BMWWhen it debuted at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, BMW positioned the M2 as a smaller, more agile alternative to the M3 and M4. It was the M car for people who wanted a pure, connected-to-the-road driving experience without the extra weight, complexity, or cost that all-wheel drive brings.It was a hit.When wraps were pulled off the M2 on that cold January day at the Detroit Auto Show, it received immediate praise from industry insiders, journalists, and the general public alike. Part of the appeal was how the M2 delivered a driving experience closer to that of the M3 and M4 but at a price that was easier to justify. Despite its lighter package, the M2 looked nimble enough for lonely back roads yet capable enough for the track.AdvertisementAdvertisementWaitlists in the United States soon stretched beyond a year for the M2 following its debut, a sign of how hungry enthusiasts were for a compact M car from the German marque. Fast forward about a decade, and the M2 was the top-selling high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in 2025.Today, BMW is making available its M xDrive technology for the M2, expanding the lineup without replacing the rear-wheel drive model that started it all. The new M2 with M xDrive goes on sale in late summer 2026, with a base MSRP of $74,950, including destination.All-wheel drive with a rear-wheel drive soulDrivers can configure the systemBMW M2 with M xDriveM xDrive is BMW's proprietary all-wheel-drive system, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to distribute power between the front and rear axles. The system is rear-biased by design, holding true to the M2's original character.During normal driving, power goes exclusively to the rear wheels, with the front wheels only coming into play when the rears can no longer put power to the road.AdvertisementAdvertisementM xDrive works in tandem with the Active M Differential, which handles power distribution between the two rear wheels. The transfer case has its own dedicated control unit with integrated wheel-slip limitation, allowing it to compensate for rotational-speed differences between the front and rear wheels, separate from the main Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. BMW says this makes the process faster and keeps the M2 more composed during high-speed or dynamic driving situations.Drivers can configure the system through the M Setup menu. Options include a 2WD mode with DSC deactivated, which sends torque to the rear wheels only, giving drivers the same experience as the standard M2. The 2WD mode is available on demand, meaning owners can switch between all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive as they wish.M TwinPower Turbo technologyM Driver's Package increases top speedBMW M2 with M xDriveThe M2 with M xDrive can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than the rear-wheel drive version (using the one-foot rollout method brings that down to 3.3 seconds). Top speed is limited to 155 mph, or 177 mph with the optional M Driver's Package.Under the hood of the M2 is 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with BMW's M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine, connected to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, produces 473 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe M2 with M xDrive has a curb weight of 3,988 lbs. (power-to-weight ratio of 8.4), whereas the rear-wheel drive M2 has a curb weight of 3,867 lbs. The extra 121 lbs. reflects the added hardware of the M xDrive system, including the transfer case, multi-plate clutch, and front axle drive components.Adaptive M suspension and braking systemsTuned specifically for the M2BMW M2 with M xDriveEvery M2 with M xDrive is standard with BMW's Adaptive M suspension, tuned specifically for the M2 and its all-wheel drive system. At the front, the setup consists of an aluminum double-joint spring-strut axle, while the rear comprises an aluminum-and-steel five-link axle.Meanwhile, the braking system consists of BMW's M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed calipers up front and single-piston floating calipers in the rear. Wheels are 19-inch up front and 20-inch at the rear, with optional track tires available.Production and color paletteThe M2 with M xDrive will be built at BMW's San Luis Potosí facility, alongside the rest of the M2 lineup, with production starting in August 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementAvailable exterior colors include five metallic and three solid variants, plus six options from the BMW Individual range, including a new Borusan Turkish Blue.For fans weighing their options, the BMW M3 and BMW M4 both offer M xDrive, but neither comes close to the M2's price point or its compact footprint. Starting at about $75,000 (including destination), the M2 with M xDrive makes a case for itself as the most accessible entry point into BMW's all-wheel drive performance lineup, one that doesn't ask drivers to choose between on-road capability and sporty character.