Joining the many debuts and special editions that celebrate the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH is the newly unveiled all-new BMW M2. Set to be launched worldwide in April 2023, the all-new M2 will be built in BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupe.
With bulging fenders and a distinct “M” face on the outside, you already know that the M2 packs some serious performance underneath the skin. The compact coupe houses a 3.0-litre inline-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. Only differing slightly from the M3/M4 engine, the M2’s power unit makes 460 hp @ 6,250 rpm and 550 Nm @ 2,650-5,870 rpm. It adds an additional 90 hp over its predecessor. BMW says the new M2 engine revs up to a maximum of 7,200 rpm.
Orchestrating the inline-six engine is an M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps. To enable an intense track driving experience, the oil supply system and cooling system have been beefed up on the all-new M2.
All power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission as standard. The eight-speed automatic transmission’s Drivelogic function offers a choice of three shift settings – one for comfort, one for sporty driving, and one track-optimised configuration.
There is also an optional six-speed manual gearbox should you fancy shifting your own gears. The M2 does the 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.1 seconds with the eight-speed automatic transmission and 4.3 seconds with the six-speed manual box.
Sporting a rear-wheel-drive system, the all-new M2 is equipped with BMW’s M Traction Control and Active M Differential. The M Traction control allows the driver to carefully probe the vehicle’s performance limits by setting individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation, with a choice of ten stages.
The Active M Differential (at the rear axle) is able to generate a locking effect of up to 100% whenever required. This optimises traction on road surfaces, offering different levels of adhesion for the left- and the right-hand rear wheel as well as improving power transfer when accelerating hard out of corners.
Underpinning the all-new BMW M2 is a double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear axle with M-specific kinematics. Standard on the all-new M2 are:
Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampersM Servotronic steering with variable ratioDynamic Stability Control (DSC) including M Dynamic ModeM Compound brakes with six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper brakes at the rear.
On the outside, the all-new M2 features a large, frameless kidney grille with horizontal bars and a three-section lower air intake with almost rectangular contours. Combined, this gives the M2’s front end a familiar M look. At the rear of the M2 are a spoiler lip on the boot lid, vertically arranged reflectors, diffuser inserts, and quad tailpipes.
Wheels on the new M2 are 19-inch light alloy wheels in front and 20-inch allow wheels at the rear. Customers also have the option of fitting them with track tyres from the factory.
The cockpit features a driver-centric design with M-specific readouts, controls and setup options, as well as the advanced BMW Curved Display. Driving-related information including Shift Lights appears in a new graphical layout on the 12.3-inch information display.
In the middle of the dashboard is a 14.9-inch control display that features M-specific widgets for vehicle setup and tyre condition. Both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive. The new BMW iDrive system enables personalisation with the BMW ID and My BMW App as well as allowing a Personal eSIM to be used in the vehicle. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity are likewise included.
Standard seats in the all-new M2 are M2-specific sport seats with Sensatec/Alcantara surfaces. Alternatively, customers can opt for M Sport seats with integral head restraints and perforated surfaces in Vernasca leather/Sensatec. There is also the option to upgrade to M Carbon bucket seats that shave 10.8 kg of the vehicle’s weight. The M Carbon seats use carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest and also feature cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints.
Optional items for the all-new BMW M2 include the M Race Track Package, comprising the M Driver’s Package together with the M Carbon roof, M Carbon bucket seats, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and track tyres.
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Keyword: All-new BMW M2 unveiled – 460hp, 550 Nm, 6-speed manual