BMW M Now Stands For Misleading With The M2 Dakar

BMW M is having a little bit of fun this morning, but its latest is for a car that we actually really want. It’s the BMW M2 Dakar, and it’s an April-ready look at turning BMW’s hottest small coupe into its hottest off-roader, a 911 of the same name for buyers who don’t have a quarter-million to drop on something that might never actually leave the pavement but is probably still a better daily driver than the car it is based on.

It’s one of two great gags from the Bavarians. The second is one that’s even more near and dear to our hearts. BMW channels its inner Volvo with an M3 GT3 Evo…Touring.

Finally, An M2 That Can Handle Real Roads

The BMW M2 is one of the greatest M-cars of all time, delivering 453 horsepower from a twin-turbo straight six, sent to the rear tires through a six-speed manual transmission (optionally). But its low-profile tires and stiff suspension can be a bit much on roads that have been ravaged by massive pickups and hefty SUVs.

Enter the M2 Dakar, BMW M’s April Fools this year. Like the 911 Dakar, the BMW M2 gets a taller suspension and beefy off-road tires. Just the thing for crashing over sand dunes, but also potholes on roads and tracks anywhere in the US that sees winter weather.

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Somebody Has Finally Fixed The BMW M2’s Awkward Appearance

Many have tried to improve upon the styling, but this could be the best one yet.

BMW’s laziest render ever shows bigger-than-stock box flares to cover the wider stance. It also has a new front bumper with skid plates, perfect for crashing over dunes or parking curbs at the mall.

Moreover, it comes with a roof rack to hold the spare tire. LED headlights illuminate dark forest tracks or intersection takeovers, and the cabin has racing seats and an off-road nav system. But wait, there’s more.

Exactly What We Wanted: A Race Car With Practicality

Then there’s Motorsport meets practical, with the M3 Touring GT3 Evo. The “perfect M for long distances” is also the perfect M for endurance racing. BMW says this prank is the first GT3 race car built on a Touring model, but the inspiration for this one is clearly the Volvo 850 used in the BTCC in the 1990s.

The Rennwagon has a wing the size of a barn door stuck to the hatch. BMW has also put the fuel filler in the rear quarter glass which is super cool for fillups on the go.

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The BMW M3 Touring: Things We Loved And Hated

It’s almost perfect.

We’re used to April Fools’ jokes that are funny but not exactly practical. This M2 Dakar, though? That’s one that could actually make a lot of sense. A slightly softer M2 that could handle the moonscape that is the road network in most of the North East (and anywhere else with seasonal potholes) is just what the doctor ordered.

Want one? Hit up your BMW dealer. Enough pressure and BMW M might find itself having to get dirty. It’s better than another XM, right?