The new BMW M2 has landed on South African shores, making its global debut yesterday at a media preview for this weekend’s BMW M Fest.
The sports car is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of 2023, and the pricing will be revealed closer to the launch date.
Form follows function
The redesigned M2 sports a new body that is as practical as it is visually striking with its more muscular proportions in the front and rear.
Aerodynamics is the keyword here, as it forms the basis for many of the new design elements such as the new frameless kidney grille that’s noticeably smaller than the ones found on many of BMW’s other recent models, and adding to the effect are flared wheel arches, a rear apron diffuser, and a subtle boot-lip spoiler.
This time around, the M2 has a pair of 19-inch wheels in the front and a larger set of 20-inch rims in the back, playing into the rear-wheel-drive nature of the car.
The particular model shown off to the media also sported the Zandvoort Blue paint scheme, which is one of the two colours exclusive to this model alongside a metallic Toronto Red.
Another new feature is an optional carbon fibre roof, which cuts down on weight by about 6kg while adding another aesthetic touch, and rounding out the visual package is a pair of signature M-specific exhausts with a suitably aggressive tone to match the rest of the car.
However, even with additions like the carbon fibre roof, the new vehicle is about 500kg heavier than its predecessor, which BMW attributes to its generally larger body and the new standard equipment.
The equipment in question refers to the increasingly digital nature of BMW’s interiors.
In the M2’s case, this means a new curved dual-screen comprising a 14.9-inch driver’s display and 12.3-inch infotainment unit with smartphone pairing, as well as track functions like an M lap timer and drift analyzer.
Other amenities consist of sports seats in Alcantara, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, front collision warnings, parking sensors, lane departure warnings, and a no-overtaking indicator.
M Performance
Under the hood of the second-generation M2 is a burly 3.0-litre, in-line six, twin-turbo engine which produces a total of 338kW and 550Nm.
As standard, the M-branded car will be sold with an eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox, though some markets will also have the option of a six-speed manual transmission.
It has not been confirmed whether South Africa will receive this gearbox, however at the launch event, BMW South Africa CEO Peter Van Binsbergen said that he would “very much like” for the country to have the option of the manual as he believes it is “right for this market.”
In either case, power will be sent to the aforementioned rear-wheel-drive system, and this gives the sporty coupe a blistering 0-100km/h time of 4.1 seconds with the automatic and 4.3 seconds with the manual.
Reaching 200km/h, meanwhile, is handled in 13.5 and 14.3 seconds, respectively. The M2’s top speed is also limited to 250km/h, though an optional M Driver’s Package raises this to 285km/h.
Of course, as a model bearing the brand’s most athletic designation, its track performance is not just relegated to its drivetrain specs, as the BMW has a number of additional handling features.
This includes a set of M Compound brakes, an active differential with a locking effect for better control out of the corners, and a traction control system with no less than 10 different grip stages.
BMW M2
Keyword: First look at the new BMW M2 in South Africa