Key Points
- 338kW/550Nm from BMW’s masterful S58 twin-turbo inline-six
- Rear-drive only, manual standard, eight-speed auto is an option
- Yes, that’s really how it will look
After a development path dripping with leaks – the hugely talked-about 2023 BMW M2 has finally been officially revealed.
Debuting a bold new look, with the powerhouse S58 twin-turbo inline-six lifted from its bigger M3/M4 siblings, the latest G42-based M2 represents the last all-new M car powered purely by internal combustion.
Specific timing and price has yet to be officially confirmed, but an Australian launch is expected around mid-2023 with customer deliveries expected to follow shortly thereafter. Global production is scheduled for December 2022.
As is tradition, M Division’s pocket-rocket adopts that primal small car, big engine philosophy, borrowing the masterful S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six from its M3/M4 siblings and spits out 338kW and 550Nm. The new M2 powers the rear wheels only. It remains to be seen whether a Competition xDrive variant sprouts further down the pipeline.
That’s down a nominal 7kW from the non-Competition M3, but is also a neat 7kW more than the old flagship M2 CS.
The all-new M2 powers the rear wheels only. It remains to be seen whether a Competition xDrive variant sprouts from the pipeline, but it will be built from the factory as standard with a six-speed manual, with the ZF eight-speed automatic available as an option.
BMW quotes 4.3-seconds from 0-100km/h in the manual, and 4.1-seconds in the ZF eight-speed.
The new M2 measures 120 millimetres longer, 15mm wider and 10mm lower than its predecessor, with its wide blistered haunches provided by adopting the same track widths as the larger M4. The manual vehicle’s kerb weight is quoted at 1710 kilograms and the automatic, 1725kg.
BMW claims an even 50:50 weight distribution, and has fitted its M2 with an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension and variable ratio steering.
Staggered 19/20-inch wheels, just like the M3/M4, wear 27535 front and 285/30 rear tyres, cornered by 380mm six-pot front and 370mm single-piston rear brakes.
A 12.3-inch digital driver display, merging with a central 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, provides the centrepiece to the G-series M2, displaying M-exclusive graphics.
The M3 and M4’s divisive optional carbon sports seats, along with a carbon fibre roof and other composite-clad packages, will be available as options.
Elsewhere, three-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated satellite navigation and ambient lighting feature as standard equipment.
Safety items will include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, parking sensors and rear view camera.
With the international launch set to take place in April 2023, an Australian launch is expected to follow around mid-next year.
Pricing and timing is yet to be confirmed, but we will update this story as more information is revealed.
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Keyword: 2023 BMW M2 revealed, expected locally next year