New BMW M2 gets 460hp turbo six, RWD

Second-gen M2 takes on the Porsche 718 Cayman; will also come with an optional manual gearbox.

Published On Oct 12, 2022 01:00:00 PM

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BMW has taken the wraps off the second-gen M2 coupe. This new BMW M2 coupe is the final pure-combustion offering from Munich’s storied BMW M division, seeing out the era with drastic increases in power, performance and poise compared with its acclaimed predecessor.

New BMW M2 will be built in Mexico
Expected to be sold globally in a single variant
Takes on the Porsche 718 Cayman

New BMW M2: Bavaria’s latest Porsche 718 Cayman rival

The new BMW M2’s unveil rounds off a particularly busy year for BMW’s M division, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and debuted the hardcore M4 CSL, the first-ever M3 Touring, the M Hybrid V8 endurance racer, the updated M8 and – most recently – the XM SUV, its first plug-in hybrid and second-ever bespoke model. In India, BMW has been rolling out back to back 50 Jahre M special edition models based on the BMW X4, 5 Series and others.

The M2 will take on the likes of the Porsche 718 Cayman and the pricier variants of the Alpine A110. BMW has described the M2 as a spiritual successor to the legendary 2002 Turbo sports coupe (and more directly, the short-lived 1 Series M coupe). It must be noted that the original model, which bowed out in 2020, quickly became the bestselling car in the M line-up, ultimately racking up over 60,000 units globally.

New BMW M2: design and styling

The new M2 comes with a purposeful bodykit that comprises a rear spoiler, a low-slung, GT-style rear diffuser, quad-exit exhausts and a bespoke front end with frameless horizontal kidney grilles and wide-set headlights. The headlight is inspired by the 02 family of coupes that BMW produced from 1966 to 1977.

As standard, the M2 comes fitted with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear lightweight alloy wheels, but it can be upgraded with 1-inch larger rims on each axle.

Other optional upgrades include a carbon-fibre roof, which nets a 6kg loss (from 1,700kg), and a lower centre of gravity. Possibly the most significant upgrade is the M Race Track package, which adds carbon-fibre bucket seats and removes the 250kph speed limiter, giving the M2 a 285kph top speed.

New BMW M2: chassis and dimensions

As far as dimensions go, the new M2 is 219mm shorter than the M4 – at 4,575mm from bumper to bumper – but 114mm longer than the previous-generation M2.

This second-gen M2, will be built in Mexico alongside the standard 2 Series coupe, but it’s as far removed from that car as the M3 is from the 3 Series, and, in fact, most of its track-honed drivetrain chassis hardware is lifted from that larger, more powerful saloon.

Headline chassis upgrades over the 2 Series extend to new stiffening braces for the front struts and bespoke aluminium sub-frame, reinforced C-pillars and track-focused, M-specific adaptive suspension and steering calibrations. Stopping power, meanwhile, is provided by huge 380mm front and 370mm rear discs, gripped by six- and single-piston calipers, respectively, painted blue or red.

For now, the M2 will be sold globally with just one engine option and the choice of an automatic or a manual gearbox. M bosses, however, haven't ruled out the possibility of more hardcore, limited-edition additions to the line-up in the future. As our sister publication Autocar UK recently reported, a lightweight, firmed-up M2 ‘CSL’ is set to follow with a more extreme design treatment to match its increased power and heightened track focus.

New BMW M2: powertrain

From launch, the M2 takes its power from a variation of the ‘B58’ 3.0-litre straight six – used by the M3 and M4 – making 460hp and 550Nm of torque to propel the coupe from 0-100kph in just 4.1sec (with the automatic gearbox) and on to a limited 250kph – performance figures that make it nearly as quick as the M4.

In line with that purist focus, the M2 is also offered with a manual gearbox. This generation of the M2, will be sold globally in just one guise – unlike the previous car. The previous gen was offered only in Competition form in the Indian market.

New BMW M2: will it come to India?

While there is no official announcement on an India entry for the new BMW M2, we expect the manufacturer to introduce the new M2 in India sometime next year.

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