[R44 Performance]

G87 M2 & G42 M240i Direct styling comparison

So after getting to see the leaked images a few weeks back, the day has finally come. We can now take a closer look around the styling of the new G87 M2 and compare it to the G42 M240i X-Drive directly.

I think the best way to run around this all would be to start with the front, make our way to the rear, then inside as well as maybe adding a random thoughts section, so without further ado...

FRONT:

So the first thing that comes to mind when looking at the front end is "rectangular" which I think is a bit of a shame when you look at the G42 and how it all flows together so well, the lights matching the angles and body lines, the grilles even following the shape. This for me just makes me feel like the styling on the front end was an afterthought, if you look at how they fill the inner corners of the head lights i think this is what shows it best. Although it does flow and line up with the grille well, seeing a bumper line that has to be fundamentally filled is something I wouldn't have expected as well as not having a double halo on the M2 was a surprise for me. I always expected a slightly revised headlight of a similar shape but it does seem they both share the same headlights.

The lower section and grille look a lot less cheap on the final release and although the angles are rather rectangular I do actually think it is super aggressive and I can only imagine the way this will look in the metal with its wider stance.

The bonnet and wing mirrors are shared between both cars and even though I would prefer a headlight or bumper design that ties together with one another slightly better I do like the front end.

SIDE:

Arguably the most important part of any M car is its "thickness" in comparison to the non M counterpart. I think this has been done perfectly and if you know me I probably sound like a broken record but colour matched side skirts is how it should be. This helps tie the car together and adds so much to the body lines in my opinion. The arches give off the M2 vibe perfectly so no complaints there.

Needless to say the doors are the same but if you look closely along the side skirt it seems as if it runs up into the arch, saying that it could also be the clear guard protection also so we will wait until our shop car arrives to confirm that as it could make creating side skirts etc more interesting.

REAR:

My favorite part of the exterior style. They have tied the rear end together so well, I look at the headlights and tail lights of any car as a focal point to work from and tie everything to and WOW. From the aggressive angles at the lower section to the sharp cuts in the center that follow around the diffuser this rear end is terrifyingly angry (especially in red).

The rear end of the G42 was my first grievance with the car and still is for a lot of people. The question mark style design was definitely out there but the M2 rear end leaves room for no questions

If I had to pick one thing I didn't like I guess I wouldn't mind a more aggressive diffuser (but me and the R44 team can cover that side of things).

INTERIOR:

With the steering wheel being the same as the G8X cars and the interior ambient lighting looking like the same set up as the G42. The core difference in my eyes when I look at this interior is the seats, I need them in my G42! I saw a leak of these a good while ago, before we had much idea on the car but they make the interior for me definitely. The non-carbon options are very similar to the G42 seats and share a likeness with the comfort seats found in the G8X cars.

Of course the M2 will be fully equipped with interior carbon as standard, I imagine it must feel great around the driver and will only make the driving experience even more exciting.


BONUS ROUND (EXTRA THOUGHTS):

Carbon roof as standard is a lovely plus side and looks unreal against the brighter colours for contrast. Of course we don't get the shark fin any more and get the new style antenna which is a clean look but I have always loved the shark fin.

I think colour wise I am most drawn to the black or grey option although the red looks phenomenal. We had to throw the Inozetek Era Green colour option on the car just to give respect to our G42 of course, I think it really shows off the thickness in the rear. Thumbs up for a Green G87 M2!

All in all I think they've done a great job, me and the R44 performance team cannot wait to get our hands on our G87 M2 and begin creating some amazing styling parts for the car.

Let me know what you think of the New M2, has your mind been changed since the leak?

Let me know your thoughts below!

[azuki]

i would like the 230i m sport front and the m2 rear.

[steelatx]

The leaks were fairly bad, but this may have been intentional to really wow people with the official marketing materials. I'm in the camp of, I actually like it now. The weird headlight vents are a bit off putting, and obviously would have loved a double halo, but I can deal with it and the rear looks much better in red. Agree on color matched side skirts. The black side skirts was my biggest pain point on the g42.

My biggest issues from the onset were idrive 8 and the deletion of buttons. Having been in my friends 23 g42, I can probably evolve and live with it. We're getting a proper gearbox afterall.

Truthfully this would have been a day 1 purchase for me had there been better color options (or individual colors). It will be hard to move from thundernight to the same ol sea of red, black, white, and gray. ZB is a nonstarter for me.

That green though... 🔥

I'll wait it out until we get more color choices. Until then I'll enjoy the heck out of my G42, which truthfully is the perfect car for me. if you can go full M... It's hard to say no.. So we'll see how long that lasts lol 😂


One other note, does anyone know why or if there's bmw heritage causing all the M cars to have the horizontal grill now? This would be a homerun with vertical grill.

[Ricochet48]

The green G42 is incredibly sharp (love the color & gold rims!), much more than the clunky Chinese market focused M2 (even after mods).

The only M2 aspect I'm jelly of would be the carbon trim. $8K or whatever for the seats & roof seem nuts to be though.

[Coconut]

Did they actually design the M2 to appeal to the Chinese market? I heard the same thing about the Supra’s styling and it kinda made sense, it looks overly styled and weird with just a bunch of fake vents and odd proportions, which I can see why the Chinese market would like it.

[donnyfontaine]

carbon roof on the M2 is awesome, exhausts on the M2 are awesome, but apart from that i prefer the G42. i had a 2015 WRX back in the day and my friend told me that proportionally "dude that looks like a matchbox car". and that's exactly what i see with the M2 and can't get it out of my head

[R44 Performance]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Did they actually design the M2 to appeal to the Chinese market? I heard the same thing about the Supra’s styling and it kinda made sense, it looks overly styled and weird with just a bunch of fake vents and odd proportions, which I can see why the Chinese market would like it.

Visually that makes sense, have heard this a few times now so possibly.

[NoSuchSol]

I want the exhaust and the seats.... not enough for me to upgrade.

The colors definitely help versus the fuzzy blue photos but I'm not sold on it.

I'm also surprised that the weight is so similar to the m240i xdrive. *shrug*

[alan7467]

I definitely am liking the wider fenders compared to the G42. However, the rest I'm not so sure about. Need to see one in person, but at least right now I think I prefer the cleaner look of the G42.

I also find it interesting that the G87 is already being hailed as BMW's best "pure drivers car" by automative press that haven't driven it yet. At least on paper I'd say the G42 in 230i RWD trim might be the best drivers car given the significantly lower weight and simpler driving modes. This is all just my IMHO of course and not really worth a lot given I've only driven the G42 M240i in xDrive.

[440i6MT]

God himself could not have designed a better-looking BMW.

[CaliGuy]

I would like all the carbon trim in my g42... Cant wait for part numbers...

Interesting to see how to change the dash lighting to be like the new m2.

[MrPickles]

I can't unsee the Dodge front end. Will happily stick with my M240.

[m_g42bmw]

Wondering if the M performance exhaust with the tips in the center of the rear facia will be compatible with the G 42 platform 🤞🤞🤞

[harcos]

What is surprising is that they kept the "old" gearshift selector and did not put a small button like on the G42 2023

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

God himself could not have designed a better-looking BMW.

Which god?