The new £83k BMW M2 Racing gets a 309bhp four-pot and Minecraft block-style livery

This is BMW’s new entry-level M2 racing car, built for entry-level racing drivers, and stickered up with an entry-level price. And the big news is that it swaps out the road car's 3.0-litre 'S58' straight-six for the ubiquitous 'B48' 2.0-litre turbo four shared with cars like the M135 and M235i.

Still packs a punch, though, BMW claiming 309bhp/310lb ft. And that engine power - transferred to the rear wheels via a seven-speed gearbox and mechanical diff - is adjustable depending on where you're racing. Top speed? 168mph+.

The de-cylindered M2 Racing gets a bespoke exhaust and catalytic converter, giving it a completely new set of vocals. You’ll also get a set of KW dampers pinched from BMW's GT3 program. There are motorsport-grade brakes with reinforced caliper cooling in place too, which is particularly useful considering these small bits of metal can get as hot as the Central Line at rush hour during races.

Once your attention is diverted from the striking livery, comprising many pixelated blocks coloured in BMW’s typical racing palette, you’ll spot 18in forged matte black alloys, a small tank filler neck slung along the right rear window, plus a lightweight carbon roof. Because centre of gravity and all that. And also to help drop the Racing’s weight down by over 200kg from standard, now dipping below 1.5 tonnes.

The cabin still gets most of the familiar interfaces and screens, albeit a slightly revamped dashboard with more race-focused bits like a pit lane speed limiter. There’s a welded safety roll cage and a fire extinguisher in there too, plus a single bucket seat in place with the option of a passenger seat. The air con is fully functioning as well, for when the cabin heats up to even scarier Bakerloo Line-like levels.

BMW has set an asking price of €98,000 (£83k) for the Racing, a bit more than the six-pot road car which starts at £67k. See you at the N24?