Manhart Racing is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and to commemorate its three decades in the tuning game, the German tuner has released a limited edition program for the BMW M2 called the MH2 630. You might have guessed by the use of the number ‘630’ in the program’s name that it has something to do with the output of the M2. And you’d be right. At the heart of the MH2 630 tuning kit is an engine swap that brings in the M4’s N55 twin-turbo six engine tuned to deliver a whopping 630 horsepower.

That’s the headline of the program but it’s far from the only notable detail. Manhart Racing did its homework here, as it should considering the status of this particular kit. So to further the celebration of its 30th anniversary, the tuner opted to use a color finish straight out of BMW Individual. It’s called the Sunburst Gold Metallic and while I understand that it might be too flamboyant for some, those who like their M2s on the flashy side will definitely appreciate the choice of color.

In addition, the program also has an aero kit made of carbon fiber and a new set of wheels. It’s a comprehensive tune of the sporty M2, one that should attract its share of attention. Unfortunately, Manhart Racing isn’t going to build a lot of them as it’s been reported that only five MH2 630 kits will be translated into the M2s. That should keep the exclusivity level up and bolster its status as a real limited edition program that celebrates the German tuner’s 30th birthday.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

Exterior

There are plenty of exterior upgrades with Manhart’s anniversary kit for the M2. Ironically, the most noticeable of these upgrades come from BMW Individual, specifically the Sunburst Gold Metallic body finish that brings out an elegance to the M2.

For its part, Manhart Racing’s contribution revolves around a comprehensive body kit that features a vented hood, a new front splitter, larger air vents, extended side skirts, and trunk lid spoiler made out of carbon fiber. The components do more than just give the M2 a sportier look, they also enhance the sports car’s aerodynamic qualities. Lastly, the program also comes with a new set of 19-inch black wheels with brake calipers dressed in yellow and gold to match the attractive body finish.

Interior

There are no interior upgrades on this program, which is a little surprising considering how ostentatious the car’s exterior is.

Drivetrain

The highlight of Manhart Racing’s program for the BMW M2 is the engine upgrade, or should I say, engine swap. Apparently, swapping the M2’s 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder N55 engine with the M4’s meatier S55 twin-turbo six is becoming a thing these days.

Manhart Racing did just that, but it also worked on adding some more power to the S55 engine after placing it into the M2. The result is an incredible 630 horsepower, a significant increase from the M2’s standard output of 431 horsepower from its original N55 engine. No torque numbers were announced, but considering that the upgrade likely includes modifications to turbochargers and an ECU tune, an output in the vicinity of 650-pound-feet of twist isn’t out of the cards.

Speaking of keeping a lid on the details, Manhart also kept the program’s performance numbers to itself. That said, a 0-to-60-mph sprint time of under four seconds and a top speed north of 200 mph are both possibilities.

Chassis and Suspension

Unless Manhart kept this crucial detail away from us too, there doesn't appear to be any modifications made to the M2's chassis and suspension.

Pricing

No info on this end as well but people from the 7-Forum say that Manhart Racing's MH2 630 30th Anniversary M2 will cost over €100,000, or about $111,000 based on current exchange rates. That price already includes the donor car and befitting its status as a true limited edition, Manhart Racing is reportedly building just five units of this program.

Competition

BMW M2 by Dähler Design & Technik GmbH

It’s interesting that Manhart Racing is offering this engine swap for the M2 because another tuner is actually offering the same thing. Just last month, Swiss tuner Dähler Design & Technik GmbH presented its own program for the M2 that largely revolves around a similar engine swap from the coupe’s standard 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine to the M4’s own 3.0-liter twin-turbo six engine. Once the engine swap was done, Dähler proceeded to tune that engine, giving it a total of 531 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque and allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in less than four seconds to go with a top speed of 199 mph.

To Dähler’s credit, the tuner also offered a Level 1 upgrade that increase the output to 408 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, a Level 2 upgrade that further increases the M2’s output to 430 ponies and 464 pound-feet of torque, and a Level 3 upgrade that brings out 450 horsepower and and 487 pound-feet of twist out of the M2. Levels 2 and 3 also help the M2 race to a top speed of over 186 mph.

Read our full review here.

BMW M2 by Alpha-N Performance

Alpha-N Performance isn’t offering an engine swap, but it did create its own program that revolved around an EVOX Multi-channel, Chip-tuning Box and a water-injection kit, all mixed into the M2’s 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine. With these upgrades, the German tuner was able to increase the output to 480 horsepower, resulting in a 0-to-60 mph sprint time under four seconds and a top speed in the neighborhood of 180 mph.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

This is about as unique a program as you'll get for the BMW M2. The fact that Manhart Racing has identified it as its very own exclusive anniversary program speaks to the kind of work the tuner put in into making it as exclusive as possible. I can't argue with the tuner on that end because it really put in the time and effort to give this M2 a really unique look and a powerful engine swap and upgrade that befits its exclusive status.