A six-speed manual gearbox is offered as an option too

BMW yesterday took the wraps off the all-new M2, another model that is here to celebrate the M brand's 50th anniversary.

All set to arrive in showrooms around the world beginning March 2023, the new M2 measures 214 mm less in exterior length than the BMW M4 Coupé models and has a 110-mm shorter wheelbase.

At the same time, the vehicle and track widths exceed the figures for the new BMW 2 Series Coupé by a considerable margin.

The large, frameless BMW kidney grille with its horizontal bars combines with a three-section lower air intake with almost rectangular contours to give the front end of the car a familiar M look. 

Meanwhile the rear end of the new BMW M2 features a spoiler lip on the boot lid, vertically arranged reflectors, and two pairs of exhaust tailpipes positioned a long way in from the outer edges.

The choice of five exterior paint finishes available for the new BMW M2 includes the Zandvoort Blue solid and Toronto Red metallic shades exclusive to this model.

An M Carbon roof that reduces vehicle weight by around 6kg is offered as an option.

Powering the M2 is the same 3.0-litre 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine kicking out 460 hp and 550 Nm, which is 90 hp more than before.

The engine’s power is relayed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard, while a six-speed manual gearbox is available as an option.

The new BMW M2 completes the sprint to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and in 4.3 seconds when fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox. 

It is capable of powering from 0 to 200 km/h in 13.5 seconds (automatic) or 14.3 seconds (manual). The limited top speed of the new BMW M2 can be raised from 250 km/h to 285 km/h by specifying the optional M Driver’s Package.

Complementing the powertrain package are features like the standard M Traction Control function , an M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps, as well as the Active M Differential at the rear axle.

Besides M Traction Control, the standard-fit M Drive Professional also includes the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer. Plus, the M Mode button on the centre console can be used to adjust both the level of driver assistance system activity and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display, with a choice of Road, Sport and Track settings.

Other standard equipment include the adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including M Dynamic Mode, and powerful M Compound brakes with six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper brakes at the rear. 

The new BMW M2 also comes with 19-inch light-alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch items at the rear, each representing an increase of one inch on the diameter of the wheels fitted as standard on the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models. There is also the option of fitting them with track tyres.

In the cabin, the new M2 boasts a cockpit with a driver-centric design featuring M-specific readouts, controls and setup options, as well as the advanced BMW Curved Display. 

While both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive, smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included as standard, and there is also a 5G antenna system for optimised connectivity.

The driver and front passenger are welcomed as standard by sport seats in a model-specific design with Sensatec/Alcantara surfaces. M Sport seats with integral head restraints and perforated surfaces in Vernasca leather/Sensatec are available as an alternative. 

Other comfort features fitted as standard in the new BMW M2 include three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Plus complete with BMW Maps navigation system, ambient lighting and the Hi-Fi speaker system.

Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance Control functions all come as standard.