Preview: BMW M235i Racing
BMW has announced the official specifications for their newest competition-ready coupe. At a little over $90,000 for what is essentially a turn-key factory racecar, this spiritual successor to the M3 GT4 looks to have a lot to offer would-be private race teams.
Based on the forthcoming 2-Series coupe, the M235i Racing is 175.35 inches long, 73.31 inches wide (sans mirrors), 54.33 inches high with a wheelbase of 105.9 inches and a maximum track width of 63.31 inches.
Power comes by way of an M Performance 3.0-liter biturbocharged six-cylinder motor outputting 320 horsepower and about 325 lb-ft of torque. Weight is 3135 lb. An M Performance mechanical limited slip differential will provide the twist to the 18 x 10 inch alloys, and a race-tuned ABS system will help the 4-pot front and 2-pot rear caliper brake setup slow things down as necessary.
Uprated suspension components include H&R springs and anti-roll bars paired with KW dampers, and M235i Racing-specific DSC and traction control tuning will help drivers new to the racecar to get the most out of the car in short order.
Safety features include an FIA-approved roll cage, motorsport-specific fuel tank and a six-point harness to go along with the Recaro racing seat. An optional "taxi" seat is also available, as is an XL driver’s seat.
Set to run in the Pirelli World Challenge TC class, the car is priced at $94,636. In slightly different trim it can compete in the VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, as well as BMW Sports Trophy competition.
Winding Road Racing will be supporting touring cars in Pirelli World Challenge TC and TC-A classes in 2017. We offer complete car acquisition, preparation, transportation, set-up, testing, maintenance, data and coaching services for these cars. For a complete briefing on our program, please contact Todd Therkildsen: [email protected].
Check out the press release below for additional details.
THE NEW BMW M235i RACING.
INTRODUCTION.
BMW Motorsport is expanding its range of cars within the BMW Sports Trophy Customer Racing programme: from 2014, privateer BMW teams and drivers will have the opportunity to line up at events with the new BMW M235i Racing. With a price of 59,500.00 Euros (excl. VAT) and impressive performance figures, the production-based coupé meets all the basic requirements of a successful entry-level racing car.
The plan is initially for the car to be used in series and events such as the VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Looking ahead, the BMW M235i Racing should also be successful on international stages for BMW Sports Trophy drivers.
BACKGROUND.
The motorsport genes are also easily recognisable in the production version of the BMW M235i Coupé, courtesy of the aerodynamically optimised body design. It is propelled by the most powerful petrol engine developed so far for a BMW M Performance Automobile: a six-cylinder in-line engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology. With a capacity of 2,979ccm, the racing version is capable of generating 333hp (245kW).
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. The racing car is also fitted with features such as the FIA-certified safety cell and the modern safety tank. On top of this come components from the BMW M Performance Parts range, such as the rear and front spoilers, diffusor and carbon wing mirrors.
WHAT THE BMW MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR SAYS…
"The basis our engineers had to start with when developing the racing version of the BMW M235i Coupé was exceptionally good.
The production models from the BMW M Performance Automobiles range are already incredibly sporty. Because of this, we did not have to make many modifications in order to get the BMW M235i Coupé up and running as a racing car. BMW Motorsport can look back on a long tradition of allowing ambitious teams and drivers an affordable way into motor racing – and of offering them an absolutely competitive car. While the BMW Z4 GT3 spearheads our range, the new BMW M235i Racing means we are now also excellently positioned for the coming years in the field of production-based racing cars."
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