BMW M2 Sets New Nürburgring Lap Record with M Performance Track Kit
Unleashing the Beast: M2's Record-Breaking Dominance
The M2's Unexpected Nürburgring Triumph: How a Standard Model Beat its Hardcore Sibling
More than a year after the M2 CS set a new benchmark as the fastest production compact car at the Nürburgring, BMW has again rewritten the record books. This time, it wasn't the M2 CS that took the spotlight, but the standard M2, enhanced with a specialized M Performance Track Kit. This feat is particularly remarkable given that the upgraded standard M2 carries an additional 35 kilograms and has 50 fewer horsepower than the M2 CS. Yet, it managed to shave half a second off the previous record, clocking in at an impressive 7 minutes and 25 seconds.
Jörg Weidinger's Masterful Drive: Piloting the M2 to New Heights on the Green Hell
The record-setting run was once again performed by veteran driver Jörg Weidinger, who skillfully navigated the M2 around the treacherous Nordschleife. This achievement places the M2 with the Track Kit ahead of even more powerful BMW models like the M3 CS Sedan (7:28) and the M3 CS Touring (7:29), though it still trails the M4 CS (7:21) and the M4 CSL (7:18) – the fastest production BMW on the circuit. All these records were established on the full 20.8-kilometer configuration of the iconic German track.
The Steep Price of Performance: Unpacking the M Performance Track Kit's Value
The exceptional performance of the standard M2 is largely attributable to the M Performance Track Kit, an upgrade that comes with a substantial price tag of €23,500 in Germany. This cost is nearly equivalent to purchasing a new Mini Cooper One. The comprehensive package includes a range of track-focused enhancements, such as a manually adjustable swan-neck carbon-fiber rear wing, inspired by BMW's M4 GT4 Evo and GT3 Evo race cars.
Aerodynamic and Suspension Innovations: The Core of the M Performance Track Kit
Beyond the striking rear wing, the Track Kit features an adjustable front splitter and a sophisticated coilover suspension system that allows for four-way adjustable rebound and compression damping. Drivers can also lower the ride height by up to 20 millimeters and benefit from adjustable support bearings. Additional aerodynamic elements, including wheel arch diffusers and aero flicks, are integrated into the package, along with a dedicated scoop beneath the front engine oil cooler to optimize heat dissipation.
Optimizing Grip: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS Tires and Track-Specific Adjustments
For its record attempt, the BMW M2 with the M Performance Track Kit was fitted with optional, ultra-grippy, yet road-legal, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires – the same semi-slick rubber used by the M2 CS during its previous record lap. While the kit maintains the M2's road legality, certain components, like the front splitter and rear wing, are designed for track-only use in their most aggressive settings. These elements were optimized in a wind tunnel and generate an impressive 200 kilograms of additional downforce across both axles at speeds of 124 mph (200 km/h), significantly enhancing stability and grip during high-performance driving.
Beyond Horsepower: The Unforeseen Potential of the M2 and Future Challenges
The M Performance Track Kit is not exclusively for new M2 buyers; it can also be retrofitted to existing rear-wheel-drive models. BMW hinted that the M2 could have achieved an even faster lap time if not for challenging conditions, including high temperatures and an oil spill on the T13 section of the Nordschleife. The question remains whether Audi will respond to this new record with its hardcore RS3 Competition, though it is speculated that without a significant improvement over the M2's time, Audi might choose to remain silent on the matter.