The eager German automaker does not care that the BMW M2 has been with us slightly longer than a year now. And because of the fact that they do not care about this fact, we have a situation where their freshly built prototype with 365 HP and a turbocharged 3.0 L straight six unit performance coupe has already been seen on public roads in Germany undergoing tests.
2017 BMW M2 Release Date
As you can see from the images that are available to us, this will definitely be a lightly facelifted model that should be introduced sometime in the second half of 2017.
Although it is wearing some camo on, you can very clearly see that the new headlamp and tail lamp design will be a shining point of the upgraded M2. But this model isn’t the only one that will receive this facelift, apparently, other less powerful versions of the 2-series coupe and cabriolet, including the recently introduced 248 HP turbocharged 2.0 I4 cylinder powered 230i and 335 HP turbocharged 3.0 L straight six M240i are receiving the same treatment.
The front headlamps come with the same shape as the one on today’s models, but the inside of them will change, meaning they are receiving new LED design with altered octagonal corona rings and main beam projectors. The back lamps will also be redesigned, and they going to adopt new lenses featuring a similar horizontal themed LED enhanced graphic like the one that can be found on the existing model. What else can be “clearly” visible is the upgrade that is going to impact the front bumper of the facelifted BMW M2. It is probably the only part on the car that is well hidden, but under the disguise, a slightly wider kidney grille, as well as altered air duct styling for the more efficient air supplying of the engine bay and front brakes, can be noticed.
When you take a look at the facelifted 2017 BMW M2, you can see that the sill beneath the doors has been restyled as well. The side look on the car also reveals another redesigned part, and that is the rear bumper that has now received a different diffuser that hosts a new middle section. You can also clearly see that this prototype is running bigger exhaust tips than the ongoing model which can only mean that the facelifted M2 will get a larger exhaust system for more free air flowing properties, which impacts the performance of the vehicle.
Engine
On the topic of the engine, we can tell you that the recent speculations and rumor suggested that the facelifted M2 might adopt a new B58 specification unit, but thanks to Autocar, now we know that this will not happen. According to reports, it will hold on to the older N55 engine until the planned introduction of a second generation model in 2019. As you probably know, the RWD BMW performance coupe (in its current form) is offering 365 HP and 433 lb-ft of torque and can make a run from 0 to 62 MPH in 4.3 sec, and that is all done in combination with an optional 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.
Another speculation regarding this vehicle concerned its drive orientation, where some speculated that it would feature an optional four-wheel drive in a move similar to the M240i xDrive, but this was denied by the M division. Only one clear change in the mechanics of the facelifted BMW M2 is the upgraded brake package featuring new discs and calipers.
