diff --git a/doc/source/contributor/apiv2.rst b/doc/source/contributor/apiv2.rst
index 2568bba8c9..5ebe95eb31 100644
--- a/doc/source/contributor/apiv2.rst
+++ b/doc/source/contributor/apiv2.rst
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ API Version 2 Development
 
 The sahara project is currently in the process of creating a new
 RESTful application programming interface (API). This interface is
-experimental and will not be enabled until it has achieved feature
-parity with the current (version 1.1) API.
+by-default enabled, although it remains experimental.
 
 This document defines the steps necessary to enable and communicate
 with the new API. This API has a few fundamental changes from the
diff --git a/etc/sahara/api-paste.ini b/etc/sahara/api-paste.ini
index 75fb01df6e..54a9762309 100644
--- a/etc/sahara/api-paste.ini
+++ b/etc/sahara/api-paste.ini
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 [pipeline:sahara]
-pipeline = cors http_proxy_to_wsgi request_id acl auth_validator sahara_api
+pipeline = cors http_proxy_to_wsgi request_id acl auth_validator_v2 sahara_api
 
 [composite:sahara_api]
 use = egg:Paste#urlmap
-/: sahara_apiv11
+/: sahara_apiv2
 
-[app:sahara_apiv11]
-paste.app_factory = sahara.api.middleware.sahara_middleware:Router.factory
+# this app is given as a reference for v1-only deployments
+# [app:sahara_apiv11]
+# paste.app_factory = sahara.api.middleware.sahara_middleware:Router.factory
 
-# this app is only for use with the experimental v2 API
-# [app:sahara_apiv2]
-# paste.app_factory = sahara.api.middleware.sahara_middleware:RouterV2.factory
+[app:sahara_apiv2]
+paste.app_factory = sahara.api.middleware.sahara_middleware:RouterV2.factory
 
 [filter:cors]
 paste.filter_factory = oslo_middleware.cors:filter_factory
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ paste.filter_factory = oslo_middleware.request_id:RequestId.factory
 [filter:acl]
 paste.filter_factory = keystonemiddleware.auth_token:filter_factory
 
-[filter:auth_validator]
-paste.filter_factory = sahara.api.middleware.auth_valid:AuthValidator.factory
+# this filter is given as a reference for v1-only deployments
+# [filter:auth_validator]
+# paste.filter_factory = sahara.api.middleware.auth_valid:AuthValidator.factory
 
-# this filter is only for use with the experimental v2 API
-# [filter:auth_validator_v2]
-# paste.filter_factory = sahara.api.middleware.auth_valid:AuthValidatorV2.factory
+[filter:auth_validator_v2]
+paste.filter_factory = sahara.api.middleware.auth_valid:AuthValidatorV2.factory
 
 [filter:debug]
 paste.filter_factory = oslo_middleware.debug:Debug.factory
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/apiv2-preview-release-b1ee8cc9b2fb01da.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/apiv2-preview-release-b1ee8cc9b2fb01da.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1299ccc2f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/apiv2-preview-release-b1ee8cc9b2fb01da.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Sahara's APIv2 is now exposed by default (although its state is
+    still experimental). It has feature parity with Sahara's APIv1.1,
+    but APIv2 brings better REST semantics, tweaks to some response
+    payloads, and some other improvements. APIv2 will remain labeled
+    experimental until it is stabilized following the addition of new
+    features to it in the coming cycle(s).