Facelifted BMW M2 begins testing

The BMW M2 has only been on sale in the UK for just over a year now, but facelifted test cars of the 365bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder performance coupé have already hit public roads in Germany, as well as the Nürburgring.

The images provide clear hints to a lightly facelifted model tentatively planned for introduction during the second half of 2017.

Despite being lightly disguised, the test cars seen by Autocar spy photographers clearly reveal the new head and tail-light designs for the updated M2. These changes will also be applied to other, less powerful variants of the 2 Series Coupé and Cabriolet, including the recently introduced 248bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder 230i model and the 335bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder M240i.

Although retaining the same shape as today’s units, the headlights on the facelifted M2 receive new LED graphics with altered octagonal corona rings and main beam projectors. The tail-lights also adopt new lenses featuring a similar horizontal-themed LED-enhanced graphic as the current model.   

Also evident is a new front bumper. While heavily disguised, it looks set to adopt a slightly wider kidney grille as well as altered air duct styling for a more efficient engine bay and front brake cooling.

Further back, there are restyled sills underneath the doors.

There’s also a modified rear bumper. It receives a redesigned diffuser featuring a new middle section. The test car pictured here also appears to run a larger exhaust than the existing M2, suggesting BMW’s M division is set to provide the facelifted model with an altered system with more free-flowing properties for improved performance.

Despite recent rumours suggesting the facelifted M2 may adopt a new B58-specification engine, Autocar understands it will retain the older N55-based unit until the planned introduction of a second-generation model in 2019. In its current guise, the rear-wheel-drive M2 performance coupé delivers 365bhp and 433lb ft of torque, giving it 0-62mph acceleration in 4.3sec (in combination with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox).