Toyota showed up to Goodwood with a camouflaged Supra in hopes of stealing the spotlight, but Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar, Brabham, and others made sure to get their own attention by bringing their latest gear. BMW was particularly eager to show off here, as next to their all-new 8 Series, they will be revealing this - the BMW M Performance Parts Concept M2.

Debuting at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car will showcase all the breadth of BMW M Performance division who spruced up the M2 to previously unimaginable levels. It is a lighter, meaner, and angrier version of the BMW M2 Coupe. Some of the parts showcased here are destined for the new BMW M2 Competition.

2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL

2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL
Specifications
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  • Model: 2018 BMW M Performance Parts concept M2 Is Like A Throwback To The M3 CSL

The Changes over the Standard BMW M2

Do you remember the BMW M3 CSL? It was lightweight, exceptionality produced only in 2004, and not available in the US. Back then, BMW slashed the weight of the regular M3 E46, jacked up the price, uprated the power of its straight-six naturally aspirated engine, called it the M3 CSL, and crafted possibly the most engaging car of the whole generation. This BMW M2 by M Performance Parts reminds me of it. While this concept is actually just a platform for showing what M Performance Parts can do and will offer for the M2, the car here is quite extraordinary.

First off, BMW M Performance parts managed to slash the weight by a quite considerable amount of 132 lbs. They did it by using carbon fiber parts wherever they could. BMW was so nice it actually told us how much every new part contributed to the weight saving. For example, changing the hood from a metal piece to a carbon-fiber piece saved 17.6 pounds. The carbon fiber roof saved another 13.22 lbs, while the tailgate is responsible for cutting an additional 11 lbs. Granted, M Performance Parts offers similar upgrades for the magnificent BMW M2 Competition, but they did not stop with just these changes in this instance. Complementing the outside carbon frenzy is a carbon fiber diffuser (1.1 lbs lighter), carbon side skirts, grille, carbon side panels, and carbon winglets. Then, just for good measure, BMW has thrown in forged wheels (13.22lbs lighter) with semi slicks.

Important Upgrades for the Interior

Moving inside, BMW M Performance Parts garnished the interior with carbon trim pieces. That was just a start though as the seats are new - front and back. With carbon fiber buckets lighter by almost 20 lbs, and new rear seats (lighter by 29 lbs), the lightweight aura of the car comes to a whole new level. Obviously, this is just a concept, and we cannot really expect all of this reaching the production, but the thing is that BMW can make it actually happen. After all, BMW and German carbon fiber producer SGL group invested roughly $1 billion over the past four years in securing the production and supply of the CFRP for the use on BMW cars.

The largest carbon-fiber plant in the world is actually in Moses Lake, Washington, and it is basically owned by BMW and SGL group. A few years back, they produced up to one fifth of all carbon fiber in the world. Add to that the carbon-fiber production facilities in Germany, and it is obvious that BMW is ready to tackle the carbon fiber challenges of tomorrow.

It Will Drive Better, Too

BMW did not disclose any info about a possible engine upgrade, or any changes regarding the performance. However, considering they integrated a coil-over suspension with independently adjustable damping, this BMW M Performance Parts M2 concept should drive better compared to the regular M2. Furthermore, the kit dropped the car by almost an inch. To be fair, this setup has already been available for installation on the M2 and the M2 Competition, so it is not exactly a novelty, but it does complement the hardcore nature of the car.

Unfortunately, we don't know anything about the engine either. The M2 Competition sports a detuned version of the M4 engine with 404 horsepower, while the M2 Coupe features a slightly different engine with 365 horsepower.

Further reading

Read our full review of the BMW M2 Competion}

Read our expert review of the standard BMW M2}

Read more Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Read more BMW news.