While the rest of the auto world is transfixed on the Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211 and the Tokyo Motor Show->ke1834, BMW->ke178 Motorsport is taking the under-the-radar approach in introducing its latest race car: the M235i Racing.

Based on the new 2 Series, the M235i Racing was built to be a competitive and ultimately successful entry-level racecar->ke148.

On the surface, the M235i Racing looks like a conservatively modified 2 Series that just came with M Performance billing. But the lack of substantial modifications didn't come by accident, something BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said was born out of the impressive components that already come out of the BMW M Performance program.

"The range is already incredibly sporty," Marquardt said. "Because of this, we did not have to make many modifications in order to get the BMW M235i Coupe up and running as a racing car."

Updated 01/20/2014: BMW unveiled a new series of images of the upcoming M235i Racing car before the car's official debut at the 2014 DTM racing series.

Updated 02/10/2014: BMW unveiled a new video revealing how the M235i Racing is built. Enjoy!

Click past the jump to read about the 2014 BMW 2 Series

2014 BMW M235i Racing

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW M235i Racing
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 333
  • Torque: 340
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Updated 12/09/2013: BMW Motorsport unveiled a new video featuring the M235i Racing showing the car in action on the race track. Enjoy!

BMW Teaser

Back when BMW showed this teaser photo of the M235i Racing a few weeks back, we didn't know what to make of it. But with the new photos and new details now available, the race car turned out to be as good as advertised.

Exterior Details

The BMW M235i Racing has been fitted with all the basic racing amenities using BMW M Performance Parts, including front and rear spoilers, carbon-fiber mirror caps, and a new rear diffuser.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

175.35 in.

Max. width (without mirrors)

73.31 in.

Height

54.33 in.

Wheel base

105.90 in.

Max. track width

63.31 in.


Interior Details

Like any true race car, a big chunk of the luxury and comfort amenities were taken out in favor of race-spec materials that'll ensure that the M235i Racing performs up to its highest racing capabilities while adhering to the driver's safety.

A Recaro Pro Racer SPG racing seat was installed and fitted with a six-point racing harness courtesy of Schroth. There's also a DSMB-certified and FIA-approved cage to keep the driver wrapped in a safe cocoon when he's competing out on the track.

Interior 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

Drivetrain and Performance

The M235i Racing will be powered by a 3.0-liter, TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine that produces 333 horsepower, nearly identical to the 322-horsepower output of the standard M235i.

Likewise, race-spec driving aids like ABS, DSC, and traction control were also installed, as was a limited-slip differential to keep the racecar in tip-top shape when it begins competition at numerous racing series like the VLN Endurance Championship.

Suspension and Brakes

Any race car worth its salt needs to have reinforced suspension and brakes. It's not like you racers can just roll out the block and enjoy a joy ride while other cars drive past it. The object is still to win, hence, the importance of improved suspension and brakes.

BMW addressed this by installing new suspension springs from H&R, including a 2-way anti-roll bar on the front and rear of the racer. Likewise, a high-performance motorsport braking system was added with the front getting treated to a 4-pot fixed caliper with Performance Friction capabilities. As for the back, a BMW M Performance 2-pot braking system was put in place, ensuring that the race car can take full advantage of the upgrades while also making good use of the added tech on the race car.

Price

Any racing team interested in the BMW 235i Racing can avail of the race car for just €59,500, which is about $80,000 based on current exchange rates.

Competition

2013 Opel Astra OPC Cup

The 2013 Opel Astra OPC Cup was actually unveiled a year ago to compete in this season's VLN Endurance Championship. When the 2014 season rolls around, the Astra OPC Cup will have one new competitor on the block: the M235i Racing.

The Astra OPC Cup competed in the 2013 season and was built to fully comply with "VLN Endurance Championship" standards, considered as the most popular grass roots racing series in Europe.

2014 BMW 2 Series

BMW's current line-up is beginning to be chock-full of impressive models. The latest one to be added to the group is the 2014 BMW 2 Series, a larger and sportier version of the entry level 1 Series.

The new 2 Series Coupe features the usual design elements we have seen in all the coupe models from BMW: a three-box body with clearly defined boot and low-slung silhouette, a long bonnet, doors with frameless windows and a dynamically stretched roofline flowing smoothly into the rear end.

The most powerful version of the BMW 2 Series is the M235i, which comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine that cranks out a stout 322 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm, and 332 pound-feet of torque between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm.

Conclusion

There's always a novelty that comes with a new sports car that has been turned into a full race-spec machine. That's the case with the BMW M235i Racing. If we were a team in search for a car, we're definitely going to look seriously at the his race car, in large part because of BMW's rich racing pedigree and the fact that the car really has the kind of racing potential that can spell the difference between a title contender and a pretender.

Tack on further racing modifications on the M235i Racing and it should be ready to go and compete against the best of the VLN Endurance Championship.