BMW M2 M Performance Parts Concept Hits Goodwood Festival of Speed

While old school BMW enthusiasts love to criticize their favorite brand for spoiling itself with electronic steering and sacrificing fun for technology, proponents of other automakers claim Bavarian Motor Works has flat out ruined itself. However, the truth of the matter is that BMW still offers an array of suburb performance vehicles that many still find highly desirable — especially if their name begins with the letter M.

Even if the brand can’t use “The Ultimate Driving Machine” quite so liberally in 2018, it would be an untruth to suggest the M division is ignoring the well-heeled enthusiast community. But it doesn’t hurt to have a physical reminder, so BMW sent a rolling example of its motorsport catalog to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The “M Performance Parts Concept” is based on the lovely little M2, which was recently replaced by the more hardcore M2 Competition, and serves as a reminder that the German automaker has a genuine interest in building highly competent performers — and will help you take them to the next level for a fee.

We like these kinds of concept vehicles because they represent something tangible. Whimsy is nice, especially if it helps push through new technologies and stunning designs. But the frequency at which those vehicles enter into the real world is limited and you have to wait years before seeing a watered-down production version. Meanwhile, the M Performance Parts Concept is of the now and based on a model that currently exists. You could own one if you so desired.

While slightly showy, the majority of the M Performance enhancements on the M2 are focused on saving weight. According to BMW, the concept is 132 pounds lighter than a stock M2 thanks to an abundance of carbon fiber. The grille, hood, roof, trunk lid, side mirrors, rear diffuser, vents, and aero winglets have all been replaced using lighter materials. Under normal circumstances the swap would result in an incredibly bold two-tone affair, but BMW decided to paint the coupe in carbon black — helping to mask the changes.

The wheels are also lighter. BMW substituted the standard M2 alloys for a set of 19-inch M Performance hoops in “frozen gold” that weigh 13 pounds less. New seats save almost 20 lbs while a featherweight lithium-ion battery shaves off another 31.

Despite the concept’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter powerplant going untouched, BMW did see fit to upgrade the suspension. Its M Performance coilovers can be lowered by 20mm and come with adjustable compression (12 stages) and rebound (16 stages).

While the pale gold trim accenting the car’s interior and exterior may require some DIY, the rest of the goods are already on offer via BMW’s Performance Parts catalog — much of it available for retrofitting. Of course, these enhancements aren’t limited to the M2, either. The brand will happily hook up any vehicle with whatever parts it has in stock.

[Images: BMW]