BMW M2 Ends European Production This Fall
BMW is ending production of the M2 Competition and M2 CS for the European market this fall. The 370-horsepower coupe proved a hit with enthusiasts, offering a straightforward package reminding us that simplicity is often a virtue, but it’s living on borrowed time on the Old Continent, as is the hardcore 410-hp CS variant.
Why would BMW kill off the car often pointed to by auto journalists as the best in its entire lineup? You’re welcome to hazard a guess, though most, including this outlet, would point to strengthening emission regulations in Europe as the likely offender.
BMW Blog also seemed to think so when it broke the story to the English-speaking world:
Allegedly, the reason for the early end of the M2 production is closely related to the increasingly stringent emissions standards and the demanding requirements for the CO2 emissions of the European new car fleet. The BMW M760i with its V12 engine is another “victim” of these new emission rules.
After the production of the current BMW M4 Coupe and Convertible was recently discontinued in Europe, as planned, the BMW M2 Competition was the last model to use S55 [straight-six, 3.0-liter] TwinTurbo engine. Therefore, adapting the 2014-born engine to the stricter emission requirements simply makes no economic sense.
We’ve since confirmed with BMW that the current-generation M2 will be discontinued in the European market by the end of 2020. BMW did say the model will continue being assembled for other markets, giving some credibility to its death being emissions related. We also don’t know if Bavaria has a successor planned or what timetable it’s hoping to adhere to. BMW may simply want to sit on the current-generation M2 in other markets while it attempts to design something that could cater to all markets.
Rumors suggest a new M2 is already in the works. It’s presumed to use the BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42) that’s supposed to debut in 2021 as its foundation — leading everyone to believe the next M2 (likely arriving in 2022) will be more tech focused than its predecessor, with a shrunken powertrain. While unlikely to negatively impact lap times, the fear is that it will upset the M2’s crowning achievement of being truly engaging to drive.
[Images: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Emissions requirements? I thought a more logical answer (at least if it were an American company, which it isn't) is that they make more money manufacturing three-row SUVs.
Emissions standards (and we’ll, a general cratering of interest and sales) is why I reluctantly sold my beloved 2014 VW Jetta SW diesel (with manual trans!) before I moved to Germany a few months ago. Not exactly the same as losing a M2, I agree...but the rules are making it harder and seem to be potentially tightening.