If you thought it was tough waiting for a sales allocation for a normal BMW M2, wait until you get on the list for a 2017 BMW M2 Performance Edition, scheduled to hit the U.S. market this year. There will only be 150 of them.
The 2017 BMW M2 Performance Edition—officially the ZL9 option—is a little stripped down, but it's also a little souped-up version of the M2. Already, the M2 has been hailed as a return to BMW's motorsports roots and the M car that the world has been waiting for. The Performance Edition will take it a little farther.
Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the M2 Performance Edition is $61,695, including destination and handling. A "normal" M2 with black kidney grilles and the M Driver's package comes in at $56,590 but with the Performance Edition, you get just a little bit more for the extra $5,105
For example, the M2 Performance Edition comes with:
• M Performance coilover suspension specifically tuned for the M2
• M Performance exhaust
• Titanium exhaust tips
• Black side gills
• M Performance illuminated door sill
• LED door projectors with "Performance Edition" image
• Black kidney grilles
• M Driver's package. The M Driver's package includes a one-day M school at either BMW Performance Center and it raises the electronically limited top speed from 155 miles per hour to 168.
For the extra five grand, you also get a little bit less. The sport seats are manually adjustable with no lumbar adjustments and no heat. The upholstery and styling is the same as a normal M2, however.
Other items you won't find on the Performance Edition include Comfort Access, a Harman Kardon premium audio system (just a HiFi system), and a smoker's package. Climate control is single zone only.
You can have the 2017 BMW M2 Performance Edition in any color you like, as long as it's Alpine White. BMW says that will complement the M Performance parts. The mirror caps will be black to match the side gills and kidney grilles. Other than those and the exhaust tips, the Performance Edition should like any other white M2, making it somewhat of a sleeper.
Initial information is that the M2 Performance Edition will show up with manual six-speed gearboxes only, but some reports say that later in the production run there may be some DCTs in the mix.
Despite the manual seats, the M Performance goodies and limited production run could make this M2 a high-demand car. You probably don't want to waste any time seeing if your dealer will get an allocation.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
