The AREA M Signature Series builds on the emotional experience of BMW M Experiences with innovative designs on selected vehicles. The designer pieces in the Signature Series do not disappear into a climate-controlled car storage, but are pushed to their limits by experienced instructors and participants in AREA M Experiences.
For the third edition of the series, design studio BlackFish Graphics and professional drifter Eli Hountondji from 229 Performance have joined forces to transform the BMW M2 into an impressive drifting machine, both visually and technically. The model has been optimised for maximum driving pleasure and easy control. And best of all, this BMW M2 will be used in future AREA M Games of Drift events.
BMW M2 by BlackFish Graphics.
BMW M2 by BlackFish Graphics.
Powerful, expressive, and with motorsport genes: the livery of the BMW M2 is inspired by the Toyota Supra Esso Ultron, a legendary racing car that competed in the JGTC (Japan Grand Touring Car Championship) in 1999. The iconic “tiger stripes” have been reinterpreted time and again since then and now find a new canvas with a special color scheme on the BMW M2 from AREA M. Here, they represent movement, drift lines, tyre tracks, and the entire dynamics of sideways driving. “The colour gradient conveys speed and a sense of instability that comes with drifting. The pattern is deliberately non-illustrative. It is graphically reduced and interpreted in a modern way,” says BlackFish Graphics about the livery design.
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Drift-Technology by 229 Performance.
Drift-Technology by 229 Performance.
Unlike previous vehicles of the AREA M Signature Series, this model is the first to be enhanced with special technical “extra ingredients.” These were developed in collaboration with drift expert Eli Hountondji from Red Bull Driftbrothers and his company 229 Performance. Specifically, there are three innovative features that guarantee Games of Drift participants more control, more style, and more driving pleasure: a front axle conversion kit for a larger steering angle, a fly-off handbrake for lightning-fast drift initiation, and a specially tuned limited-slip differential for optimal rear axle control.
THE BMW M2 “TIRE EATER” AS A TOOL FOR THE GAMES OF DRIFT.
It is a competition of superlatives: at the Memmingen site, the Home of Drift, participants in the Games of Drift compete against each other in three challenges – in the BMW M2 “Tire Eater”:
DRIFT SPIRAL.
The aim here is to maintain a constant drift for as long as possible and steer precisely through each gate to collect points. If the vehicle is then brought to a clean stop in the garage, additional points are awarded. Each cone touched results in points being deducted.
RING DROP.
Rings must be thrown accurately within a short time frame. Points are awarded for precision. Points are deducted for every cone that is touched.
GYMKHANA.
Everyone has two minutes to drift. The individual drifts are then evaluated in the Drift Analyzer. The aim is to collect the most points for the longest drift with optimal control. Who can get the most out of the BMW M2 without losing control?
All participants can secure their place in the grand final in October 2026, where cool prizes await the best. Ready to take on the ultimate drift challenge?
BMW M5 BY DAVIDE VIRDIS.
BMW M5 BY DAVIDE VIRDIS.
Orange is the new black: With Italian designer Davide Virdis’ livery for the Signature Series, the BMW M5 Sedan is instantly recognisable – whether on the road or drifting in an alpine ski resort.
BMW M4 BY ANDY WERNER.
BMW M4 BY ANDY WERNER.
The Los Angeles-based designer has transformed the BMW M4 into a one-of-a-kind vehicle with features from motorsport and the drift scene.
