The new BMW M2 has been revealed ahead of its 2023 UK release date – and is set to be a landmark model for the famous 50-year-old high-performance brand. A two-door, four-seat coupe rival to the Porsche 718 Cayman S, Alpine A110, Audi TTRS and the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, the new BMW M2 is priced from £61,495 and is due for UK launch in May 2023.
As before, the new BMW M2 is powered by s 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo engine. This time, however, it produces 460PS – that’s a full 90PS more than the original BMW M2. It delivers 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds and has a top speed limited to 155mph – or 177mph if those buying or leasing the new BMW M2 choose the optional M Race Track Package. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard; a six-speed manual will be optional. The new BMW M2 looks seriously potent and powerful. It measures 4,575mm long, so is a compact two-door coupe (it is 219mm shorter than a BMW M4 Coupe) – but is almost 1.9 metres wide, which is up to 49mm wider than a regular BMW 2 Series Coupe. Exaggerated, ultra-wide wheelarches wrap around the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels; remarkably, the new BMW M2 has a 44mm wider front track than the regular car. The styling of the new BMW M2 Coupe is focused and purposeful. It has a large, horizontal, frameless BMW kidney grille and a three-section lower air intake with almost rectangular contours, perfect for maximising cooling of the powerful engine and brakes. There are standard 380mm six-piston front brakes and the calipers are finished in red as standard, or blue as an option – complete with colourful BMW M logo. The new BMW M2 has a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic roof as standard. It’s finished in an exposed weave, to contrast with the choice of three body colours. Alpine White solid, Sapphire Black metallic and Brooklyn Grey metallic are familiar; there’s also Toronto Red metallic and an exclusive Zandvoort Blue solid. The 2023 BMW M2 also has a substantial rear diffuser and quad exhaust tailpipes. Inside, standard BMW M Sport seats are upholstered in either Vernasca Black or Cognac leather. They have pronounced side bolsters and an illuminated M logo on their integral head restraints. They’re also fully electric and heated – as are the optional BMW M Carbon bucket seats, which weigh a healthy 11kg less than the standard seats. The structural use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic gives them a striking appearance and they’re upholstered in Merino leather. The new BMW M2 has a standard BMW Curved Display, comprising a 12.3-inch driver display and a central 14.9-inch control display. It features bespoke BMW M2 content and graphics – as does the standard head-up display. It runs the latest BMW Operating System 8 system and includes standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A potent rear-wheel drive car, the new BMW M2 delivers its 460PS skilfully thanks to standard BMW M Drive Professional with M Traction Control. It even has the scope to allow controlled drifts on the racetrack, with just enough electronic assistance to keep things controlled. The M Mode button on the centre console allows further tailoring between Sport, Road and Track settings. The new BMW M2 Coupe isn’t the most fuel-efficient of cars, averaging up to 29.1mpg and emitting from 218g/km CO2. But in terms of sheer character, collectability and cult car status, it has few rivals. Even with prices starting from £61,495, expect the new BMW M2 to be a super-coupe very much in demand when it arrives in the UK from May 2023.
