsport hallmarks, including an FIA roll cage, pair of bucket seats and an Alcantara-clad motorsport steering wheel. A fixed rear wing and what looks to be a larger front splitter also feature, while underneath there’s likely to be adjustable coilover suspension and uprated brakes, complete with ducting to direct cold air onto the calipers. 


Since this is billed as a “grass roots” racer (relatively speaking, of course), there are unlikely to be many other changes to the technical setup. The road-going M2 Competition’s twin-scroll twin-turbocharged straight-six, essentially a detuned version of the former M3/M4 3.0-litre, will remain unchanged, producing the same 410hp and 405lb ft of torque – if it’s allowed to run without any series restrictors. While full details are yet to be confirmed, it’s likely that the M2’s DCT auto will remain responsible for cog-swapping, since there’s no boost in engine output and it’ll be cheaper than switching to a proper racing sequential.

On that note, there’s no word on pricing, but the old M235i racer cost from about seventy thousand euros, meaning the M2 should add a few thousand to that figure. Grass roots indeed. Still, who wouldn’t love a go in a race-tuned M2? If we had the money…

Author
Discussion

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,897 posts

205 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
I wonder how difficult it would be to make it road legal? That would be interesting.

chunkytfg

134 posts

180 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
70K for a 'Grass roots race car'


Seriously PH!!! thats like suggesting you should start out in a Porsche cup car with your novice license as they wont let you enter Le Mans 24h first!!

Someone needs to go and have a look at the definition of grass roots racing!!

400SE Dave

1,296 posts

170 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
chunkytfg said:
70K for a 'Grass roots race car'


Seriously PH!!! thats like suggesting you should start out in a Porsche cup car with your novice license as they wont let you enter Le Mans 24h first!!

Someone needs to go and have a look at the definition of grass roots racing!!
think they make it pretty clear in the article it is not grass roots!!

chunkytfg

134 posts

180 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
400SE Dave said:
think they make it pretty clear in the article it is not grass roots!!
Ah yes. My bad. scanned over the article to find the price after seeing the 'grass roots' headline!

My Bad!

ZX10R NIN

27,495 posts

124 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Not a bad price for a fully sorted car, now making it road legal shouldn't be to much of a challenge as it'll have lights wipers etc.

LateStarter

67 posts

77 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Not a bad price for a fully sorted car, now making it road legal shouldn't be to much of a challenge as it'll have lights wipers etc.
It's a race car why would you want to drive it on the road?
That, for me, would just be frustrating and boring as you can't get anywhere near the limit on public roads.


unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
chunkytfg said:
400SE Dave said:
think they make it pretty clear in the article it is not grass roots!!
Ah yes. My bad. scanned over the article to find the price after seeing the 'grass roots' headline!
let's say it's more like: croquet lawn roots wink


Nearlyretired

77 posts

90 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
I can't get to the "Limit" safely on the road in my standard M2,to try is wreckless,
and have done track days,and competitive Motorsport!
This car would be dangerous in the hands of a begginer!


Edited by Nearlyretired on Thursday 1st August 08:35

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
If you're spending £70k on a race car, why wouldn't you buy a Ginetta G50/G55 or another, specific product instead?

Radical, Ginetta, ex-Porsche cup car, single seater etc, all easily found in budget.

ishay

145 posts

97 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
Norbury90 said:
I wonder how difficult it would be to make it road legal? That would be interesting.
Article says the engine and gearbox are unchanged. So you’re looking at suspension and weight changes mostly. Putting some weight back in making it road legal, surely you’re just left with the original road car with harsh suspension and no interior

Thurbs

2,780 posts

221 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
47k euros for a Clio Cup car makes this look a bargin.

Not entry level by any stretch but if you are looking at going GT racing, this would be a good first step. Couple of seasons in Britcar etc and then work your way up.