BMW M2 M Performance Parts Concept Hits Goodwood Festival of Speed

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

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]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Jul 15, 2018

    The problem with modern BMWs is that they have to compete with my memory of driving my 5000 mile E30 chassis wagon along the Amalfi Coast. I'm sure the new ones are better in every way, as are my memories of my 318 wagon vs the actual car. But I just can't pull the trigger because of it. I nitpick them worse than certain commenters picking apart the latest midsized truck. It's irrational, but it is what it is.

  • Shortest Circuit Shortest Circuit on Jul 16, 2018

    I'd have to see that 'frozen gold' wheel in person, on photos it looks like the painter forgot the last layer.

  • Wolfwagen I have worked as a manager in both union and non-union locations. The best union employees were the ones who were indifferent to the union or told them to get bent. The worst ones were the ones who would run to the union for every little thing, even when it was their own actions that caused the problem or because they could not understand their own contract
  • Harry HOW i RECOVER MY LOST OR STOLEN FUNDS:You should gather and document all relevant details about the theft, such as transaction IDs, wallet addresses, and any communication with the scammer if any, and then proceed to message SYLVESTER. G. BRYANT to get back your lost/ stolen funds by sharing the evidence you've compiled. he was the only one who was able to recover my funds I was so surprised he got back my money worth $52k but glory be to God and all thanks to him.. here is his contact below: Instagram: Yt7crackerszEmail: Yt7crackersz@ gmail,com
  • Daniel J I had read an article several years ago that one of the issues that workers were complaining about with this plant is that 1/3 of the workforce were temporary workers. They didn't have the same benefits as the other 2/3 of the employees. Will this improve this situation or make it worse? Do temporary workers get a vote?I honestly don't care as long as it is not a requirement to work at the plant.
  • Kosmo Tragic. Where in the name of all that is holy did anybody get the idea that self-driving cars were a good idea? I get the desire for lane-keeping, and use it myself, occasionally, but I don't even like to look across the car at my passenger while driving, let along relinquish complete control.
  • Bof65705611 There’s one of these around the corner from me. It still runs…driven daily, in fact. That fact always surprises me.
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