German auto tune-up shop Lightweight Performance has recently celebrated ten years in business by releasing a special version of the BMW M235i Convertible, complete with a carbon body kit and an engine upgrade.
True to its motto – ‘Not just beautiful, but also fast’ – the team has persuaded the stock BMW N55 powertrain to output 428 horsepower (319 kW) to the wheels instead of the usual 370 hp (276 kW). This necessitated replacing the entire exhaust system, including the downpipe, and re-programming the ECU.
The car also received a full carbon-fiber aero kit including a front spoiler, a rear diffuser, mirror caps, a radiator grillr, and a hood cover. The tuner installed ‘staggered’ wheels (20” front, 21” rear) and dropped the ride height using Bilstein Clubsport coilovers.
The end result was put to test at the Sachsenring, where it scored 1:34.15, coming nearly a second ahead of the limited-issue M2 CS.