BMW takes M235i racing

It’s too late for next month’s Bathurst 12 Hour race, but you might expect a flood of baby BMWs in the mid-grid of next year’s production car classic.

BMW has announced it is building a full-line production run of racing versions of the just-launched M235i -- dubbed the M235i Racing -- for less than €60,000 in its home market and the hottest 2 Series could also become available here.

Aimed at privateer racers in the German production car VLN Endurance Championship, including the Nurburgring 24 Hour race, BMW says the M235i Racing has everything it needs to be a “successful entry-level racing car”.

It builds on the mechanical package of the M235i by including the road car’s optional mechanical limited-slip differential and boosting the power from the twin-scroll turbo motor from 240kW to 245kW. The 3.0-litre, in-line six maintains its direct fuel-injection and variable valve timing and lift and is, essentially, a production motor.

The existence of the M235i Racing goes a long way towards explaining why BMW chose to dry-sump the six-speed manual gearbox in the road car, because it will only be available as a manual, rather than using the road version’s faster-shifting eight-speed auto.

While it is expected to weigh considerably less than the 1455kg road car, BMW refuses to be drawn on an exact figure, though unofficial estimates put it at closer to 1340kg.

“The basis our engineers had to start with when developing the racing version of the M235i Racing was exceptionally good,” BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said.

“The production models from the M Performance Automobiles range are already incredibly sporty. Because of this, we did not have to make many modifications in order to get the M235i Coupe up and running as a racing car.”

What’s remarkable about the M235i Racing is that so much of it is actually available in the parts bin for the M235i. Its safety cell roll cage is obviously unique, as is the fuel cell, but the aero package eschews a large rear wing and is largely the same as the road car’s optional unit, right down to its rear diffuser.

The front and rear spoilers, the front apron and even the smaller mirrors with carbon-fibre surrounds are all part of the road car’s option list, though the thick front quarter panels and the wider track (up from 1532mm at the rear to 1608mm) are unique.

It also scores the road car’s four-piston fixed-calliper braking system at the front-end and a two-piston fixed unit at the back, though the pads obviously change for track work.

“BMW and the Nordschleife go hand in hand and it is great to see a new car like this breathing new life into this long tradition,” BMW works DTM driver Martin Tomczyk (pictured) said.

“For those starting out in motorsport, it will be a joy to take on the Green Hell in the M235i Racing. The new format of the BMW M235i Racing Cup is also extremely interesting – and exactly what BMW fans want to see at the ‘Ring.”

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