When it debuted 2016 Detroit Auto ShowBMW positioned the M2 as a smaller, more nimble alternative to the M3 and M4. It was the M car for people who wanted a pure, road-bound driving experience without the added weight, complexity or expense that all-wheel drive brings.
It was a hit.
When the bandages are removed M2 On that cold January day at the Detroit auto show, it was immediately praised by industry insiders, journalists and the general public alike. Part of the appeal was how the M2 offered a driving experience close to the M3 and M4, but at a price that was easier to justify. Despite its lighter package, the M2 seemed nimble enough for lonely back roads, but competent enough for the track.
After the M2’s debut, waiting lists in the United States soon stretched to more than a year, a sign of how hungry enthusiasts are for the German marque’s compact M car. Fast forward nearly a decade and the M2 became the best-selling high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in 2025.
Today, BMW introduces M xDrive technology for the M2, expanding the lineup without replacing the rear-wheel drive model that started it all. The new M2 with M xDrive will go on sale in late summer 2026, with a base MSRP of $74,950 including destination.
- Main Trim Engine
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3L I6 ICE
- Main Trim Transmission
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6-speed manual
- Basic Trim transmission
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Rear wheel
All-wheel drive with a rear-wheel drive spirit
Drivers can configure the system
M xDrive is BMW’s proprietary all-wheel drive system that uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transmission to distribute power between the front and rear axles. The system is rear-facing in design, staying true to the M2’s original character.
During normal driving, power is delivered only to the rear wheels, the front wheels are engaged only when the rears are unable to provide power to the road.
QuizBMW M2 trivia
Read and test your knowledge
From engine specifications to lap records, how well do you know BMW’s smallest M car?
PerformanceHistoryDesignEngineCompetitors
What year did the first generation BMW M2 (F87) go on sale?
That’s right! The F87 BMW M2 was launched in 2016, filling the void left by the beloved 1M Coupe. It was an instant hit with driving enthusiasts who wanted a focused, rear-wheel-drive sports car.
Not quite. The first generation BMW M2 (F87) was released in 2016, not earlier. It was positioned as a more accessible entry point to the M range compared to the M3 and M4.
What engine was the original BMW M2 Competition (F87) equipped with?
Spot! The M2 Competition used the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged S55 directly from the M3 and M4. This engine upgrade over the base M2’s N55 block gave the Competition significantly more power and sharper throttle response.
Close, but not quite. Rather than a unique unit, the M2 Competition used the S55 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six taken directly from the M3 and M4. It was a huge improvement over the base M2’s N55 engine.
How much power does the second generation BMW M2 (G87) produce?
Correct! The G87 BMW M2 gets 430 horsepower from its S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine. It’s the same engine family used in the M3 and M4, tuned specifically for the lighter M2 platform.
Not quite. The second generation G87 has 430 horsepower from the BMW M2 S58 engine. That number puts it in truly serious performance car territory and gives it a strong edge over many rivals in its class.
What platform is the second generation BMW M2 (G87) based on?
Excellent! The G87 M2 is built on BMW’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, which it shares with the G80 M3 and G82 M4. This gave BMW engineers a strong, modern foundation to create a solid, balanced sports car.
This is not correct. The G87 M2 uses BMW’s CLAR platform, shared with the larger M3 and M4. This modern architecture provided significant improvements in stiffness and weight distribution compared to the previous generation.
Which limited edition version of the F87 M2 was produced in 2019 with a manual transmission as standard?
Correct! The M2 CS was introduced in 2019 as the final version of the F87 generation. It comes with a standard six-speed manual, carbon fiber body panels, and a boost of up to 444 horsepower, making it one of the most sought-after modern BMWs.
Not quite. The limited-edition model was the M2 CS, which came standard in 2019 with a manual transmission and 444 horsepower. It also featured lightweight carbon components and became one of the most collectible versions of the F87 generation.
Which car is considered the BMW M2’s most direct competitor in the performance coupe segment?
