Has BMW let you down in recent years? They seem to have been hit by the ugly stick as of late, and all the buff books complain how technology seemingly has replaced the human touch. Perhaps you can consider the all-new M2 and how it is going to make you feel like old times … kinda.
Upon first glance, the M2 does not feature that gawd-awful exaggerated kidney grille. It almost looks normal, actually and, golly gee, the standard transmission is a six-speed manual. Are the Teutonic gods looking down upon us?
“The new M2 encapsulates the sheer joy of driving; compact dimensions, an inline 6-cylinder engine, a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and advanced technology are all central to its appeal,” says BMW.
If you are an automotive atheist up to this point, then you should recognize the collective glory of the spirits and yell, “Das ist gut!” at the top of your lungs at Mount Bavaria because the new M2 features a twin-turbo 3-liter six with 453 horsepower. This is 48 more than the outgoing model, which is a substantial increase. Somewhat impressively, that’s only a 20-horse deficit from the M4, which makes one wonder where the glory spotlight really should be shining because it’s been said that the M2 is the heir apparent to the purity of the M3 of yore.
The optional “dynamic” 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic has the ability to work as a twin-clutch unit or a more traditional automatic with torque converter. Acceleration with the standard six-speed reaches 60 in 4.1 seconds, while the automatic … er, M Steptronic does the same sprint in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is a computer-limited 155 mph, while those with the optional M Driver’s Package can reach 177 mph. What is the M Driver’s Package? Good question, as BMW hasn’t fully divulged what it will consist of, though the option for the previous-generation M2 included a one-day performance driving course tailored to the M2, and some tweaks to the software to allow for the higher top speed — to quote Linda Richman, “Big whoop.”
An M Carbon roof is an available option for those who want to brag they spent money on things that make the M2 look less attractive, though obviously there is the added benefit of lower center of gravity and weight (naturally) and, hence, better handling.
Standard are double-spoke light-allow wheels (19 inches up front, 20 inches out back) with a finish called Jet Black; optionally is a bi-color finish at no charge.
The M2 continues to be somewhat diminutive in terms of interior space, but the 3,814-pound weight (per Motor Trend) belies its size. That’s contrary to the feeling of old times unless you are thinking of a 50-year-old Nova with 300 pounds of Old Style beer in the trunk. To give you an idea of its size, the wheelbase is 108.1 inches and the length is 180.3 inches, which is 2.1 longer than the outgoing model (and 4.3 inches shorter than an M4), which means legroom out back may actually be tolerable for those on the higher side of the bell curve. Up front, redesigned M Sport seats with more pronounced side bolsters upholstered in Vernasca leather will be available in Black or Cognac. Optional are track-ready M Carbon buckets, which are part of the optional Carbon Package, feature gee-whiz illuminated M2 badges on the head rests as well as a weight-savings of 24 pounds.
Inside, you’ll be greeted with the standard BMW Curved Display, which is angled towards the driver like a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. The configuration includes the combination of a 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch control display, contributing to a focused, performance-led driving experience according to BMW.
In the endless zeal for M-branded everything, there is M Drive Professional, which includes the M Laptimer and M Drift Analyzer. The former “records both the current lap time and the time difference compared with the fastest lap around the circuit during the current session,” while the latter “helps the driver to sharpen their high-speed cornering skills using deliberate oversteer and precise counter-steering, recording the duration, distance and angle of the driver’s latest drift.”
Below you can read up on the standard and optional equipment packages available for the M2. Set to launch globally in April 2023, BMW has yet to apply a model year for the new model but, if I were a betting man, I’d say it’s a 2024 model.
Major Standard Equipment
- Manual transmission
- 19”/20” M Light Alloy Jet Black Double-Spoke 930M wheels with mixed tires
- Vernasca Leather upholstery
- Heated M Sport seats
- BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8 and BMW Maps
- M Drive Professional
- Illuminated M Trim
Optional Equipment Packages
- Shadowline Package
- M Shadowline Lights
- Exhaust tips in black
- Carbon Package
- M Carbon roof
- M Carbon bucket seats in Black Full Merino Leather with M Color Highlight
- Carbon fiber trim
- Lighting Package
- Adaptive Full LED headlights
- Automatic High Beams
Standalone Options
- Remote engine start
- 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Drivelogic
- M Compound brakes with red calipers
- Active Cruise Control
- Personal eSIM 5G
- Live Cockpit Professional including Head-Up Display
- M Driver’s Package
- M Carbon roof
- Carbon fiber trim
- Parking Assistant
- Wireless Device Charging
- 19”/20” M Light Alloy Bi-Color Double-Spoke 930M Wheels with mixed tires
- Heated Steering Wheel
Exterior Paints
- Alpine White
- Zandvoort Blue
- Black Sapphire metallic
- Toronto Red metallic
- Brooklyn Grey metallic
Interior Upholsteries
- Black Vernasca Leather with M Color Stitching
- Black Vernasca Leather with Blue Contrast Stitching
- Cognac Vernasca Leather with Contrast Stitching
- Black Full Merino Leather with M Color Highlight
Interior Trims
- Black High Gloss
- Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
- Carbon Fiber
Source: www.classiccars.com