BMW's New M2 Racing Car Spied at the Nurburgring, Competitional Debut Scheduled for 2026

With production of the road-going F87 ending in 2021 and the G87 rolling out in late 2022 for the 2023 model year, it should come as no surprise that BMW is actively developing a successor based on the second-generation M2.

Enter the "new BMW M Motorsport Entry-Level Car" with minimal camouflage on its body panels. Teased in August 2024, then beautified with a vividly colored wrap in October 2024, this fellow is due to start racing in the 2026 season. Best described as the most appropriate stepping stone to the M4 GT4 EVO, the newcomer is expected to cost a little more than the M2 CS Racing it's replacing.

When it was brand-spanking new, the forerunner used to retail at 95,000 euros. The M4 GT4 EVO is 219,900 euros before taxes and extras. Given the aforementioned, there is no denying the yet-to-be-named racecar is a triple-digit machine in European currency.

Pictured at the Nurburgring, said racecar completed four hours of racing without missing a beat. Entered by folks at FK Performance Motorsport and driven by Max Hesse and Jens Klingmann in cold weather conditions, the race-prepped G87 appears to be more than simply a lightweight M2 with a stripped-out interior and race-spec rubber.

It could be our first look at BMW's upcoming M2 CS, which is due to enter series production at the San Luis Potosi assembly plant in August 2025. Think of the Competition Sport as the most badass incarnation of the G87 to date, although there's a case to be made for a CSL as a swansong for the six-cylinder coupe.

Based on available information, the second-generation M2 Coupe is going the way of the dodo in June 2029. We further understand the M2 CS will be automatic only, for its engine reportedly produces too much torque. In this application, hearsay suggests 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (650 Newton-meters).

By comparison, the manual-equipped M2 is capped at 453 and 406 (550) versus 473 and 443 (660) for the ZF-supplied automatic. Similar to the regular M2, the Competition Sport is rear-wheel drive. Still, due to its CLAR underpinnings, BMW can easily add M xDrive to the mix in order to move a few more cars. But alas, M xDrive further means auto to the detriment of rowing your own gears.

Equipped with M-specific quad tailpipes, the racecar flaunts a beefy roll cage, a lightweight racing seat, a motorsport-spec harness for the driver, and a production Alcantara steering wheel and carbon-fiber center console. It's also equipped with the dual-screen dash of the road-going model.

Be that as it may, remember that BMW still has plenty of testing to do before it can take the veil off the replacement for the M2 CS Racing. Chances are it will debut in late summer 2025, giving customer teams enough time to prep for the 2026 season.