Photo: Baldauf
When the M3 and M4 switched to the CLAR platform, BMW had to drop the Getrag GS7D36SG dual-clutch transmission in favor of the 8HP torque-converter automatic from ZF Friedrichshafen. The switch further allowed the Bavarian automaker to gift its compact executive thrillers with xDrive all-wheel drive, which makes a huge difference from a dig and in the twisties.
Twinned with the M3 and M4, the M2 comes exclusively with rear-wheel drive. With the G87 boasting the aforementioned CLuster ARchitecture, chances are the M2 will receive all-wheel drive in the near future. BMW Blog understands that BMW is close to giving the M2 xDrive the green light, although it will be a slow burn.
As per the cited publication, the most capable M2 of them all would arrive in 2026. It's not clear, however, if we're dealing with a 2026 or a 2027 model. BMW Blog further understands that project decisions can be taken as late as 18 months prior to the start of production, which might sound a little unrealistic. On the other hand, remember that BMW already knows how to integrate the performance-oriented version of xDrive – officially dubbed M xDrive – in the CLAR vehicle architecture.
If the M2 were to receive xDrive, it's pretty obvious that it's going to weigh a little more than the rear-drive specification. For reference, the M4 Competition tips the scales at 3,880 pounds (make that 1,760 kilograms) compared to 3,979 pounds (1,805 kilograms) for the M4 Competition xDrive. With the M2 8AT rated at 3,814 pounds (1,730 kilograms), the M2 xDrive would – in theory – weigh around 3,913 pounds (1,775 kilograms).
Did you catch the 8AT from earlier? That's the other downside of M xDrive, which isn't compatible with manual transmissions. The manual in the M2, M3, and M4 – referred to as GS6-53BZ – is a ZF design as well.
With the M2 CS expected to rock 518 horsepower (525 ps) from its 3.0-liter S58 twin-turbo sixer, it's easy to imagine the M2 CS getting xDrive all-wheel drive for year-round usability. The worst-case scenario would be for the base tune of the S58 to receive xDrive, although that's not actually a bad thing. The Life Cycle Impulse of the G87 is due in August 2024 for the 2025 model year with a bit more power to its name. As per Bimmerpost's ynguldyn, look forward to 475 horsepower.
It's not clear if ynguldyn refers to metric or mechanical horsepower, though. 475 ps converts to 469 hp, whereas 475 hp converts to 482 ps. Bimmerpost's brigadier general claims that BMW is also preparing a few visual upgrades, including a handful of new wheel designs.
The G87 is BMW's most affordable M car as of August 2023. Manufactured in Mexico rather than Germany, the M2 carries a starting price of $63,200 – excluding the destination charge – in the United States.
As per the cited publication, the most capable M2 of them all would arrive in 2026. It's not clear, however, if we're dealing with a 2026 or a 2027 model. BMW Blog further understands that project decisions can be taken as late as 18 months prior to the start of production, which might sound a little unrealistic. On the other hand, remember that BMW already knows how to integrate the performance-oriented version of xDrive – officially dubbed M xDrive – in the CLAR vehicle architecture.
If the M2 were to receive xDrive, it's pretty obvious that it's going to weigh a little more than the rear-drive specification. For reference, the M4 Competition tips the scales at 3,880 pounds (make that 1,760 kilograms) compared to 3,979 pounds (1,805 kilograms) for the M4 Competition xDrive. With the M2 8AT rated at 3,814 pounds (1,730 kilograms), the M2 xDrive would – in theory – weigh around 3,913 pounds (1,775 kilograms).
Did you catch the 8AT from earlier? That's the other downside of M xDrive, which isn't compatible with manual transmissions. The manual in the M2, M3, and M4 – referred to as GS6-53BZ – is a ZF design as well.
With the M2 CS expected to rock 518 horsepower (525 ps) from its 3.0-liter S58 twin-turbo sixer, it's easy to imagine the M2 CS getting xDrive all-wheel drive for year-round usability. The worst-case scenario would be for the base tune of the S58 to receive xDrive, although that's not actually a bad thing. The Life Cycle Impulse of the G87 is due in August 2024 for the 2025 model year with a bit more power to its name. As per Bimmerpost's ynguldyn, look forward to 475 horsepower.
It's not clear if ynguldyn refers to metric or mechanical horsepower, though. 475 ps converts to 469 hp, whereas 475 hp converts to 482 ps. Bimmerpost's brigadier general claims that BMW is also preparing a few visual upgrades, including a handful of new wheel designs.
The G87 is BMW's most affordable M car as of August 2023. Manufactured in Mexico rather than Germany, the M2 carries a starting price of $63,200 – excluding the destination charge – in the United States.
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