New BMW M2 gets six-cylinder M4 engine and a manual gearbox

• 453bhp engine from BMW M4
• Manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions
• Available to order now from £61,495

After being leaked online a couple of weeks ago, the all-new BMW M2 has been revealed. Sitting as the high-performance version of BMW’s own 2 Series sports coupe, the M2 boasts several mechanical upgrades over its lesser sibling such as a quad-exit exhaust, beefier suspension and a muscular six-cylinder petrol engine, taken from the larger BMW M4.

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The new BMW M2 is available to order now, starting from £61,495. Of course, as is the case with BMW’s M-badged cars, the options available to buyers will be plentiful and expensive, meaning well-specced examples will leave showrooms in 2023 costing over £70,000. The M2 sits rather alone in the shrinking world of sports coupes, with its closest rivals being the less-practical Toyota Supra and Porsche 718 Cayman.

As you can see, the M2 gets a much more aggressive bodykit than the standard 2 Series. The track width (the distance between the wheels on each axle) grows by 49mm at the front and 18mm at the back in order to fit wider tyres and improve stability at high speeds. At the front, the M2 gets the same horizontal slats on the kidney grille as the BMW M3, however many will be thankful the smaller M2 doesn’t get that car’s controversial flared nostrils.

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Under the bonnet, the new BMW M2 utilises the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine as the M3 and M4. Here, it has been slightly detuned and sends a still-impressive 453bhp to the rear wheels. From a standstill, the M2 will get from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds and will continue onto a top speed of 177mph when the M Driver Package is fitted; top speed is limited to 155mph as standard.

Like before, the BMW M2 will be available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, meaning that the M-badged model is the only 2 Series Coupe available with three pedals. Other upgrades over the standard 2 Series include a limited-slip differential, adaptive M suspension, lightweight 19/20-inch alloy wheels, a carbon fibre roof and a sports exhaust system with a distinct quad-tailpipe design.

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Buyers that wish to improve the performance of their M2 even further can opt for a pair of carbon fibre bucket seats which BMW claims will shave a total of over 10kg off the car’s total weight. Of course, these won’t be quite as comfortable over long journeys as the standard-fit electric options.

First deliveries are expected to begin in May 2023, although buyers may have to wait even longer as demand for BMW’s M-badged cars is typically high. While the M2 may seem like the ultimate edition of the 2 Series Coupe, we expect to see even more hardcore variants come in the future, including a BMW M2 Competition version that’s adjusted for track day use.

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