BMW’s second generation M2 is all set to arrive in a cloud of tyre smoke in April 2023. The compact two door coupé will come with a 453bhp TwinPower turbo inline six-cylinder, and a ten-position traction control system complete with a drift analyser function.
The new M2 is 112mm longer than its predecessor and 33mm wider, but, at 4580mm in overall length, it’s still significantly more compact than an M4. Lessons have clearly been learned from the bigger coupé, however, as the M2 has a much more palatable take on the brand’s twin kidney grille. The headlights are said to be inspired by the 2002, although you’ll have to look closely to see the circular lenses inside the narrow housing.
The biggest distraction (or attraction) is down to the massive cooling and aero ducting however, which dominates the front end. Move along the profile and you’ll see the flared arches housing a choice of 19- or 20-inch alloys, and the bold sill extensions you’d expect from an M2, while at the rear a diffuser “with racing authenticity” and quad tailpipes can’t be missed. The roof, incidentally can be specified in CSL-style carbon fibre, saving 6kg.
Dialling up the driver involvement is a rear-wheel-drive only configuration, and a standard-issue six-speed manual transmission. For manual drivers who haven’t quite mastered the art of heel-and-toe there’s a Gear Shift Assistant to rev-match downshifts, while two-pedallers will be pleased to hear that an eight-ratio M Steptronic shift will also be available. In fact it’s the auto that’s marginally more rapid, reaching 60mph from rest in 3.9 seconds compared to the manual’s 4.1. Top speed is 155mph as standard, but an M Driver’s Package removes the limiter so the M2 can hit an autobahn-busting 177mph.
That’s thanks to the three-litre S58 engine which delivers 453bhp at 6250rpm and redlines at 7200rpm. Peak torque of 406lb ft comes in as low as 2650rpm making it an extremely tractable motor that’s equally keen to hit the high revs. Internally there’s a particularly rigid crankcase, friction-optimised cylinder bores, a high torsional-rigidity crankshaft drive and forged crankshaft. Plus you get those BMW trademarks of Valvetronic variable valve timing and double-VANOS variable camshaft timing.
Stopping is the job of M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed calipers and 15-inch discs at the front, and floating caliper single-piston 14.6-inch discs at the rear. Drivers can choose from two different pedal feel settings to suit their driving style – one being comfort-biased and the other more direct.
Other chassis and drivetrain highlights include an Active M differential which can provide up to 100 percent lockup and is networked with the Dynamic Stability Control System to maximise traction, plus a variety of braces to increase torsional stiffness. Suspension is by double-joint spring struts at the front and a five-link system at the rear, with adaptive dampers all round.
The M Servotronic steering has Comfort and Sport settings letting drivers choose the heft and directness of the system. All these features and more can be configured in the M Setup menu, but there’s also a single-switch M Mode which basically turns everything up to 11. This is the mode you’ll want if you want to rack up points on the drift analyser or monitor your laps on the built-in timer.
As you punish the tyres through the bends you’ll be glad of the newly-designed M Sport seats or, better still, the optional M Carbon buckets which save 10.8kg and provide even more lateral support. As standard the cabin features a high-gloss black treatment, but aluminium rhombicle anthracite (no, we’ve no idea either) and full carbon schemes are also offered. A curved display is made up of a 12.3 information panel and a 14.9-inch control panel and is angled toward the driver for better clarity, and a head-up display that keeps your eyes on the road ahead is optional.
UK buyers will be able to get hold of the new M2 from May 2023, with pricing starting at £61,495 – a good ten grand more than the previous-generation M2 Competition was at launch, but a useful saving on the near-£80k an M4 will set you back.
This article was originally published on Hagerty US.
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