BMW starts a new video series to highlight the development of the M2 race. Bavaria’s new entry -level car can bear the name “M2”, but there is a reason why it differs from the G87. The engine soundtrack that you hear during the Track tests does not come from the S58 engine of the road car. Instead, engineers have adapted a coordinated B48. Yes, there is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the bonnet.
Although the M2 race has lost two cylinders and one liter of shift, it still delivers an aggressive exhaust grade. This is largely thanks to a motorsport-specific exhaust system with a catalytic racing converter. The car has called the “Little Brother of the M4 GT4 Evo” and has already met around 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) with another 10,000 km (6,213 miles) tests that have been completed by the end of June. The big test will take place before the official racing debut in the 2026 season at the Nürburgring 24 hours.
In the meantime, the new official video from BMW gives us our first look at the M2 race in action. We were told that the racing car of the street version is much closer than the M4 GT3 Evo on its street colleague. This is important because thanks to the many common components between the two M2 variants, it means lower running costs in the racing season.
The development program included 17 tests with three different prototypes: an application car in the Munich Factory, an application car for the track test and an endurance car for component validation. The two application cars were used to evaluate which parts could be transferred from the street car and which had to be adjusted. The endurance car focused on lifelong tests on durability and reliability of the racing components.
The M2 racing celebrated its public debut during the DTM season opening in Oschersleben and will race in 2026. BMW M Motorsport rated it at € 98,000. Sales begins at the end of June and the deliveries that are expected before the end of the year. Like the traffic car, the racing car is built in the San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico, where the roller cage and all racing-specific components are installed. Before deliveries, each car is subjected to a rollout to ensure that everything works properly.
Video: BMW M / YouTube
