In recent months, a new BMW has consistently appeared on the starting grid of the Nürburgring Endurance Series. Initially still well camouflaged with ‘prototype wrap,’ and after the DTM season opener, officially on track in full ‘M war paint.’
Since the 2025 Nürburgring 24-hour race, the new BMW M2 Racing has been available to order. Priced from €98,000 net, the race car is designed for motorsport teams seeking a versatile entry-level racer without the high budgets required for a GT4 or GT3 season. The first official race outings of the 313 hp (230 kW) BMW M2 Racing are scheduled for the 2026 season.
Essentially, the new BMW M Customer Racing entry-level model is the successor to the BMW M235i Racing and BMW M240i Racing. Even for these former ‘club sport race cars’ in the BMW M Customer Racing program, we developed, manufactured, and supplied the dampers. And that’s once again the case with the new BMW M2 Racing.
Homologated KW motorsport suspension
The KW V1 SP Racing suspension is homologated for the BMW M2 Racing, meaning every race car is equipped with this suspension system, manufactured at the KW headquarters. Due to regulations, the KW V1 SP Racing dampers do not feature adjustable valves. As a result, all M2 Racing cars run a standardized damper setup. Additionally, we equip the compression valve with a non-adjustable blow-off function, allowing the car to handle curbs effectively.
To structurally counteract the high lateral forces that occur in modern sports cars and production-based race vehicles like the BMW M2 Racing, we build the KW V1 SP Racing suspension using KW upside-down (inverted tubes) struts for both the front and rear axles. By the way, the ‘SP’ in the name of this motorsport coilover stands for ‘Solid Piston,’ indicating that we use solid-piston dampers.
We’ve long been using solid-piston dampers not only in our KW Racing applications, but also in selected KW Clubsport and KW DDC coilover kits, as well as in the KW V5 coilover suspension. While the BMW M2 Racing is relatively close to the production model, the new KW V1 SP Racing suspension does not fit the ‘civilian’ BMW M2 G87. The race car features a different axle geometry with adjustable motorsport anti-roll bars and a significantly stiffer chassis.
Like the BMW M2 Clubsport production model, the BMW M2 Racing race car also features a carbon roof. However, the engine is not based on the S58 BMW M inline-six, but rather, under the quick-release secured hood works a revised B48 BMW inline-four. Depending on the setup, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the M2 Racing produces up to 313 hp (230 kW) and delivers a maximum torque of 400 Nm.
The seven gears of the ZF 8HP automatic transmission are shifted via paddle shifters, and the BMW M2 Racing reaches a top speed of over 270 km/h. Behind the 10 x 18-inch forged wheels, the well-known BMW M carbon-ceramic brake system is in use. In the M2 Racing, it features motorsport brake pads and additional brake cooling.
A safety cage is welded into the reinforced body shell, and the FT3 safety fuel tank is refueled via a filler neck integrated into the Makrolon rear side window. Driver assistance systems such as a ten-stage adjustable traction control and a configurable pit speed limiter are standard equipment, as is the air conditioning. The standard dashboard and display have been adapted for motorsport use.
From the very beginning, the development brief for the BMW M2 Racing specified that the race car should combine ease of use with low operating costs. Optional extras include a passenger seat package, an air jack system, a rear wing, a data logger package with adapter harness and GPS antenna, an exhaust system with adjustable valve, endurance brake pads, the Sabelt GT-Pro driver seat package with adjustable seat rails, endurance and start number lighting, and a ballast box for additional weight.
The BMW M2 Racing is built directly at the BMW plant in Mexico and delivered to motorsport customers after a rollout. In 2026, we’re sure to see the new BMW M2 Racing at the ADAC 24h Nürburgring race, in the NLS, TC America, TC France, 24H Series, DMV BMW Challenge, Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring (RCN), and many other series and championships.
Photo BMW M
