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540HP BMW M2 ClubSport by Dähler Brings S55 M4 Engine Swap

The main gripe that purists have with the M2 is that its engine is not, technically, a BMW Motorsport spec engine.  It still makes monster power but is less able to cope with sustained high G forces than the M4’s S55-series motor. Daehler (or Dahler) of Switzerland now has a three-pack of custom M2s as showcases of their tuning skills.  The standard coupe, an M2 Convertible (!) and now this M2 Clubsport.  With the S55, it is the “CS competitionline.” Parts can be shipped worldwide for local installation, or they will happily sell you a complete vehicle as well.  That might …

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Gallery: AC Schnitzer 30th Anniversary in 200 Photos

Anniversaries are a nice vote of confidence in any company.  But when the total years is less than 30 or so, the business is usually still pretty new.  Recordkeeping was usually poor and the products sometimes laughable in hindsight. You better believe this last bit applies to the tuned car business.  AC Schnitzer is one of the best – broadening from their first M3 and 635CSi offerings into MINI, Range Rover and every fast BMW since.  But the company did keep records, and it does celebrate its weirder achievements.  3 series X-Road wagon in 2001?  Or the 2003 Topster Z3 …

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2017 INFINITI Q60 Red Sport 400 – HD Road Test Review

The Infiniti Q60 is a rolling climax.  This is a car whose excellence is the stuff of dreams.  Made real, this design and powertrain come together to become the stuff of legends. One week with the car is far too short.  We can still hear its ultra-smooth twin-turbo surge toward its redline.  Still feel its back wheels break traction in the smoothest, most nonchalant drifts and burnouts ever.  And still see its stunning beauty as it becomes more special, more breathtaking from each angle. With pricing from $51k but power that nearly matches the BMW M4 costing $25k more, the …

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2017 BMW M2 Convertible!?! Dahler GmbH Makes Dream Real

  In the BMW order books, the M2 is always described as the “M2 Coupe.”  This is a strong indication that a cabrio may be in route.  Otherwise, why specify? Dahler Teknik of Deutschland has beaten BMW to the punch with the first-ever M2 Convertible. How did they achieve this?  By upgrading the bodywork and mechanicals of an M235i (now M240i) or chopping the top off an existing, and genuine, M2 Coupe? We do not know the exact answer to this. But what a specimen to behold regardless. If BMW wasn’t sure about the potential for an M2 Convertible… this …

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2016 BMW M2 By Lightweight – 690 Pound-Feet, 185MPH!

„LW M2“ by LIGHTWEIGHT Photos: Jordi Miranda LIGHTWEIGHT in Mittenaar is deeply committed to the slogan „Innovations are generated from passion rather than satisfaction“. The company’s name portrays their program, because weight reduction – for example by a titanium exhaust system in combination with a performance upgrade – provides minimal weight and maximum performance. The LIGHTWEIGHT team led by Managing Director Marc MÃœLLER chose a BMW M2 in order to optimize its weight and performance. For starters, the original version of this vehicle already comes with a mighty engine. As of now the dynamic BMW – referred to as LW …

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2016 BMW M2 – Animated Configurator, Colors, Pricing and Options

BMW has kept its new pocket-rocket’s configurator extremely simple!  Nearly everything is standard, and only a few choices along the way through the Ext, Int, Options menu prompts makes this unlike nearly any other BMW we’ve specced out before. Examples? Just four colors: Blue, Grey, Black and White. The only other choices?  Literally? Exec Pack for $1800 with auto highbeams and heated seats.  And a carbon-fiber interior upgrade option that seems skippable if you’re frugal. The only other choice? A six-speed manual transmission or the $2700 M-DCT paddle-shifter. Out the door in less than four minutes of configurations must mean…. …

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MAUS Panzer! ACL2 by AC Schnitzer is 570HP, 3.8s BMW M235i Evo

Updated 2.25.16 with official details from AC Schnitzer — who is emphatic about the lightness of the vehicle!  Our silly Maus Panzer headline speaks more to this ‘mouse’ of a 2-series that packs a punch like GTR battle tank… Will ACL2 become as fearsome a badge as GT-R?  Panzer Maus?  M2? PERHAPS! AC Schnitzer has been working its magic brilliantly on the smallest BMWs for years now. 1 series became 2 series, and the team was on it instantly!  What they have created is nothing short of the Panzer VIII ‘Maus’ supertank….  at least in its fearsome spirit, if not scale. …

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2016 BMW M2 – Laguna Seca Photoset – Jaw like Popeye, Shoulders like BRUTO!

18 photos have never packed such a punch! Look. At. This. Beast! Around Laguna Seca for the international press launch, this ridiculously fast and fun supercoupe dramatically ups the ante to Audi and AMG.  The closest you can get to this speed from outside Europe?  Definitely a pony-car killer, this M2! 2016 BMW M 2 – Laguna Seca     When BMW goes for performance glory, everyone else best stand back or be blown clear in jetwash. The new ~$130k M4 GTS reveal is being followed closely by a shadow that maintains nearly 99-percent of the big brothers’ track pace, …

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2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar Debuts with Carbon M Performance Parts

The new M2 is taking over MotoGP safety car duties from the 2015 M4 — and looks even more badass in the M livery! Check out how the red stripe lines the massive new intake fangs.  Gold wheels, a roll cage, M Performance Parts in carbon-fiber and a few other tweaks round out a gorgeous and dreamy style. 2016 BMW M2 MotoGP Pacecar     BMW M – OFFICIAL CAR OF MotoGPâ„¢. BMW M2 MotoGP SAFETY CAR. MotoGP and BMW M Division: these two partners have formed an ideal combination for almost two decades. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle …

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NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery – Day One in 180 Photos

Uh oh!  Detroit’s NAIAS is so intense for 2016, we are well past our peak of effective coverage.  What comes next?  Deep hand and forearm soreness from so much typing.  And… alas… into just outright bitchiness about some of the more questionable model reveals.  Cough… Acura, cough-cough… But we will power through!   Resist the snark! Part of that is sharing the latest showfloor photos… en masse. =] Here are 180 images from press preview day one at the Detroit North American International Auto Show.   NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery    

BMW Launches M2 and M4 Performance Parts – Coming Spring 2016

  The new BMW M2 is barely on the radar of most supercoupe shoppers just a month after its official reveal, but BMW is not waiting around to juice its new baby with M Performance Parts. The M2 and M4 wearing swish new design upgrades were the centerpieces of the SEMA 2015 show: gloss-black detailing, M color body decals, and even a carbon-fiber spoiler and exhaust system for the M4. The M2’s mods so far are purely aesthetic, and we have not seen the full car yet — just glimpses of its black kidney grilles so far. The M4 Performance …

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