All-new, fastest-ever, G87 BMW M2 revealed ahead of 2023 launch date as BMW M celebrates 50 years
This is the all-new G87 BMW M2, based on the latest G42-generation rear-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series Coupe. Powered by a 460hp (454bhp) version of the familiar 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight six, the new car boasts a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds and a 177mph top speed in its sportiest guise. The all-new BMW M2 is due for a full launch in May 2023, with prices set to start at £61,495.
Crucially, BMW M has included a six-speed manual gearbox option alongside an M Steptronic eight-speed automatic. The transmission, BMW says, features ratios and gear spread that are “perfectly matched to the performance characteristics of the engine” alongside an auto-blip system that BMW calls Gear Shift Assistant.
The BMW M2 is touted as a compact sports car but actually measures in at 114mm longer, 16mm wider and 11mm lower than the car it replaces, with a wheelbase that’s 54mm longer. However, BMW points out that the new car is still 219mm shorter than its BMW M4 Coupe sibling. The M2 is considerably more muscle-bound than the standard 2 Series Coupe, with 49mm of extra width to accommodate front and rear tracks that equal the larger M4.
The car’s extra width is emphasised further by its aggressive bodykit, large frameless kidney grille and rear diffuser, set off by BMW M’s trademark quad tailpipes. The car can be had in Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Brooklyn Grey, Toronto Red (pictured), or the model-specific hue Zandvoort Blue.
BMW stops short of offering a claimed weight for the new M2 but a number of weight-saving measures are standard-fit, including a carbon fibre roof and M-specific staggered 19in and 20in alloy wheels. Optional M Carbon bucket seats save 10.8kg over the standard items. A near-50:50 weight distribution is claimed, which bodes well for the car’s dynamic ability.
As is the norm for modern M-cars, the M2 allows drivers to tweak settings for engine, chassis, steering, brakes and traction control. The latter is a ten-stage system that offers the ability to gradually decrease the level of electronic intervention, while two separate individual set-ups incorporating all of the above can be saved and switched between via the Setup button on the centre console.
The M2 gets M-specific speed-sensitive power steering and adaptive suspension as standard, along with six-piston, 380mm brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper, 370mm brakes at the rear.
Inside, the M2’s racy cabin is dominated by the standard-fit, up-to-date BMW Curved Display, which incorporates a 12.3in information display alongside a 14.9in control display. The display features M-specific graphics as part of BMW Live Cockpit Professional in its M2 application. A head-up display is also standard.
The raciest box available to tick on the options list is the M Race Track Package. This includes the aforementioned M Carbon seats, performance track tyres, plus a raising of the electronically limited top speed to 177mph.
Based on price and performance, the new BMW M2’s direct rivals will include the Porsche Cayman GTS and Alpine A110S, along with the forthcoming four-cylinder version of the all-new Lotus Emira that’s set to arrive in Q2 of 2023.
