BMW M235i Racing (Cup / Club Racing)
The BMW M235i Racing is BMW Motorsport’s purpose-built entry-level customer race car, based on the F22 2 Series and designed to give amateur and club racers a proper rear-wheel-drive touring car experience. It blends manageable performance with real race-car hardware, including aerodynamic upgrades, a stripped interior, racing brakes, and a durable turbocharged six-cylinder.
Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)
Powertrain: 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 (BMW N55-based), front-mounted, longitudinal
Total Output: 333 hp (245 kW)
Redline: ~7,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed sequential race gearbox
Weight: ~1,430 kg
Dimensions: ~4,463 mm long × 1,774 mm wide × 1,415 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,690 mm
Tires: Slick/competition tires on lightweight race wheels
Brakes: Motorsport ventilated discs with multi-piston calipers
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
In the Simulator Feel
The M235i Racing is a forgiving, momentum-based club racer that feels far more approachable than a full GT3 car, yet still rewards clean inputs and proper racecraft. It has enough power to be lively on corner exit, but not so much that it becomes intimidating, making it a great platform for learning weight transfer, trail braking, and throttle discipline.
Engine & Sound: The turbocharged inline-six delivers a smooth, muscular pull with a muted but purposeful race-car tone. It lacks the drama of a high-strung naturally aspirated engine, but the mid-range torque makes it feel strong and usable everywhere. Turbo spool and intake noise are noticeable, especially under load.
Handling Characteristics:
Cornering: Stable and predictable on turn-in, with mild understeer if you overdrive the front end.
Traction: Good rear grip for its class, but it will still step out if you get greedy with throttle on corner exit.
Braking: Strong and confidence-inspiring, with enough modulation to teach proper threshold braking.
Top Speed: Competitive on medium-length straights, though it’s more about consistency than outright pace.
Driving Style Tip: Keep it smooth and tidy. The M235i Racing shines when you prioritize exit speed and flow rather than aggressive entries. It’s especially fun on tighter club circuits where mechanical grip and consistency matter most.
Livery & Aesthetics: The car has a clean, understated BMW Motorsport look — wide arches, a modest splitter and rear wing, and classic race livery potential. It feels like a proper customer racer: purposeful, realistic, and easy to imagine on a packed grid of touring cars and GT machinery.
Whether you're training, hot lapping, or racing wheel-to-wheel, the BMW M235i Racing delivers an authentic and accessible rear-drive race-car experience that’s perfect for drivers stepping up into full circuit competition.