The BMW M2 CS Racing competition car has
made its North American debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona last week. The new
entry-level model in the BMW M Customer Racing product range will soon pick up
where the M235i Racing and M240i Racing left off. BMW says the test and
development phase is entering the home stretch, which is why the automaker has
begun presenting the M2 CS Racing to the public, including potential customers.
Fans were able to take a first look at the
new race car which was on display in the event area near the BMW M Experience
truck at Daytona. From the start of the 2020 season, BMW M GmbH will be
responsible for the sale and distribution of BMW race cars for customer racing.
After making its first appearance at Daytona, the BMW M2 CS Racing was
presented to North American BMW dealers during a conference outside Miami.
In early March, BMW will show the car at
the TC America season-opener at Austin (USA). The BMW M2 CS Racing is scheduled
to compete in the series for customer teams from the 2021 season onwards.
Like the road-going version, the new BMW
M2 CS Racing is powered by a turbocharged S55 3.0-liter straight-six gasoline
engine. However, in the competition model, the power plant delivers between 280
PS and 365 PS, depending on the Balance of Performance or
Permit B classification.
The peak torque of 550 Nm stays the same but is sent to the rear wheels by a motorsport-calibrated
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the road car’s six-speed
manual. The M2 CS Racing features the same engine management as the M4 GT4
racer.
BMW Motorsport is also developing an
upgraded variant of the M2 CS Racing with 450 PS, which will be aimed
at the club racing segment that is becoming increasingly popular in North
America.
