Official: BMW Reveals Full Details on M235i Racing
Photo courtesy of BMW
A month ago, BMW made an official announcement that it would be releasing a factory prepped ‘race ready’ version of its BMW 2 series coupe. Now, to follow up well on their promise, they’ve drafted an official press release (below) with some details into just what exactly this product-based race car entails.
- 333 HP/332 lb TQ through its 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Race-tuned ABS, DSC and traction control
- Stopping power through 4-pot calipers (front) and 2-pot calipers (back)
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- KW dampers + H&R suspension componenets
- 6-point racing harness and Recaro bucket seats with an FIA-certified roll cage
- Optional passenger seat
All priced at ~ $82,000 USD
Photo courtesy of BMW
Though a laundry list of shiny new parts doesn’t necessarily make a race car, we’re confident the upcoming M235i racing is up to the challenge as it follows in line with its predecessors: The M3 DTM, M3 GT4, Z4 GTE/Gt3, and 320 TC.
With a reported 30 pre-orders already placed, we’re eager to see what the feedback will be once these start hitting the consumer tracks.
Photo courtesy of BMW
Official press release as follows:
THE NEW BMW M235i RACING.
INTRODUCTION.
BMW Motorsport is expanding its range of cars within the BMW Sports Trophy Customer Racing programme: from 2014, privateer BMW teams and drivers will have the opportunity to line up at events with the new BMW M235i Racing. With a price of 59,500.00 Euros (excl. VAT) and impressive performance figures, the production-based coupé meets all the basic requirements of a successful entry-level racing car.
The plan is initially for the car to be used in series and events such as the VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Looking ahead, the BMW M235i Racing should also be successful on international stages for BMW Sports Trophy drivers.
BACKGROUND.
The motorsport genes are also easily recognisable in the production version of the BMW M235i Coupé, courtesy of the aerodynamically optimised body design. It is propelled by the most powerful petrol engine developed so far for a BMW M Performance Automobile: a six-cylinder in-line engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology. With a capacity of 2,979ccm, the racing version is capable of generating 333hp (245kW).
Motorsport-specific driving aids such as ABS, DSC and traction control ensure that the motorsport newcomers can also handle the BMW M235i Racing surely and safely. The car also comes with mechanical limited-slip differential, which is also available for the BMW M235i Coupé in the Original BMW Parts range. The racing car is also fitted with features such as the FIA-certified safety cell and the modern safety tank. On top of this come components from the BMW M Performance Parts range, such as the rear and front spoilers, diffusor and carbon wing mirrors.
WHAT THE BMW MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR SAYS…
“The basis our engineers had to start with when developing the racing version of the BMW M235i Coupé was exceptionally good.
The production models from the BMW M Performance Automobiles range are already incredibly sporty. Because of this, we did not have to make many modifications in order to get the BMW M235i Coupé up and running as a racing car. BMW Motorsport can look back on a long tradition of allowing ambitious teams and drivers an affordable way into motor racing – and of offering them an absolutely competitive car. While the BMW Z4 GT3 spearheads our range, the new BMW M235i Racing means we are now also excellently positioned for the coming years in the field of production-based racing cars.”