In an era of electrification, downsized engines, and a move toward front- and all-wheel-drive architectures, the BMW M2 epitomizes the essence of the BMW brand as we once knew it. No wonder it’s a favorite with enthusiasts and around our offices.
There are rumblings that BMW plans a hotter M2, perhaps fitted with the M3 with Competition package’s 444-hp S55 engine, but Munich had something else at the Geneva auto show: the M2 Black Shadow, a special edition with cosmetic changes that emphasize the company’s racing heritage.
The M2 Black Shadow Edition comes in Black Sapphire Metallic only, a color that is a $550 option on the standard M2. It is also fitted with carbon-fiber mirror caps, a carbon-fiber diffuser, black chrome exhaust pipes, and specific forged 19-inch wheels painted in black. Power comes from the well-proven N55 engine, a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six rated at 365 horsepower, which it serves up at 6500 rpm. A delightful six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional.
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The BMW M2 Black Shadow Edition will be available in April; it will come to the United States, although the numbers and the price are still unknown. In Europe, the package commands a premium of more than $7000 at current exchange rates over the standard M2, after the metallic paint is discounted. That̵...