It’s hard to deny that BMW has really managed to build some range into its lineup of adrenaline-boosting M cars. For every standard model, it seems that there’s a spiky CS B-side, or an unhinged CSL, or a subtly uprated Competition model. The almost Taco Bell-like ability to pull several variants out of the same core ingredients is impressive, and this run isn’t over yet. Just look at the M2, because for the second-generation model’s third year of production, BMW’s offering it with a whole lot more traction.
If you were to, say, line a standard M2 up on an airport runway against an Audi RS3, you’d find the BMW to be somewhat traction-limited off the mark. Alright, very traction-limited, especially in surprisingly explosive CS form. Botch the launch, and you’d be seeing nothing but Audi taillights. In the real world, this isn’t much of a problem, but BMW’s gone and rectified it anyway by chucking 132 pounds of all-wheel-drive hardware at the problem.
Granted, the all-wheel-drive M2 is kneecapped in the weirdest way. In the M3 and M4, ticking the box for all-wheel drive also rings up a 523-horsepower state of tune. However, ticking the same xDrive box in the M2 just means it makes the same 473 horsepower as the standard rear-wheel-drive model while removing the option of a six-speed manual. That’s a 50-horsepower deficit over its bigger brother, but it likely won’t matter to the tube-and-an-email squad. Even in bone-stock spec, the M2 xDrive promises a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, three tenths quicker than a rear-wheel-drive M2 and quick enough to make a lot of fast metal sweat. Plus, have you ever seen the size of a German horse? If history’s any indication, that quoted figure may be on the conservative side.
Granted, if you do want to have a bit of slidey fun, the M2’s new optional all-wheel-drive system features the same trick as all-wheel-drive M3s, M4s, M5s, and M8s: a rear-wheel-drive-only mode. Which brings us to the weird part of this whole thing: The M2 was always supposed to handle like a puppy on a linoleum floor, sliding and wriggling about through every change in direction. It was a little too juvenile to be so buttoned-down, so why give it all-wheel drive? I reckon it might be because the M4 is a bit big.
The original two-door M3 was properly compact, a pint-sized terror unleashed on the touring car circuit. Two generations into the two-door’s M4 name change, however, and it’s larger in every single dimension than the E31 8 Series of the early ’90s. You know, the conspicuously large grand tourer with available V12 power. It’s also nigh-on the same length as a 6 Series from the mid-2000s, and brushes up close to the two-ton mark in all-wheel-drive guise. Hell, it’s only two-tenths of an inch shorter than an early-2010s Volvo XC90. The current M4 is a big car, full-stop. That leaves room for the M2 to expand.
Is it the right direction for the M2? I’m not so sure. It will almost certainly be fantastic in winter, but there’s not much reason to celebrate a car getting heavier. Sure, the updated transfer case control unit is probably brilliant, and the new-to-the-model shade of Boustan Blue looks fabulous, but I can’t help but worry about what this means for the future of BMW’s smallest M car. In an age of all-wheel-drive automatic everything, the standard car being none of those things is a point of identity. Read into that what you may.
So, if you want a quick, all-wheel-drive, automatic-only coupe that’s about the size of an E90 M3, the new M2 xDrive is probably just what you’re looking for. It’ll enter production soon in Mexico, and while BMW hasn’t announced pricing, we can make an educated guess. If all-wheel-drive carries the same premium here as it does on the M3 Competition, expect a sticker of around $75,000. We’ll know soon enough, and even if this doesn’t tickle your fancy, the M2 xDrive is worth keeping an eye on. Depending on take rates, it could shape the future of BMW’s smallest M model.
Top graphic image: BMW
Fourplay is the name of a delightful smooth jazz quartet from the 90’s-2000s
Since I know this, I realize I am absolutely not the target market for this over-engineered GrandAm.
But even over-engineered GrandAms do not need AWD – particularly those sold south of the Mason/Dixon line
This car is a non-event for me. Surely just a step more in the direction the market is moving, so expected.
Also in terms of squeezing variants from sporty nameplates, nobody beats Porsche.
Same argument as Toyota adding an auto to the GRC. Options are good. If AWD or autos aren’t your cup of tea, nobody’s forcing you to buy one in that configuration (yet).
Yet being the key word here.
I haven’t driven a G87 but I do like them. That being said, they’re already quite portly in rear wheel drive guise. I get that Ze Germans are fully convinced they could engineer their way into making a neutron star feel fleet footed, but this will clock in at about 4,000 pounds. I’m sure it’ll be fast as all get out in a straight line, but I can’t help but feel like it’s going to be a less enjoyable car dynamically.
I’m of the mindset that if you need all wheel drive and/or a semblance of practicality in your M car an M3 should do nicely. But what do I know, I’m a doofus on the internet and my finances don’t have me in a position to acquire either. Also…if you must have all wheel drive the M240i is already there, it’s cheaper, it’s faster than a RWD M2 if you care about that sort of thing, and it’s rated for 26 MPG combined which is absurd for an engine that puts out nearly 400 horsepower.
I’m kinda with Thomas to be honest, I’m not sure that I see the point of an AWD M2 unless you’re purely chasing numbers…and that’s no way to go through life as an enthusiast.
EDIT: it weighs 3,988 pounds. Woof…
I agree with you 100%.
Unfortunately, the large majority of buyers of these types of cars are not car enthusiasts in the way you and me understand them.
Hence this “M2 Quattro” makes perfect sense.
You are correct, the vast majority of M, AMG, etc. cars are bought by social media “influencers”/clout chasers, young nepo babies, tech robber barons, etc. They don’t care about anything other than numbers on paper, and since this is the fastest M2 that’ll be more than enough.
Which brand new performance cars are typically bought by those who are pure of heart?
Not singling you out here, because the feeling seems widespread that no one who buys anything new that’s expensive or fast is a “true enthusiast”. Just something I find curious, in that in this telling, “bros” or other less desirables seem to be buying up everything at the expense of the long-suffering enthusiast.
I actually think this is an issue that’s unique to BMWs and other German stuff gets dragged in as well. I’m not sure how familiar you are with what’s going on in my neck of the woods, but there’s a revolting social media fad called “swimming” in which detestable bros are weaving in and out of traffic with reckless abandon and getting tons of views on social media.
M cars are the weapon of choice and they’re ridden hard and put away wet. If you do a search for M cars in the NYC area in particular like half of them will have rebuilt titles or serious accidents in their history because so many are wrecked in the name of clout chasing. There are a bunch of videos and articles about it out there if you’d like to dig deeper, but these do seem to attract a uniquely nefarious audience that’s acquiring wealth through uniquely nefarious means. M cars are also quite popular among the crowd that thinks it’s a good idea to buy your teenager a six figure car as a sweet sixteen gift.
Some dipshit teenager here in the DMV caused a huge accident during rush hour by going 120 in a 55 in their new M3 that daddy bought them. That being said, I think your question is valid though and I agree with you that it’s a widespread attitude that I definitely contribute to. I’m not necessarily sure that I have an immediate answer, but naturally a Blackwing or IS500 are what comes to mind in this price range because it’s a real “if you know you know” type of situation.
Sorry. What?
I am speechless.
For the first time, in quite some time I Can say I don’t hate the look of this ting, and the blue is pleasant enough. Might put this on my list of used cars to consider in ten years 😀
What in the everloving Bavarian wurst is “the tube-and-an-email squad”??
My dating strategy during COVID.
Cold Air Intake and tune via email I believe. It’s a fun turn of phrase for sure.
I know it’s just a visual flourish for the top shot, but please don’t give the Germans any more bad ideas about things that could be illuminated than they’ve already got.