Performance car releases are fewer and further between than they used to be, but there are still quite a few exciting new cars hitting the streets. The BMW M2 is one of them, and the long-awaited follow-up to the car that many consider BMW’s finest in recent years will arrive in spring 2023.
The new car looks a lot like the old one, and BMW avoided some of the more controversial styling decisions with the M2 that it made with other cars in its performance lineup. A slew of new performance-related tech features and a 453-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine are headline updates for the new car, and BMW continues to offer an enthusiast-friendly 6-speed manual transmission.
- All-new, second-generation model based on 2 Series Coupe
- Standard turbocharged inline-6 engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD), and 6-speed manual transmission
- Updated performance tech includes a new drift analyzer and 10-setting M traction control
- Pricing starts at $63,195
- Global release in April 2023
In some of its newer performance models, BMW went for the big-grille look but kept the M2 somewhat pure. Rather than the oversized maw seen on the M3 and M4, BMW opted for a subtler look, though the signature kidney shape did get an update. The frameless grille features horizontal slats and a unique shape from other BMW front-end designs. Lower air intakes feature rectangular shapes to improve airflow to the brakes and other components, and BMW says it designed the car’s headlights with a nod to the classic 02 models. The LED daytime running lights also serve as the turn signals and feature a new U-shape on the lower headlight units.
M cars frequently get beefier bodywork to set them apart from their more pedestrian counterparts, and the M2 is no exception. The new M2 has flared fenders that house 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inch wheels in the back. BMW offers a carbon-fiber roof to help lower the car’s center of gravity, and the rear diffuser takes cues from the automaker’s race cars. The new diffuser incorporates the tailpipes and features aerodynamic contours that BMW says direct air behind the car.
The new M2 is available exclusively in a 2-door, 4-seat coupe configuration; a convertible is not currently available. BMW fitted new M Sport seats with more intense bolstering for the new M2. Vernasca leather upholstery is standard, and BMW offers black or cognac interior color schemes. The car is available with M Carbon bucket seats for the first time. They offer power adjustment and heating and bring a 24-pound weight reduction over the standard seats.
Buyers can opt for a slick top or a power moonroof that BMW says is 20-percent larger than the one in the previous car. Aluminum or carbon interior trim is available, and buyers who select carbon get unique shift paddles in the same material.
Only one engine is available in the new M2, but it’s a powerhouse. The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 produces 453 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque. BMW pairs it with a 6-speed manual transmission by default, but the automaker offers an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. The M2 is RWD; all-wheel drive is not available.
Beyond the engine, part of what makes M cars so unique is all the little performance goodies BMW scatters in to improve the cooling and output of various components. The M2 gets an exclusive cooling system that incorporates the car’s front air dam and bodywork to route fresh air to cool vital parts. The car’s oil sump features two separate chambers and more suction power to keep oil flowing when the car is flying around a track.
Underneath, the car shares a platform with the M3 and M4 and gets additional bracing to improve stiffness. BMW says it braced nearly every part of the chassis and notes that the suspension system’s design helps maintain stability in corners while delivering a comfortable ride at other times. The Adaptive M Suspension also offers three stiffness settings.
Two large touchscreens form an expansive curved display in the new M2. The touchscreen measures 14.9 inches and offers cloud-based navigation as standard. A 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster accompanies it, with integrated M shift lights at the top of the display. The system runs on BMW iDrive 8, which offers over-the-air updates and a 5G eSim that allows the car to act as another device on a driver’s mobile phone plan.
Since it’s an M car, the new M2’s infotainment system offers several performance views with insights into vehicle conditions and systems. There’s a lap timer and a drift analyzer to help drivers understand their performance, and the system offers granular detail on things like the distance, angle, and duration of a skid.
The BMW M2 competes with a wide variety of hot cars from around the globe. The Porsche 718 Cayman is an excellent alternative with incredible handling and agility, but it lacks back seats, which may not be for everyone. Then, there’s the new Nissan Z, which is less expensive than the new M2 but slower. Buyers will likely most seriously consider BMW’s other M cars in the M3 and M4, but they’re both larger, less agile, and more expensive, so there’s a penalty in moving up the M ladder in some regards.
BMW is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of October 11, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
