It was in 2014 when the BMW 2 Series Coupe came to replace the outgoing 1 Series Coupe, and shortly following its release, BMW revealed a couple of cool iterations wearing the M235i badge. By time we turn the calendar to 2015, we will have the even more powerful M2. For the first time in the compact's career, BMW opted to develop a customer race car under the M235i Racing moniker. Lighter and more powerful than the standard version, the race car is already a common sight in the VLN Endurance Championship and a handful of them managed to run a full 24-hour race at Nurburgring this year.

With the M235i shaping up into a hell of a rival for the compact sports cars such as the Audi TTS or the Nissan 370Z, a brawnier version of the coupe is rolling out in Germany as we speak. This time it's not BMW->ke178 that's responsible for the mighty racer; rather TuningWerk, a small company known for updating any BMW and Mini it can get its hands on, is the mastermind behind this one. Meet the BMW M235i RS, the most powerful 2 Series ever created.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 BMW M235i By TuningWerk.

2014 BMW M235i RS by TuningWerk

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW M235i RS by TuningWerk
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 444
  • Torque: 442
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The first thing that catches the eye while looking at TuningWerk's take on the M235i is its M Performance-inspired livery. The trademark red and blue stripes adorn the car's nose and hood, and highlight its beefed-up rear fenders. The body updates don't stop here though. A carbon-fiber lip spoiler placed underneath the front bumper improves aerodynamics, while a fixed rear wing provides additional downforce.

To save weight, TuningWerk ditched the standard rear diffuser and replaced it with a carbon-fiber unit that sports a race-style configuration. Behind that, there's a stainless-steel axle back exhaust system shooting a deeper note through a pair of brand-new tailpipes. Gone are the factory wheels, as a set of lightweight, multi-spoke rims replace them. Although they are rather subtle, these updates are bound to make the M235i faster and more agile at the track.

Interior

Don't let the slightly beefed-up exterior fool you, the interior still carries most of its luxury amenities. However, a set of Recaro bucket seats come in to provide the necessary grip while taking fast turns at the track. Mounted on bespoke slide rails, the seats still feature regular seat belts, but a set of race-ready, six-point harnesses can be added as an option. Also as option is a roll cage designed to fit in the rear part of the cabin, which no longer includes the standard bench.

Unfortunately, the Germans opted to keep the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. A flat-bottomed, sports steering wheel would have been more appropriate considering the vehicle's performance-oriented purpose.

With all the weight-saving measures applied inside and out, TuningWerk managed to reduce the car's overall weight to 3,285 pounds with a full tank. The standard BMW M235i tips the scales at a little more than 3,500 pounds.

Drivetrain

This is where the major updates kick in. At the heart of the M235i TuningWerk lies the same 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, but the output now sits at 444 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. That's a 122-horsepower and 110-pound-feet improvement over the standard M235i. In fact, this track rocket generates more power than the almighty M4 Coupe, which comes with 425 ponies on tap.

All that power goes to the rear wheels through a manual gearbox aided by a sports clutch and pushes the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds. Moreover, the M235i needs just 15.4 seconds to reach 120 mph from a standstill and TuningWerk says it can lap the Hockenheimring race track in one minute and 11 seconds. This puts the Bimmer on par with vehicles such as the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the Corvette Z06 or the Porsche 911 GT2 on the said course.

If these figures aren't impressive enough, TuningWerk is willing to drop yet another turbocharger into the engine bay as an option. However, the Germans make no mention of the improvements that come with it, but it should enable the six-banger to generate more than 460 ponies.

Suspension

The M235i RS rides on a stiffer, track-prepped suspension system that can also be fitted with heavy-duty struts on request. The 18-inch, forged-steel rims come wrapped in Dunlop SportMaxx RT tires, while stopping power is provided by an in-house, Brembo-adapted braking system. The front axle is fitted with 350-by-34-mm (13.8-by-1.3-inch) race-ready discs with six-piston calipers, while the rear axle benefits from a combo provided by BMW's M Performance division. An optimized DSC/ABS controller setup is there to ensure the M235i RS brakes like a proper race car.

Price

The BMW M235i RS by TuningWerk retails from €65,000 ($88,400 as of 06/24/2014) before the optional roll cage, seat belts, and the additional turbocharger. Unfortunately, this fast and nimble compact racer isn't available in the United States.

Competition

BMW M235i Racing

Based on the new 2 Series, the M235i Racing was developed as a competitive entry-level race car for the masses. Crafted with input from BMW's M Performance division, the M235i Racing sports an aerodynamically enhanced body kit and many racing amenities taken from BMW M Performance Parts stock.

While the exterior isn't radically different when compared to the stock M235i, the interior tells a completely different story. Gone are luxury and comfort features available in the regular BMW, and in come FIA-approved racing parts. These racing bits include a professional roll cage, a six-point racing harness, and a Recaro Pro Racer driver's seat.

Motivating the M235i Racing is the same 3.0-liter, TwinPower Turbo, six-cylinder engine found in the regular coupe. The mill cranks out 333 horsepower, which accounts for a 11-pony improvement over the standard model. Additionally, the race car benefits from race-spec ABS, DSC and traction control systems, a limited-slip differential, and reinforced suspension and brakes. Pricing starts from €59,500 ($80,900 as of 06/24/2014, making it only €5,500 ($7,480) cheaper than TuningWerk's RS.

Conclusion

With the M235i already a back-to-the-roots BMW, TuningWerk's RS update only comes to improve on that status. The M235i RS is undoubtedly the most potent iteration of the 2 Series, outpacing both the upcoming M2 and the slightly uprated Racing version offered by BMW. Making things even better is the fact that it costs only slightly more than the M235i Racing. Sure, the latter benefits from FIA's approval for many events, including the Nurburgring 24 Hours, but the RS comes in a unique flavor, one that many enthusiasts and gentleman racers alike might find appealing.