The 2023 BMW M2 is the latest BMW M car to hit the market and is the smallest high performance sports coupe, but shares the same engine as the M3 and M4, though power has been tuned down to 453 bhp and 550Nm of torque driven to the rear wheels only, allowing to achieve a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds. Available in an optional Purist Pack that includes a manual transmission. As standard, the car comes with a carbon fibre roof, a drift analyser, and a M-Sport steering wheel.
The M2 has Grown
Of all the M cars offered by BMW, the F87 M2 is perhaps the purest of the lot. Loved for its purity in driving dynamics and lively nature, it is the M car that perhaps best fits the S55 power plant in the sense that the engine does not feel like a compromise. It was quick on the track, eas(ier) on the wallet, and ultimately proved to be one of the most tuneable and modifiable M cars in range.
The new G87 M2 has grown quite a bit from the F87. It is longer, wider, and quite a little bit heavier - in fact, at about 1,750kg, its difference in weight to an F10 M5 is as large as its difference to the F87. For a car that's supposed to be quite the track weapon, you can understand if a few eyebrows were raised on account of the M2's weight gain.
The Last Purist - Oriented M Car
Despite its change in weight, the M2's secret sauce for success has thankfully been retained. It's only available in rear wheel drive, making it the last M car to be rear wheel drive only. Interestingly though, it loses the brilliant 7-speed DCT for an 8-Speed ZF, which is unnecessary considering that it has not made the all but eventual shift toward being all wheel drive. That said, if ever you needed to utilise a slush box, the 8-Speed ZF would surely be the first choice, and it is still a quick shifting, tested and proven transmission.
However, if you're not feeling the automatic transmission on the M2, you'll be glad to know that the M2 is still available with a manual transmission, which is an optional extra as part of BMW's Purist Pack - which also includes other bits and bobs which are irrelevant in comparison to the appeal of the manual transmission. Mind you though, the Purist Pack option doesn't come cheap, and will set you back a significant sum (more than the price of a brand new automatic transmission). Oh how we miss the 90s where the manual option was the cheapest variant of a car that you could buy that often came with fabric seats. Back then, a manual option was viewed as rudimentary - basic. Today, you're considered a purist, or an afficionado of sorts.
A Departure from Current Styling
When the styling of the BMW M2 was unveilled, I think most people got abit of a shock. For some years now BMW have been engorging the grilles of their cars, making them stand out like nostrils rather than the kidneys there were initially meant to represent. However, after the grille sizes hit a pinnacle with the 7 series and i7, the M2 has now been fitted with moderately sized kidney grilles once again - just when we were getting used to those big flared nostrils on other BMWs. I'm not saying they don't look good, but it does feel like fans will have to get used to something new all over again.
Aside from moderately sized grilles, the BMW M2 is also quite individualistic in design, and does not seem to inherit many styling traits from its preceeding stablemates. We're not sure why this is the case, but I guess it makes the M2 feel a little bit more special in a sense. On the M2, panels seem to be flatter with less crimps and folds, creating a more subtle transition within each panel, but a more dramatic difference between panels. Overall, the design feels very squarish, and reminds me of an unfinished DTM kit car that still has some styling bits to be done. If I'm being totally honest I kinda like it - it feels cartoon-ish and fresh, which incidentally is a look that goes will with the Zandvoort Blue that BMW has chosen as the M2's hero colour.
Who Will it Appeal to?
Blessed with excellent driving dynamics, sharp handling, and high levels of performance, the BMW M2 will no doubt appeal to those who are seeking a track capable car that they can still use on a daily basis. Alternatively, the M2 is also a superb choice for someone who is seeking as pure a driving experience as possible with rear wheel drive and manual transmission.
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