2023 BMW M2 Arrives With 453bhp - Manual Gearbox On Offer

2023 BMW M2 Specs

The BMW M2 is powered by a tuned version of the S58 twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine that is also found under the bonnet of the M3 & M4.

In the new 2023 BMW M2, the S58 engine produces 453bhp at 6,250rpm and 550Nm of peak torque between 2,650 and 5,870rpm. The S58 engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic transmission, both of which send power to the rear wheels only.

When fitted with the automatic box, the M2 will sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds with 200km/h coming up in 13.5 seconds.

Those that opt for the manual will do the sprint to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds while hitting 200km/h will take 14.3 seconds. Both versions of the new M2 will hit an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h though this can be raised to 285km/h by opting for the M Driver's Package.

The all-new BMW M2 is 4,580mm long, 1,887mm wide and 1,403mm tall. The wheelbase of the new BMW M2 is 2,747mm long while the front and rear tracks are 1,617mm and 1,605mm wide respectively. The new BMW weighs in at 1,775 kilogrammes (unladen EU) and offers 123mm of ground clearance.

The all-new BMW M2 features adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers all around with a double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear axle.

The M2 features a brake-by-wire setup with 380mm discs clamped down by six-piston callipers at the front while the rears sport 370mm discs with single-piston callipers.

The new BMW M2 rides on lightweight alloy wheels - 19-inches at the front and 20-inches at the rear. The wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres - 275/35 ZR19 (front) and 285/30 ZR20 (rear).

The 2023 BMW M2 also sports an M active differential, adaptive suspension and traction control with 10 levels of adjustability along with multiple driving modes including a track mode that disables all driver aids.

2023 BMW M2 Design & Features

The all-new BMW M2's design is sure set to make tongues wag especially due to its rather odd front end. At the front, the slightly high-set wraparound lights flank the square-ish kidney grilles on either side. Sitting below the frameless grille on the bumper is a large central air intake flanked on either side by smaller side intakes that help keep the S58 engine fed with cool air.

The sides of the M2 are dominated by the flared wheelarches and the carbon fibre roof while the rear section is quite busy with an integrated boot-lid spoiler, quad tailpipes, a deep diffuser and the taillights that also include a vertical set of lights on each side of the rear bumper.

Step inside the new BMW M2 and you'll be greeted by a large panel of curved glass on the dash that features a 12.9-inch driver's display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Also seen are M front seats with electronic adjustment and heating that can be swapped over for a pair of carbon-fibre units if the M Driver's package is optioned in. Other items of note inside the new M2 include a Harmon Kardon audio system and various aluminium and carbon fibre trim bits.

Thoughts On The New BMW M2

The 2023 BMW M2 may look a bit odd with its squared-off kidney grilles, which are thankfully not as bad as the beaver teeth units on the M3 and M4. However, the presence of the S58 engine and the 6-speed manual gearbox should hopefully ensure that die-hard BMW fans flock to the smallest car to bear the actual 'M' badge.