New BMW M2, a clear tribute to the legendary BMW 2002

The BMW M2 has just been officially unveiled and has broken with tradition. Now, the new BMW M2 features a six-cylinder inline engine TwinPower Turbo with 460 CV, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox or, as an option, an eight-speed automatic. Do you need anything else to have a great time?

Built exclusively at the BMW plant in Mexico for the whole world. Like other earlier M cars, the new M2 sports a completely revised front end featuring wide, frameless kidney grilles that are square at the upper corners and narrow towards the bottom for a smoother shape. The kidneys are actually restricted in comparison to the air intakes on either side of the front bumper: block-like air inlets that are mounted in another monolithic cutout in the center.

BMW M2, the new Bavarian flagship?

The rear recalls the brand’s Bangle era. It features a pronounced diffuser, four exhaust outlets, a spoiler on the trailing edge and vertical reflectors. The front intakes are said to be optimized to cool the powertrain and brakes. The skirt, combined with the spoiler, generates real aerodynamic downforce for the rear axle. There is also an optional carbon-fibre roof, while the muscular wheel arches allow a wider track than the standard car.

In terms of size, the 2023 BMW M2 measures 4,580 mm long, 1,887 mm wide and 1,402 mm high. It is about 50 mm wider than the standard 2 Series Coupé and 104 mm longer than its predecessor, 33 mm wider and 7.6 mm lower. The sports coupé tips the scales at 1,730 kg in manual form or 1,754 kg with an automatic.

Discreetly beneath the sills are staggered M lightweight alloy wheels: 19 inches at the front shod with 275/35 ZR19 tyres and 20 inches with 285/30 ZR20 at the rear. The double-spoke design comes in jet black as standard or can be specified in two colours at no extra cost.

In a world rapidly moving towards electrification and reducing the number of cylinders in its remaining combustion products, the 2023 BMW M2 retains a 3.0-litre six-cylinder inline engine, with no downsizing or hybrid assistance.

The S58 TwinPower turbo engine produces a healthy 460 CV at 6,250 rpm, and 550 Nm of torque is delivered between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm, while the redline sits at 7,200 rpm. That is a considerable gain over the outgoing car, which produced 416 CV and 500 Nm.