You can now spec the outrageously drifty BMW M2 with four-wheel drive

The BMW M2 is famously a small (ish) rear-wheel-drive performance coupe fond of turning its back two tyres into plumes of delicious rubbery smoke. BMW has now introduced a new version that wants to trade some of that sideways lunacy for buttoned-down traction.

Well, sorta. This is the BMW M2 with M xDrive, a clunky name for a car with the option of a (we presume) non-clunky four-wheel-drive system. It’s the first time BMW has ever offered such a thing on the M2, and while not a direct rival, does M have one eye on the unflappable RS3?

We shall never know. What we do know is the xDrive setup gets an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to direct some of the M2’s 476 horsies to the front depending on when it needs to keep pointing the way you want.

So when you’re just pootling around, it’s fully rear-drive. When it’s more ‘crap everything’s on fire’ and the rears start to scream, the front steps in to help. It’s aided by an active M differential with traction control and stability control. Plus, it can figure out and compensate for different wheel speeds without waking up the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).

You can also just gaffer tape the front axle closed for business, via an option in the menu to turn it into 2WD mode (with the DSC deactivated). This, says BMW, “unlocks a driving experience of remarkable purity”. Yeah… just like the current BMW M2 without xDrive.

Just like the current BMW M2, there’s the familiar – and quite lovely – 3.0-litre turbocharged sixer up front with pre-chamber combustion tech pinched from BMW’s racing cars. It’s an auto ‘box as standard, and BMW quotes 0-62mph in 3.7s – three tenths up on the RWD-only M2 – 0-124mph in 12.8s, and a top speed of 155mph.

You can make it Really Blue (‘Borusan Turkish Blue’), specify track tyres on the 19in/20in alloys, and a 177mph top speed via the M Drivers’ Pack.

“This fundamentally upgraded car lays down the performance generated by its straight-six engine with even greater poise and assurance, and adds maximum control, stability and acceleration in any conditions to its dynamic repertoire," said Alexander Karajlovic, BMW M's VP of development.

BMW M will start knocking these things out in August 2026, and the priority markets have been highlighted as the USA, Germany and China. If you’re reading this in the UK, it’ll cost you £74,255.