Compact dimensions together with powertrain and chassis technology
adapted from the BMW M3/BMW M4 are at the heart of a vehicle concept
that endows the new edition of the two-door model with beguiling
agility and handling that remain easily controllable even as the
driver explores the car’s limits. This distinct character profile also
manifests itself in the expressive exterior design with its athletic
coupé proportions. The sophisticated control/operating concept for
customising the vehicle setup also helps to produce a performance
experience of remarkable intensity. Thanks to these many attributes,
the new BMW M2 continues the brand’s tradition of ultra-sporty models
with compact dimensions that began in 1973 with the arrival of the
BMW 2002 turbo. It is also building on the success of its predecessor,
which notched up nearly 60,000 sales worldwide.
The global launch of the new BMW M2 will get underway in April 2023.
It will be built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupé at the BMW
Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico.
Compact dimensions, extremely powerful proportions.
The athletic appearance of the new BMW M2 stems from its compact
dimensions, extremely powerful proportions and hallmark M design
features. It measures 214 millimetres less in exterior length than the
BMW M4 Coupé models and has a 110-millimetre 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. The
design has been crafted around technical requirements in terms of
cooling air supply and aerodynamic balance. Clearly designed surfaces,
prominently flared side skirts and muscular wheel arches set the tone
for the side view. The rear end of the new BMW M2 also has a compact,
powerful feel and adds a number of individual touches in the form of
the eye-catching spoiler lip on the boot lid, the vertically arranged
reflectors, the rear apron’s diffuser insert – with its puristic
design – and the 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 six kilograms is offered as an option.
Six-cylinder in-line engine with instantaneous power delivery
and a thrilling appetite for revs.
The version of the straight-six engine developed for the compact
high-performance model with M TwinPower Turbo technology and
high-revving design stands out with its M-typical performance
characteristics. Differing only in a small number of details from the
engine employed in the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models, the 3.0-litre unit
thrills with its urgent response, healthy appetite for revs and linear
power delivery into the highest reaches of the engine speed range.
Developing a maximum output of 338 kW/460 hp, the engine under the
bonnet of the new BMW M2 outguns the base unit used by its predecessor
by 66 kW/90 hp. Peak torque of 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) is produced between
2,650 and 5,870 rpm with maximum output arriving at 6,250 rpm. The new
engine revs to a maximum 7,200 rpm. The pulsating build-up of power is
accompanied by an emotionally rich soundtrack generated by the
M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps. The
system of oil supply is designed to handle extremely dynamic driving
situations when out on the track, as is the cooling system.
A choice of performance experience: eight-speed M Steptronic
transmission with Drivelogic as standard, six-speed manual gearbox
as an option.
The engine’s power is relayed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed
M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. Its extremely
sporty gear shifts, direct connection to the engine and ability to
execute multiple downshifts to the lowest available gear form the
ideal basis for beguiling, instantaneous acceleration. It is operated
by means of a selector lever sporting the latest M design as well as
shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Drivelogic function offers a
choice of three shift settings.
A six-speed manual gearbox is available as an option for anyone
seeking a performance experience in the classical mould, rooted in the
intense interaction between driver and car. It lends itself to a
sporty style of driving thanks not only to its precisely defined shift
action, but also the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed
control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking
into corners. If required, the Gear Shift Assistant can be deactivated
in the M Setup menu.
The new BMW M2 completes the sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) from rest 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 (124 mph) 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 (155 mph) to 285 km/h (177 mph) by specifying
the optional M Driver’s Package.
Rear-wheel drive, M Traction Control and Active M Differential
provide agility, precision and driving pleasure as the occasion demands.
Regardless of the choice of transmission, the new BMW M2’s
traditional form of dynamic performance is also embodied by its
rear-wheel drive. The linear build-up of lateral acceleration forces
characteristic of M models helps the driver to guide the car through
corners with controlled drifts, for example. The standard M Traction
Control function is also designed to allow 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.
Another contributor to the sublime dynamics of the BMW M2 is the
Active M Differential at the rear axle. Also included as standard, it
is able to seamlessly generate a locking effect of up to 100 per cent
whenever required. This optimises traction on road surfaces offering
different levels of adhesion for the left- and right-hand rear wheel,
for example, as well as improving power transfer when accelerating
hard out of corners.
Sophisticated chassis technology, precisely controllable handling.
The new BMW M2’s compact dimensions, short wheelbase, almost
perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and sophisticated chassis
technology combine to deliver precisely controllable, fingertip
handling. The car’s agility, dynamism and precision also gain from the
excellent torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis
mountings helped by bespoke bracing.
Both the double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear
axle come with M-specific kinematics. The standard equipment roster
for the new BMW M2 includes 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
integrated braking system presents the driver with two pedal feel
settings. The new BMW M2 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.
Advanced sports car cockpit with BMW Curved Display as
standard and the option of M Carbon bucket seats.
The new BMW 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. Driving-related information including
Shift Lights appears in a new graphical layout on the 12.3-inch
information display. M-specific widgets for vehicle setup and tyre
condition are just two of the items that can be called up in the
14.9-inch control display. The optional BMW Head-Up Display also
features M-specific readouts.
Both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal
Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive. Based on
BMW Operating System 8, it has been purpose designed for intuitive
interaction between driver and vehicle using touch control and natural
language. 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. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android
Auto™ is likewise included as standard on the new BMW M2, 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. The
M Carbon bucket seats that can also be found on the options list 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, thereby shaving around
10.8 kilograms off the vehicle’s weight.
Three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Maps navigation
system, Setup button and M Drive Professional as standard.
The 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. When it comes to automated driving and parking
systems, the Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with
no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance
Control functions all come as standard. The Driving Assistant, Active
Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and the Parking Assistant
including Reversing Assistant are just some of the options available.
The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the
settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and
M Traction Control, as well as the Gear Shift Assistant if fitted. Two
overall vehicle setups can be stored and then retrieved using the
M buttons on the steering wheel.
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.
Also on the options list is 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.
