Manhart MH2 560 cranks BMW M2 to 11

Another 100hp and even more aggression for BMW's baby bruiser - and Manhart is only getting started

By Matt Bird / Friday, 2 February 2024 / Loading comments

Manhart and the new BMW M2 were always going to be a match made in heaven. A tuner known for making BMWs much faster and much more attention-grabbing, meets an M car powered by a very tuneable engine with a polarising look straight from the factory. Far from making Manhart’s job harder, it seems that the G87 M2 has given them licence to really cut loose.

When this is its first go, a car with 560hp, carbon for days and the front end of a race car, it’s clear that Manhart means business with the MH2 560. It’s only going to get more powerful and more purposeful from here. What else was expected? This ‘first stage’ comprises an ECU tickle and an exhaust system (sport downpipes, new cats, 100mm tailpipes) which is TUV compliant and yields another 100hp from standard all on its own. Torque gets a useful boost to 479lb ft (from 406), too.

Presumably, it’ll now dash to 62mph in less than four seconds, given the standard car is rated at 4.1. ‘At the same time’, continues the press release, ‘the tuner from Wuppertal already has further tuning stages planned.’ Yikes. Hardly like the 460hp car ever feels slow, especially with the eight-speed auto, and if so much can be gained with so relatively little already then the sky must be the limit.

Typically the appeal of tuning like this is keeping the relatively discreet exterior with a useful hike in power, but given any M2 is about as subtle as a cage fight it’s easier than ever to see why the bodykit is available as well. There are always going to be looks, so why not more of them? This MH2 560 rides on KW V4 coilovers, Manhart Concave One wheels (silver again - hurrah) that are a massive 295/25 ZR 21 at the back, and some Manhart stickers.

They do a fair amount for visual punch already, though added to the M2 on top are a ‘veritable arsenal of carbon body parts. They know what they’re doing at Manhart, alright. So there’s a carbon bonnet, front spoiler lip, side skirts, spoiler and diffuser - even carbon kidney grilles, should you wish. Seems weird to fit those to a black demonstrator, though that does at least mean the carbon will really pop against other colours. Manhart offers smaller wheels and just springs instead of the coilovers ‘for all customers who find the V4 a bit dynamic.’

The interior remains untouched - this is the first stage, remember. Even punchier M2s (in every regard) will follow in due course, perhaps with interior modifications leaning towards a track focus. It’s already very fast around a circuit, so it would seem like a natural place to evolve the M2 for the aftermarket. And with a front end like this, everybody would be sure to move out the way…