Before BMW M Performance Parts were a thing, the array of alluring componentry fell under the simple name BMW Performance. Almost fifteen years ago, one of the first collections was unveiled for the non-M E46 3 Series, and the individual parts have appreciated significantly since, with certain pieces now fetching a few multiples of their original list MSRP. Over the same period, BMW hasn’t stopped development of their own aftermarket improvement catalog, and the offerings of today are a far cry from the tacked-on carbon fiber splitters and mirror caps that previously helped bolster the collections. In fact, things have even come a long way from the excellent exhaust systems that were sold for platforms like the E90 and E82.
At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, BMW unveiled the never-before-seen M2 M Performance Parts Concept, which is quite literally bristling with the hottest and most attractive components. We posted an in-depth summary of the M Performance Parts assortment that’s currently coming online for the M2 Competition a few months ago, but the new concept shows off a nice sum of the parts, with a few previously-unseen pieces that have enthusiasts very excited.
BMW has established itself as a master in the world of carbon fiber over the past several years, and the investment is paying off in areas beyond the Carbon Core construction of new and recent models. While BMW Performance parts have always offered some form of carbon fiber which was usually integrated for purely aesthetic purposes, the new collection is now using the material because of its substantial weight savings. In addition to available kidney grilles, there’s also a carbon fiber M Performance hood which saves nearly eighteen pounds over the factory sheet metal design. Side panels shave an additional seven pounds while optimizing airflow, while front and side winglets make for an aggressive appearance.
A carbon fiber M Performance roof approximately thirteen pounds lighter than standard is scheduled to become available in March of 2019, while the a carbon trunk lid is also slated to join the lineup in November of this year, shedding an additional eleven pounds. There’s also a matching diffusor which surrounds the quad exhaust, which tips the scales and one pound less than the normal design.
Moving to the interior, yards of Alcantara surround occupants on the seats, door panels and controls. An M Performance steering wheel (Pro version) is fitted, with integrated suede for the main grip areas, while the parking brake boot uses more of the same material. M Performance carbon fiber seats look like a nice evolution of the previous version from several years ago, which occasionally change hands for five-figure sums. Other photos also show rear seats that follow the same pattern and design, which make being an aft passenger seem a bit more appealing, all while saving nearly 30 pounds over the standard bench. M Performance trim finishers constructed of carbon fiber and Alcantara reinforce the race-bred personality, and velour floor mats with matching gold stitching tie things together.
Wheels are a nineteen-inch set style 763M Y-spokes, finished in a shade of Frozen Gold than continues the visuals seen elsewhere. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are mounted in the photos, and weight savings equates to an impressive thirteen pounds per. The suspension is also lowered twenty millimeters thanks to M Performance coilovers, which offer twelve different adjustment stages for compression and another sixteen for rebound. Springs were painted black for the M2 M Performance Parts Concept, and so were the multi-piston brake calipers which bind eighteen 18″ rotors. A lighter battery is also used, with that part alone accounting for nearly 31 pounds being shed.
BMW’s previous lines of Performance Parts always offered at least a small amount of improved performance and handling, but in recent months, the collections have grown substantially. The current assortment of components is very exciting when looked at individually, but the sum of the array looks to have potential for completely transforming the M2 in ways that were previously unimagined.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]