BMW has announced that the baby of its M family, the compact M2 coupe, will be offered with all-wheel drive for the first time. It's effectively the same 'M xDrive' system used in the M3 and M4, though tuned to suit the characteristics and proportions of the smaller M2.
So it's heavier and slower?
Yes and no. The M2 M xDrive weighs 1,790kg, which is indeed 60kg heavier than the standard rear-drive car when fitted with the same eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.
However, despite that, the all-wheel-drive variant is quicker accelerating thanks to the improved traction. BMW M quotes a 0-100km/h time of 3.7 seconds, versus 4.0 seconds dead for the rear-drive version with the auto. And in anything other than dry conditions, you can bet the M xDrive car will be better again at getting its power down.
Well, unless you delve into the driving settings, turn off the dynamic stability control and then select the "2WD” mode. I.e. it can still be a hooligan on track if you really want it to be. And BMW M promises that it's a rear-biased system at all times regardless.
Remind us, how powerful is the BMW M2?
The regular version (i.e. not the limited-production BMW M2 CS) uses BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, producing up to 480hp and 600Nm of torque.
Interestingly, the new all-wheel-drive M2 will be one of the first BMW M cars to benefit from an innovation that promises to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions when the engine is being pushed to its limits.
It's called BMW M Ignite and features a redesigned cylinder head with pre-chambers for each cylinder featuring a second spark plug. This setup allows for a lower exhaust gas temperature under certain conditions and hence a higher compression ratio.
The tech specs for the M2 M xDrive, for example, show a compression ratio of 10.5:1, while this engine's figure was 9.3:1 before the addition of the M Ignite tech.
And while the existing engines this feature will be fitted to don't get power or torque increases, we did notice that the M2's maximum torque is now available from a lower engine speed than before - 2,200rpm vs. 2,650rpm. That could also be due to the new variable-geometry turbochargers of course.
We're focusing on performance here as it's an M2, but BMW also mentions the usefulness of this new technology when it comes to meeting forthcoming 'Euro 7' legislation.
You're such a geek. Anything more superficial to tell us?
There appears to be nothing visible to tell the M xDrive M2 apart from the rear-drive one, not even a badge on the back. Though the colour shown here is new to the model. It's called 'Individual Borusan Turkish Blue', but it can be had on the rear-drive version as well, so it doesn't give the game away.
*Mumbles something about lack of purity*
On one hand, we get that, but on the other, all-wheel drive will make the sporty two-door coupe more suited to use all year round in regions where there's lots of snow, for example. And the more the M2 is bought and used, the more likely BMW will continue to produce it, which makes us very happy indeed.
Does the Irish price make you happy?
The M xDrive-equipped BMW M2 will be €126,175 on the road in Ireland, vs. €121,388 for the rear-drive model with the same automatic gearbox.