BMW has introduced an all-wheel-drive version of the M2 Turbo Edition for India, giving the performance coupe improved acceleration while leaving U.S. buyers without access to the new configuration for now. The BMW M2 Turbo AWD retains its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 480 horsepower, but reaches 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, beating the acceleration time of the rear-wheel-drive manual model sold in limited numbers in the United States.
No plans for an American launch have been announced. The move is particularly notable because the M2 Turbo Design Edition was originally developed exclusively for the U.S. market, with production planned in the low hundreds.
BMW M2 Turbo Edition Pays Tribute to 1974
The M2 Turbo Edition draws its styling inspiration from the 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo, described as the first European production car with a turbo engine. Its exterior is available exclusively in Alpine White, featuring hand-painted M stripes, a black power dome on the hood and reversed “turbo” lettering designed to appear correctly in a rearview mirror.
The special edition also features a carbon-fiber roof and spoiler. Gold-bronze forged wheels are available on the options list, measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear.
Inside, the car features carbon bucket seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a historic turbo badge on the cupholder cover. The all-wheel-drive version does not introduce major visual differences from the existing model, aside from the absence of a clutch pedal and six-speed manual shifter.
U.S. Buyers Get the Manual While India Gets AWD
The market split creates an unusual situation for the BMW M2 Turbo. The original edition was developed for the U.S. market, while a separate production run of 30 units was later planned for Mexico. Now, India is receiving the all-wheel-drive version, while American buyers have no announced opportunity to purchase it.
For drivers in snowy U.S. states, the added traction of all-wheel drive could be appealing, even if it means giving up the manual transmission. However, BMW has not announced plans to bring the new configuration to the American market.
The eight-speed automatic transmission also brings a performance advantage across M2 models equipped with it. Those versions receive a 37 pound-foot increase in torque, bringing output to 442 pound-feet. Combined with the quicker-shifting gearbox, the additional torque helps explain the faster acceleration figures.
BMW M2 Turbo AWD Pricing Remains Unannounced
BMW has not yet announced pricing for the M2 Turbo AWD in India. In the United States, the M2 Turbo starts at around $84,000, approximately $15,000 more than a base M2.
Adding every available option can push the U.S. model’s price to around $96,000, with some examples trading for considerably more. The original edition’s limited production was aimed at the American market, but the number of vehicles allocated to India has not been disclosed.
The additional Indian allocation could affect resale values in ways that existing owners may not welcome. Whether the India-only all-wheel-drive model will command the same premium as the original special edition remains uncertain.
