It’s amazing how trends in car culture continue.
Of course, the same can be said for virtually every culture and subculture. But there’s something particularly fascinating about car culture, largely because of the enormous effort we put into our silly hobby. It takes a lot more effort to change a body kit than an outfit, and respraying a car costs a lot more than respraying your living room.
Car culture in Britain is currently at an interesting crossroads. The attitude movement seems to be losing momentum, and people are growing tired of the grassroots-level “enthusiasts” proudly shouting about their “Stage 74 pop-and-bang tunes” on their M-lite BMWs or Ford STs. There’s a noticeable shift towards period-correct styling and true performance builds rather than plain Craigslist engine card.
Rhys Herd and his small team at R44 Performance have read the room. Their latest example would feel more at home in a SEMA Show booth than on the streets of London, where it currently resides. While this isn’t R44 Performance’s first high-powered BMW project, it is undoubtedly their most extreme.
“We’ve done a lot of powerful builds… but how could we make things even more exciting?’ says Rhys “Spice things up” feels like an understatement – because the goal of this M2 is nothing less than world domination. Rhys and his team want to make it one of the fastest drag-ready BMWs in the world, with the aim of beating the American heavyweights on their home turf.
How? By creating the world’s only all-wheel drive G87 M2 – producing a whopping 1,500 hp, or about the same as a Bugatti Chiron – and aiming for a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
Let’s start with the all-wheel drive system, or xDrive, for the BMW enthusiasts in the room. The M2 has never been available in xDrive form, but its larger siblings on the G80-83 platform are available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. While not a simple ‘bolt-on’ swap, it gave R44 a solid starting point for their G87 conversion.
Although not as big as in the US, the drag racing scene in Britain is highly competitive and responsible for the fastest BMWs in the quarter mile.
One of those players is Tom Wrigley, a GT4 driver and owner of Tom Wrigley Performance – the specialist who took on the mechanical side of the R44. Tom’s expertise in BMW tuning and conversions made him Rhys’ first choice to handle the xDrive swap and engine build.
Being the first of its kind, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the conversion. Although G-chassis BMWs are based on a fairly modular platform, there was no guarantee that the M3’s front subframe, transfer case and axles would fit under the M2. But with a lot of patience and some refinement, the xDrive components were successfully mated to the M2’s bodywork. The powertrain was combined with an upgraded DEKA Stage 3+ gearbox and a transfer case with reinforced pistons, plates and seals to handle the planned power increase of 3.31 times the M2’s original output.
Earlier this year I wrote about a trio of drag racing Toyota Supras in the United States, each making 1,250 to 1,300 horsepower from their heavily built B58 engines. It’s no wonder Rhys and the R44 team push their G87’s S58 even further in the quest for supremacy.
While the S58 engine remains a 3.0-liter unit, there is little else in stock. As has been the case for decades, the OEM twin-turbo setup was swapped out in favor of a big single turbocharger – in this case a Precision Next-Gen Sportsman 8385 (rated at 1,700 hp) bolted to a custom R44 x TWP single-turbo manifold kit. It’s great to see modern engines getting proven tuning upgrades.
With such a large single-turbo setup, there is obviously a need for serious cooling solutions. Enter CSF race cooling products – the M2 is equipped with a Level Up charge air cooler manifold, heat exchanger and engine and transmission oil coolers. CSF’s detail in these products is second to none: stone protectors are supplied with the heat exchanger to provide extra protection (especially for road cars), while the manifold is one piece that replaces the standard plastic item. There is also a Funk Motorsport turbo blanket and exhaust wrap to prevent excessive heat in the engine compartment.
To achieve more than three times the original power, the internal components of the S58 engine have been heavily upgraded. CP-Carrillo Pro-Xtreme forged pistons and connecting rods are combined with the over-engineered OEM crankshaft, while the cylinder head and valve train have been reworked. GSC Power Division supplied a set of billet camshafts, along with stronger valve springs, seals, guides and valves. ARP head and main bolts, plus upgraded main and connecting rod bearings, keep the engine together.
Reliability is paramount in a car targeting a seven-second quarter-mile time, and so is the fuel system. Injector Dynamics 2,600cc injectors are fed by three Walbro fuel pumps in addition to the OEM high-pressure fuel pump to deliver strong and consistent fuel delivery. A Radium fuel pressure regulator, 60mm heat exchanger, multi-pump surge tank and stainless steel filter complete the setup.
The engine compartment is not only powerful, but also beautiful. The OEM plastic covers have been replaced with carbon fiber equivalents. Even the fluid caps are now made of orange anodized material – because why don’t they look good at 200 miles per hour?
Speaking of looks, I have to admit that the G87 M2 took a long time to grow on me. Even now, the stock versions still do nothing for me, but with the right tweaks they become… dare I say it… quite handsome.
The M2 sits lower thanks to AST 5100 series coilovers, complemented by fully adjustable front and rear wishbones from Suspension Secrets, a UK-based geometry expert. And the coolest feature? The M2 is equipped with an AST air-jack system, which always takes a build to the next level.
And of course, no tow truck is complete without a parachute. In this case, a huge 10-foot Simpson Skyjacker is a real statement of intent. I can only imagine the reactions if the R44 M2 rolled through a conservative London borough.
The car also features a full MHC+ exterior package, including pre-preg carbon fiber splitters and accessories, complemented by an Alpha-N carbon fiber hood, front fenders and ‘aero blades’ front bumper. Not only does this feature the ‘Edition 1’ kit of splitter, side skirts and diffuser, but it was actually the first G87 carbon kit on the market. As a finishing touch, the racing livery, designed by Black Fish Graphics, features iconic BMW colors such as Miami Blue and Laguna Seca Blue on top of the Inozetek Papaya Orange wrap.
Under the wide arches sit two sets of Vossen wheels: 19-inch LC3-02s with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for the road and 18-inch GEN-05 split rims with Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S rubber for the stripe. An MMX carbon-ceramic brake package features 6-piston calipers and 380mm discs up front, paired with Pagid brake pads and braided lines.
What I like most about powerful builds these days is how useful they remain. Despite the roll cage, removal of the rear seat, fire-resistant bulkhead and stripped-down door cards, the interior of the R44 M2 is still a wonderful place to be.
Tillett carbon fiber bucket seats keep weight down without sacrificing comfort, and the OEM infotainment system is retained.
The only visible clue that this isn’t a stock M2 is the Momo Monte Carlo steering wheel, but even then the JQ Werks steering system retains full OEM functionality.
The technology behind modern drag builds is fascinating, and by all accounts R44 has ticked every box to compete with the best. We’ll have to wait until March 11, 2025 to see how the M2 performs at the TX2K25 in Texas, but I’m confident the team has what it takes. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the M2’s US tour leading up to the event, so stay tuned for more updates.
Whatever happens, I’ll opt for R44 Performance and the M2 when the tree lights up. Can Britain show the US how it’s done?
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
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Photography by Dylan De Jager
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