Great answer! The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is widely regarded as the BMW M2’s closest rival, offering the same focused driving experience with mid-engine balance and sharp handling. Both cars are often pitted against each other in automotive press tests.
Not the best match. While the Audi TT RS and AMG A45 S are fast cars, the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is positioned as a direct competitor to the M2 due to its similar price point, driver-oriented ethos and comparable performance figures.
What is the official 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) for the second generation BMW M2 (G87)?
That’s right! BMW officially quotes the G87 M2 for a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds. This time is achieved with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the manual version takes slightly longer.
Not quite. With the automatic transmission, the G87 M2 officially accelerates from rest to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds. That’s an impressive figure for a car that prioritizes driver engagement over straight-line speed.
What was the distinctive exterior design element that caused controversy when the G87 M2 first appeared?
Exactly right! The G87 M2’s large vertical kidney grilles caused serious debate among BMW enthusiasts during the car’s unveiling. Many fans felt the oversized grille was too polarizing, though others appreciated the bold, aggressive styling.
Not quite. When the G87 M2 debuted, it was the large vertical kidney grilles that caused the most controversy. The design has sharply divided opinion online, continuing BMW’s bold grille styling that began with the G80 M3 and G82 M4.
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M xDrive works in tandem with the Active M Differential, which manages the distribution of power between the two rear wheels. The transfer case has a special control unit with integrated wheel slip limitation, which allows it to compensate for rotational speed differences between the front and rear wheels separately from the main Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. BMW says this speeds up the process and keeps the M2 more compact in high-speed or dynamic driving situations.
Drivers can configure the system through the M Setup menu. Options include a 2WD mode with DSC disabled, which sends torque to the rear wheels only, giving drivers the same experience as the standard M2. A 2WD mode is available as an option, meaning owners can switch between all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive at will.
M TwinPower Turbo technology
The M Driver Pack increases the maximum speed
With M xDrive, the M2 can hit 100 mph in 3.6 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the rear-wheel drive version (which is reduced to 3.3 seconds using the one-foot drift method). Top speed is limited to 155 mph or 177 mph with the optional M Driver Package.
Under the hood of the M2 is a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo technology. Mated to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, the engine produces 473 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. torque.
The curb weight of the M2 with M xDrive is 3,988 pounds. (power-to-weight ratio of 8.4), while the rear-wheel-drive M2 has a curb weight of 3,867 lbs. An additional 121 lbs. the gearbox features optional equipment from the M xDrive system, including a multi-plate clutch and front axle drive components.
- Radar band detection
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X, K, Ka
- Companion App
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Drive smarter
The Escort MAX 360c MKII is a follow-up to the standard MAX 360c radar detector. This upgraded version features a longer detection range with an updated dual antenna platform and increased false alarm filtering through Blackfin DSP integration.
Adaptive M suspension and braking systems
Specifically tuned for the M2
Every M2 with M xDrive comes standard with BMW’s Adaptive M suspension, tuned specifically for the M2 and its all-wheel drive system. At the front, the setup consists of an aluminum double-combined spring axle, while the rear is an aluminum and steel five-link axle.
Meanwhile, the braking system consists of BMW’s M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed front and single-piston floating calipers at the rear. Wheels are 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear, with optional wheels available.
Production and color palette
The M2 with M xDrive will be built at BMW’s San Luis Potosi plant alongside the rest of the M2 range, with production starting in August 2026.
Available exterior colors include five metallic and three solid options, plus six options from the BMW Individual range, including the new Borusan Turkish Blue.
For fans who value their options BMW M3 and BMW M4 both offer M xDrive, but neither comes close to the M2’s price point or its compact footprint. With the M2 starting at around $75,000 (including destination), the M xDrive positions itself as the most affordable entry point to BMW’s all-wheel-drive performance lineup, one that doesn’t require drivers to choose between roadworthiness and sportiness.
