BMW M2 xDrive accidentally confirmed

An all-wheel drive version of the BMW M2 performance coupe appears to be on the way after the yet-to-be-confirmed model was listed on BMW’s US website.

According to BMW Blog, a since removed listing for a 2027 BMW M2 xDrive appeared as part of the automaker’s product lineup on its US-market website, effectively confirming the first all-wheel drive M2.

The model’s name was listed, although there were no further details such as pricing or images, with the M2 xDrive not appearing on the BMW USA configurator.

The slip-up was enough to effectively confirm the long-rumoured addition of an all-wheel drive version of the entry-level M car, the ‘2027’ description suggesting it will launch overseas in the second half of 2026.

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BMW Australia couldn’t confirm the M2 xDrive, nor whether it would be sold in local showrooms, when asked by CarExpert.

The addition of xDrive promises even faster-accelerating versions of the M2, with the current 2026 M2 CS already offering a formidable 3.8-second 0-100km/h claim and a 302km/h official top speed.

Across two generations of M2 – the 2016 F87 and current G87, which arrived in 2023 – the smallest model in BMW’s M division lineup has been a traditional, driver-focused, rear-wheel drive sports coupe.

In contrast, the BMW M3 and M4 gained the option of all-wheel drive in 2021 in Competition guise.

Both the ‘regular’ M3 and M4 use an M-specific version of BMW’s xDrive system that can send power rearwards, preserving the rear-wheel drive character the smaller M2 is praised for.

That same xDrive system is now expected to arrive for the 2027 model year M2, which already shares a version of the same platform and S58 twin-turbo inline six-cylinder petrol engine as the M3 and M4.

The current-generation 2 Series on which the M2 is based is already offered with all-wheel drive, with the M240i xDrive coupe currently in Australian showrooms and priced from $102,900 before on-road costs.

The addition of an all-wheel drive M2 doesn’t necessarily spell the end of rear-wheel drive variants, with the M3 and M4 still available in rear-wheel drive in entry-level versions with a manual transmission.

Higher-spec models use xDrive and the eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, including top-spec CS (Competition Sport) versions — although the M2 CS uses the automatic while remaining rear-wheel drive.

BMW M boss Frank van Meel recently told CarExpert the growing number of CS models won’t include M SUV models such as the X3, X5 and X6.

Yet Mr van Meel said the M division could expand into the off-road arena if BMW had a suitable model to build from — not mentioning the rumoured development of a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen rival reportedly due later this decade.

Meanwhile, the next M3 is set to be unveiled in 2026 and will include both a hybrid version, using an inline six-cylinder petrol engine as well as a battery-electric version, with the X3 M and X4 M set to use the same quad-motor electric powertrain. MORE: Explore the BMW M2 showroom