The Manhart MH2 450 Is Unusual But Brilliant
It promises to bring more business to the Wuppertal-based tuner.
If the car’s striking exterior didn’t, the title of this story probably got your attention. And, of course, that also holds for BMW fans and those who know what kind of projects Manhart usually undertakes.
So, what’s unusual about this tuned BMW 2 series? Well, Manhart is known for turning full-blooded M-powered BMWs into supercar killing machines. By that logic, the MH2 450 should be based on the latest-gen M2. But ‘450’ as the designation? That’s weird because that number usually reflects the power output, which would disappoint M2 owners.
Here’s the truth: it isn’t based on an M2. It is an M240i, a faux-M, but with a punchy powertrain. Manhart has injected its powerbox to up the peak output from the twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine to 440hp/600Nm. That’s an increment of 66hp/100Nm, plenty to make a noticeable difference in outright speed. A rear silencer with valve control and four 100mm tailpipes complement the added oomph with an appropriate soundtrack.
If that output isn’t enough, don’t fret—Manhart also offers Stage 2 and 3 performance upgrades for the M240i. The braking system has been kept stock but can be beefed up on request. Regarding the suspension, Manhart can install H&R’s lowering springs or KW’s Variant 4 Coilover setup to improve driving dynamics.
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The lowered ride height brings neatly to those 20-inch Manhart Concave One rimes, which are fatter at the rear to accommodate 285/25R20 rubber. The tyres at the front are 40mm narrower and feature 5mm taller walls. Not a fan of white wheels? It’s not an issue because Manhart can configure the finish based on the customer’s needs. Rounding off the sporty exterior are a few extra carbon elements, including a front spoiler, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler. Of course, Manhart’s loud decal set in white adds the best possible contrast to the car’s black body colour.
Inside the cabin, the Wuppertal-based tuner installed a new leather/Alcantara cover for the steering wheel with black lacquered spokes. The carbon paddle shifters add to the sporty quotient.
Sprucing up an M240i will probably attract more customers to Manhart. What do you think?
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