Corporate April Fools’ jokes tend to be terrible. Automakers have been responsible for some of the worst. We’re still cringing a bit from the great Voltswagen debacle of 2021. BMW got in on the act this year. The M Division tweaked rival Porsche by posting a fake promo for the new BMW M2 Dakar, the Ultimate Off-Road Machine.
The BMW M2 Dakar is an obvious joke. If the less-than-automaker-quality Photoshop work wasn’t a dead giveaway, the odds of Porsche allowing BMW to use “Dakar” are slim to none — Porsche had to use “Dakar” due to a naming dispute. But our reaction to this joke was less “wow, that’s obviously too ridiculous” and more “hey, why doesn’t BMW build this?”
Key Takeaways
- BMW posted a fantastic M2 Dakar concept on Instagram
- It’s an off-road sports car that could be a cut-price rival to the Porsche 911 Dakar
- BMW reportedly has an AWD powertrain coming for the M2 that could be a fit
- But BMW may not have space for outlandish development projects
- And the BMW M2 could be under threat with tariffs
The BMW M2 Dakar Sounds Awesome
BMW didn’t put much thought or detail into its April Fools’ Joke. This is basically the standard off-road sports car treatment with chunky all-terrain tires and a lifted off-road suspension. It looks like BMW gave the standard M2’s front fascia a bit of a nip and tuck for extra ground clearance. And it has the obligatory fuel can and spare tire strapped to the roof to prep you for an off-road adventure (and make a lot of noise when you’re driving at a rapid clip). It sounds — noisy roof tire excepted — like a vehicle that would be incredibly fun to own.
The M2 is currently rear-wheel-drive only, which would put a damper on any off-road sports car ambitions. However, reports suggest that an all-wheel-drive M2 xDrive may arrive soon.
It Would Be Nice To Get a Cheaper Off-Road Sports Car
The off-road sports car is no longer an outlandish concept. It’s an incredibly popular one. Besides looking cool, the models are a bit more fun and comfortable for everyday driving with a softer suspension. Lamborghini had to expand its limited production run for the Huracan Sterrato to accommodate demand. The 911 Dakar has been so popular that it went from a limited edition to an evolving mainstay in the 911 lineup, which may be returning with hybrid power.
The one drawback to off-road sports cars has been the ludicrous pricing. The Huracán Sterrato came in at around $280,000 when new. And the 911 Dakar was one of the most expensive 911 trims, starting at around $222,000. The standard BMW M2 starts at $65,500 MSRP. So, even offering a generous allowance, this is a car BMW could provide for half the price of those cars.
TopSpeed’s Take
A BMW M2 Dakar would be incredibly fun. It’s also a car BMW has no intention of building. American tariffs look set to trim automakers’ profits in the coming years, which will likely put the kibosh on any off-piste development projects BMW would be considering. BMW may have to work to keep the standard M2 — built in Mexico — viable for the U.S. market.
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