How BMW M reduced weight in the all-new BMW M2 Coupe

The all-new 2016 BMW M2 Coupe is fast and light. How did BMW M reduce the weight in the new M2?

BMW M is all about building fast cars with top-level driving dynamics for performance enthusiasts around the globe. The new 2016 BMW M2 is the latest example of what BMW M GmbH engineers pulled off with the BMW 2 Series. They put in the 3.0-liter turbo engine that received its DNA from the new M3/M4 performance car to make it quick from 0-60. How did BMW M reduce the weight in the new M2 to make it even faster?

BMW M used a number of lightweight parts to help reduce unsprung mass in the M2. BMW M GmbH engineers went back to the BMW M3 and M4 models and used their lightweight aluminum front and rear axles for the all-new BMW M2. This helps keep a high level of rigidity and a low axle system weight. The engineers were able to reduce weight by 11 pounds in the control arms, wheel carriers, axle subframes and stiffening plate of the double-joint spring-strut front axle. Additional weight savings in the suspension struts and tubular anti-roll bar was achieved by using aluminum.

BMW M also used forged aluminum for the control arms and wheel carriers of the all-new BMW M2’s five-link rear axle which reduces the unsprung masses of the wheel-locating components by more than 6 pounds compared to a steel construction. The M2 rides on lightweight 19-inch forged wheels that substantially reduce rotating and unsprung masses.

Finally, the high-performance M brake disc hubs are manufactured from aluminum and are significantly lighter than conventional braking systems. They also reduce unsprung and rotating masses and play a major role in further reducing weight and enhance the performance of the all-new 2016 BMW M2.

Media source: BMW M