This year has been a huge year for BMW as the brand celebrates 50 years of its ‘M’ performance division.
There’s been the arrival of the first-ever M3 Touring, the M4 CSL and the XM, and to round off the year there’s perhaps the most eagerly anticipated – the new M2.
It might be BMW’s junior ‘M’ model, but previous M2s have often been regarded as the sweet spot in the German firm’s line-up. Now that BMW has revealed its new M2, let’s look at what this new car offers.
Huge power bump
Though the M2 might be BMW’s most affordable sports car, it’s certainly not lacking in power. A similar twin-turbo 3.0-litre in-line six engine remains, but BMW has given it a power bump, with the 454bhp figure nearly 89bhp more than the original M2, and even more than the 444bhp found in the M2 CS – the flagship version of the predecessor.
This allows for some particularly strong performance, with 0-60mph taking 3.9 seconds, while a 155mph top speed is possible, though this can be increased to 177mph with an optional ‘M Race Track Package’ included, which also brings carbon bucket seats.
Manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive remain
The M2 has more recently been seen as the purists' choice in the BMW line-up, and though there was a worry this might change as the model becomes more powerful and advanced, the German firm has ensured it remains the more traditional choice.
That’s because it will become the only BMW M car to still use a rear-wheel-drive-only setup, while a six-speed manual gearbox can also be specified as an option, though an eight-speed automatic sport transmission is the default.
Promises plenty of driving enjoyment
Sticking with the point above, the driving experience is front and centre of what the M2 is about, and BMW is confident this is remaining, with the firm saying it ‘encapsulates the pure joy of driving’.
An M differential is also fitted as standard while the M2’s chassis is an adaption of the M3 and M4, but with a shorter wheelbase and 50:50 weight distribution. Electronically controlled adaptive dampers are also fitted as standard.
Muscular design
The regular 2 Series Coupe is already quite a muscly-looking car, but BMW has really taken things up a notch with the M2. It’s noticeably wider than the standard car, while also gaining a new frameless grille, along with large air intakes in the front end.
Other performance touches include a lightweight carbon-fibre roof as standard, while around the rear the M2 gets a large rear diffuser and BMW’s trademark quad exhaust exists. A bold new colour – Zandvoort Blue – is also available exclusively on the M2.
High-tech interior and generous equipment
Though a regular 2 Series Coupe doesn’t get BMW’s Curved Display (yet at least), the M2 is getting this from the offset. It’s an impressive setup, and one that blends a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen.
BMW has also massively improved the standard equipment offering with the M2, with highlights including an M-specific head-up display, three-zone climate control, a reversing camera and Harman Kardon sound system.
The BMW M2 will be launched in May 2023, with prices starting from £61,495.
