BMW 635CSi at the Group 2 Swiss Hillclimb Race

Way back prior to the Group A racing kick off in 1982, the FIA’s Group 2 racing was where crazy fast cars used to battle it out. Group A and Group 2 racing are actually similar in a sense that the two races have the same concept. However, regulations wise, Group A had a lot more because the organisers wanted to make sure that the cars used here are not just created for the race but cars that people can actually spot on the streets. Way before those regulations, there was the BMW 635CSi. See it on a hillclimb drive, here:

Group A regulations now demand that at least 5,000 units of the car have to be sold to the market before FIA can accept it in any event that they sponsor.

Undoubtedly, BMW’s gran tourer in the 1970s and early 1980s was the E24 6 Series. It was an easy choice when it comes to racing and it became the go to model.

The BMW 635CSi was powered by an M30-based straight six engine in the beginning. It delivered more than 200 horsepower. In the video above, a Group 2 model is shown and this was built before 1982 so it had a different powerplant. It carried the M30B34 engine that was specifically upgraded for racing specifications. Eventually, it was changed to the M30B35 and M88/3 to make the 635CSi and M635CSi model versions road legal.

The raw racing versions commonly deliver more than 300 horsepower. It was prepared for racing by stripping down the interiors. Target weight was no more than 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs). Back then, ABS was just a fancy acronym so it will require a brave soul to actually go in an drive these cars. So this hillclimb drive pushing the car to the absolute limit is not for the fainthearted!