While the opinions on its styling remain split, one thing is clear: the 2023 BMW M2 has generated a massive buzz and its presence in the public eye will only become stronger. For one, you can bet on the second-gen M2 starting a drifting career once deliveries kick off next year. In the meantime, the example we have here got an early start thanks to an independent rendering artist who portrays the most compact M model in the range with (surprise-surprise) polarizing updates.
Sure, the appearance of the G87 M2 is nowhere near as radical as some of the other recent BMW models from the traditional range (e.g. the G70 7 Series released earlier this year). But with the compact coupe’s first generation having been regarded as a way to reconnect with the brand’s old-school “driving machine” values, it was to be expected that a part of its fan base would be less than pleased with the styling of the newcomer (have you seen the even more extreme take delivered by the G87 M2 Performance Parts?).
The S58 is capable of four-digit outputs
However, there’s nothing to be debated when it comes to the impeccable tech package of the G87 M2, especially since this mixes the S58 borrowed from the M3/M4 (and X3 M/X4 M) with a six-speed manual (offered alongside the ubiquitous ZF 8-speed automatic) and RWD.
And once the new M2 will land on the street (e.g. March 2023 for the US and May 2023 for the UK), the strong aftermarket presence of the Bavarian brand will undoubtedly lead to some wild builds.
For one, the said S58 twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six has already proven its potential, with the stock engine block being taken past 1,000 hp last year in the Red Bull Drift Brother’s M4—modded by TDP.ie. the engine made over 1,000 hp in August 2021, with their M4 drift car having grown meanwhile, as documented on YouTube.
This makes for a good opportunity to remind you that the 3.0L single-turbo straight-six B58—the base for the S58—has also demonstrated its 1,000+ hp potential in Formula Drift, where Steph Papadakis built such a beast for his team’s Mk V Supra. Heck, he also put a B58 in a GR86…
With all those exquisite BMW engines around, why would you LS-swap a G87 M2?
The answer to the question above involves an unfortunate scenario, albeit one that’s impossible to avoid. Alas, some of these cars are going to get damaged due to poor driving or natural disasters. And once Copart is done with the Hurricane Ian-flooded McLaren P1, the M2s will have their time to shine on this and other online auction platforms.
Digital artist BradBuilds envisions the 2023 BMW M2 with an LS7 under the hood. For the record, the 427 ci (7.0L) GM unit served machines such as the C6 Corvette Z06, the sixth-gen Camaro Z/28 track special and even a Holdern W427 performance sedan.
In its stock form, the N/A monster would be good for over 500 hp and 480 lb-ft of twist. That’s more than enough for a street car, but we can’t say the same about a drifting tool. So, it looks like the 3D master has modded the engine, taking a page from the real HGK BMW F22 Eurofighter Drift Car‘s book—released a couple of years ago, this first-gen 2 Series coupe pushed its LS7 crate engine to around 820 hp.
Of course, this digital G87 BMW M2 drift car also features other specific custom bits such as the widebody. And would you look at that bash bar (street builds like this StreetHunter 2022 Subaru BRZ also use such bits) protecting the rear diff in the event a kiss-the-wall stunt goes wrong!
