BMW is giving the M2 its first-ever all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Purists need not worry, all-wheel drive is optional. Potential buyers can still opt for the traditional rear-wheel-drive version if they prefer.

The BMW M2 with M xDrive will launch in late summer 2026.

The car maintains the same M TwinPower Turbo engine of the regular M2. The inline six-cylinder motor produces 473 hp, just as it does in the standard M2.

The six-speed manual transmission of the regular M2 is not available on the all-wheel-drive car. Instead, the car is fitted with the M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, an automatic gearbox.

Rear-wheel bias

The M xDrive system uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case, which gives the drivetrain a fully variable and smooth transmission of power to the front and rear axles.

The system has a rear-wheel bias.

In normal driving mode, power is sent just to the rear wheels.

Once the wheels begin to lose traction under a heavy foot the system sends power to the front wheels.

Drivers can also adapt the characteristics of the all-wheel-drive system to their preferences.

An available 2WD mode, with the dynamic stability control deactivated, sends power to the rear wheels only.

BMW said this “unlocks a driving experience of remarkable purity.”

Improved acceleration

What the M2 with M xDrive gives up in driving purity, it gains in performance.

BMW compared the car’s acceleration time to the standard M2, which won’t disappoint.

Zero to 100 km/h arrives in 3.7 seconds, 0.3 quicker than in the RWD version.

With a one-foot rollout, the sprint is quickened to 3.4 seconds.

Other performance figures include:

• 0 to 200 km/h – 12.8 seconds (12.5 with one-foot rollout)
• 80 to 120 km/h – 3.7 seconds
• Top speed – 250 km/h (electronically limited)
• Top speed with M Driver’s Package – 285 km/h

Other elements of the M2 with M xDrive

The compact performance car rides on M light-alloy wheels measuring 19 inches up front and 20 at the rear.

M Compound brakes with six-piston calipers on the front wheels handle stopping. The rear wheels get single-piston calipers.

There are five metallic and three solid colours to choose from, as well as six from the BMW Individual range of colours, including, for the first time on an M2, the car is available in the BMW Individual Borusan Turkish Blue colour.

Production starts in summer

The car will be assembled in Mexico alongside other M2 models. Production is set to begin in August.

Canadian prices were not provided.

For updates, visit the BMW Canada website.

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