Watch the BMW M2 Crush Its Ring Lap

Jörg Weidinger took the smallest M car around the Ring in 7 minutes 38.71 seconds. Slower than the M4

The G87 BMW M2 is officially the fastest car in the compact segment to lap the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife. With Jörg Weidinger at the wheel, the bone-stock M2 handled the 154 turns of the Green Hell in just 7 minutes 38.71 seconds. Thanks to BMW M on YouTube, we have a chance to watch the onboard madness.

The Nordschleife has become the ultimate playground for automakers over the past few decades, with engineers and racers alike constantly battling for segment leading performances. BMW might not be as obsessed with chasing these records as other automakers, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of doing so. This particular effort was backed by an eight man crew, which included Weidinger on driving duty. The team struggled through uncooperative weather during their practice sessions ahead of the attempt, which ensured they were unable to get a full lap under a timer before test day. Weidinger would also only get three cracks at the record on the day before the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires called it quits. Like all the usual record runs, the time was recorded with a flying start from the start/finish line in track section T13.

Of course those Cup 2s weren’t the only thing helping Weidinger around the track. The new M2 is a larger and more potent machine than its predecessor, despite mirroring much of the same recipe. The car itself is 4.1 inches longer and 1.3 inches wider than the first-generation M2, and sits 0.3 inches closer to the ground. Under the hood sits the same 3.0-liter S58 inline-six as you’ll find in the M3 and M4, but detuned to “just” 453 hp and 406 lb-ft. This particular car featured the eight-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is available. Nobody will fault Weidinger for sticking with the auto in this case, as it surely allowed the driver to maximize all the braking zones. The shove of that turbo six is undeniable in the footage, but the car’s poise in the high speed corners is arguably more impressive. The car might not be as quick as something like the M4 CSL around the Ring, but it doesn’t keep bad company. Weidinger’s lap was quick enough to best the likes of the Audi RS3 and Honda Civic Type R, while besting the outgoing M2’s lap time by over 13 seconds. We can’t wait to see what a more potent M2 CS is going to be capable of doing.

Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.

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