BMW M2 Competition: 410 CV for the total sports car

Neither M3 nor M4. The total sports car from BMW is called the BMW M2 Competition, the most fun car to drive in the German brand’s lineup, and a new benchmark among compact sports cars.

Given the name, you might think the BMW M2 Competition is a more powerful and lighter version of the BMW M2. In reality, it is its replacement. And the real big changes are under the bonnet, where we find the same twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder inline engine as the BMW M3 and M4, although here BMW has limited the power to 410 CV, delivered at 7,000 rpm. That’s… 40 CV more than the previous BMW M2, which was not exactly short on power!

With a peak torque of 550 Nm between 2,350 and 5,200 rpm, the BMW M2 Competition accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds with the M DCT double-clutch seven-speed gearbox, and needs two tenths more with the manual gearbox. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h as standard, a limit that rises to 280 km/h when fitted with the M Driver’s Package. The quoted consumption is 9.2 l/100 km for the M DCT version, and 9.9 l/100 km with the manual gearbox. To reduce polluting emissions, the BMW M2 Competition is fitted with a particulate filter. The exhaust system is also new, with two electronically controlled flaps.

Among the possible rivals to the BMW M2 Competition, for driving feel we would choose a Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, whose engine produces 365 CV. In a compact format, with coupé bodywork and more than 400 CV, another alternative would be the Audi TT RS.

An BMW M2 with an M4 heart

To fit the BMW M4 engine into the M2 Competition, BMW had to adjust the front design to improve cooling, although there are also other changes driven by aesthetics, and two new body colours arrive, including an exclusive metallic silver with the evocative name Hockenheim.

A bar made of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) weighing barely 1.5 kg connects the suspension towers, providing greater body rigidity. Both the electromechanical power steering and the M active differential or the stability control receive a set-up with specific adjustments. The differential can vary its locking effect from 0 to 100 percent, depending on driving style. In addition, it works proactively, meaning it anticipates by limiting lock to a set percentage even before one of the rear wheels can begin to lose grip and spin too fast. The M Dynamic Mode function of the DSC stability control is designed for maximum enjoyment, allowing controlled slides by delaying DSC intervention.

As a consequence of the power increase, BMW has also thoroughly addressed any hint of braking issues, offering as an option high-performance M Sport brakes for the most demanding drivers. As well as larger discs, they use 6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston at the rear axle. The wheels are 19 inches, with tyres sized 245/35 at the front and 265/35 at the rear.

Ready to enjoy sporty driving

Everything in the BMW M2 Competition is designed for maximum driving enjoyment, including the driving position, where the spectacular competition-derived M Sport bucket seats are available as an option. They have integrated headrests and feature an illuminated M2 badge at shoulder height.

On the steering wheel, two buttons, M1 and M2, provide direct access to the different driving programmes. As standard they are set up with a Comfort and a Sport programme, but the driver can choose their preferred configuration.

Even so, the BMW M2 Competition does not forgo the connectivity options and mobility services characteristic of the brand through BMW ConnectedDrive. Nor are the driver assistance systems forgotten, although many of them are relegated to the options list. The adaptive LED headlights and parking distance control do become standard.

BMW M2 Competition image gallery