The all-new BMW M2 will launch in Australia next year.

Available with eight-speed M Steptronic automotive or six-speed manual transmission, the pocket rocket two-door, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) M2 will be powered by a 3-litre M TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder inline petrol engine developing 338kW and 550Nm enabling a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.1 seconds for the auto and 4.3 for the manual. Top speed is limited to 250km/h, though this can be raised to 285km/h by specifying an optional M Carbon Experience package.

An M-specific exhaust system has electrically controlled flaps and there are two pairs of 100mm diameter tailpipes. An M Carbon roof will be offered for the first time on a series production M2 and will feature as standard equipment on Australian specification vehicles.

The standard M Traction Control function allows for setting individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation, with a choice of 10 stages.

Also fitted as standard, the Active M Differential generates a locking effect of up to 100 per cent whenever required. This is designed to optimise traction on road surfaces as well as improving power transfer when accelerating hard out of corners.

Standard equipment for the new BMW M2 is extensive, and includes adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including M Dynamic Mode, and a M Compound brake system that comprises 380mm discs with six-piston fixed-calipers at the front and 370mm diameter discs with single-piston floating-calipers at the rear.

The new M2 comes with 19-inch M light-alloys at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear, with double spoke designs in either black or bi-colour styles.

On the inside, the M2 cabin has a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch Control Display as part of the BMW Curved Display. A Head-Up Display, fitted as standard=, also features M-specific readouts and specific graphics.

Both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive. The iDrive system enables full personalisation with the BMW ID and My BMW App, while smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also included as standard, as well as a 5G antenna system for connectivity.

M Carbon bucket seats, which are available as part of the M Carbon Experience package, use carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest. The M Carbon seats are 10.8kg lighter than the standard M Sport seats. The M Carbon seats are trimmed in ‘Merino’ leather.

Comfort features fitted as standard include three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Plus, ambient lighting and a Harmon/Kardon surround sound system.

Automated driving and parking systems include Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Parking Assistant.

The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to full settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M Traction Control, as well as the Gear Shift Assistant if the six-speed manual gearbox is selected.

Besides M Traction Control, the standard-fit M Drive Professional also includes the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer. In addition, the M Mode button on the centre console can be used to adjust both the level of driver assistance and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display, with a choice of ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

Available in Australia in the first half of 2023, the new BMW M2 will have a starting price of $199,900 (RRP).

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (November 2022)

9 November 2022