Based on the upcoming BMW 2 Series and aimed at amateur and semi-professional racers, the 2014 BMW M235i Racing is a stripped-down, race-spec coupe ready to take on the Nürburgring in the VLN Endurance Championship race series against cars from Audi, Porsche and Toyota.

Obvious in the image above (click to enlarge), BMW has given the M235i Racing the wide-body treatment with a track that has been stretched by 3.5 inches. Under the hood, the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder receives a power boost from a stock 322 horsepower up slightly to 333 hp, while other modifications include a full FIA roll cage, a racing fuel tank and a limited slip rear differential.

The M235i Racing replaces the M3 GT4 as BMW's factory racer, and it will be priced at 59,500 euros (close to $80,000), which is about as affordable as a factory-prepped racecar can get. The full press release is posted below, but we can't wait to see this car in action next year.

Full story: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/20/bmw-m235i-racing/

 

I like it.
I'm looking forward to the street version as well.

 

Pretty good deal for a factory (lightly) prepped race car!

 

Agreed. I guess the big question will be whether the turbo motor can handle racing.

 

I agree with you. Iirc the E46 M3 had an inline six out of 3 or 3.2 liters putting out 333 hp. Don't get the reason for turbocharging.

Seems like a good deal for a factory track car but I don think it's coming stateside

 

 

Sh#@!, I just spent over $100,000 converting an 04 M3 E46

 

I raced w/ a guy @ COTA earlier this year that had a E46 M3 Cup Car (Factory Built). It was imported from Germany, not too many of them from what I understand.. It was SOOOO nice! Be curious to see if this is a similar build, i.e.. Bare Bones.

 

Friends of mine's are going to run VLN with that car.

 

More details:

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.

Here is the BMW M235i Racecar

Here are the first photos and official specs:

DIMENSIONS
Length: 4,454mm
Max. width: 1,862mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1,380mm
Wheel base: 2,690mm
Max. track width: 1,608mm

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
Straight six-cylinder petrol engine
BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo
Capacity: 2,979ccm
Output: 245kW (333bhp)
Torque: 450Nm
Racing exhaust with racing catalytic converters
Steering wheel with shift paddles
BMW M Performance limited-slip differential
TANK Motorsport safety tank

SUSPENSION / STEERING
KW dampers
H&R suspension springs
Front: H&R anti-roll bar (2-way)
Rear: H&R anti-roll bar

BRAKES
Front: High-performance motorsport braking system -
Performance Friction (PFC); 4-pot fixed calliper
Rear: BMW M Performance 2-pot braking system

ABS / DSC / ASC
BMW Motorsport specific racing application

TYRES / WHEELS
18×10 inch alloy rims

SAFETY COMPONENTS
Cage with DMSB certificate and FIA approval
6-point racing harness from Schroth
Racing seat RECARO Pro Racer SPG
EXTRAS Taxi seat, incl. belt
XL driver’s seat


http://www.bmwblog.com/2013/12/15/bmw-m235i-racecar/

 

Love to grab a used one in 2 or 3 years

 

Wonder what kind of oil they use?

 

Wow....just....wow.

C.

 

Now all we need is price and availability…

 

I'm dreaming that this will start a trend: factory manufactured affordable club race cars!
BMW, Porsche, Honda, Mazda, Audi, Toyota....