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2023 BMW M2 Unveiled, Priced for Australia
The shorter, lighter, and arguably more driver-focused brother to the BMW M4 Competition, the 2023 BMW M2 is already one of the most exciting performance car launches this year. And while it feels as though we’ve already seen everything ‘new M2’ – with a myriad of teasers and leaks over the last 6 months – we’re just as excited to read through the stats and figures as you are, so let’s get right into everything you need to know about the new BMW M2.
First, some housekeeping on size versus its bigger-bodied brother the M4. The BMW M2 is 214 millimetres shorter in exterior length than the BMW M4 Coupé model and has a 110-millimetre shorter wheelbase. We’re also comparing the power outputs below between M2 CS, M4, and M4 Competition, check them out.
The 2023 BMW M2 will be priced from $119,900 AUD before on-road costs in Australia.
Related: We recently drove a very similar colour BMW M4 Competition, check out our thoughts.
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
What Powers the New BMW M2?
The 2023 BMW M2 is powered by the familiar 3.0-litre straight-six engine developed with M TwinPower Turbo technology. It’s a derivation of the engine found in the current generation BMW M3/M4 cars with only a few “small number” of detailed differences according to the brand.
Does it Come With a Manual?
Power makes its way to the rear wheels via the torque-converter automatic eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard (three shift settings). There’s an Active M Differential at the rear axle included as standard that can generate a locking effect of up to 100 per cent whenever required. Essentially, skids at will.
The good news for enthusiasts (and collectors) is that the M2 will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission as an option. This gearbox includes the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking into corners.
How Much Power Does it Make?
Here are the power and torque numbers of the 2023 BMW M2 in comparison with its stable mates.
| 2023 BMW M2 Power Comparison | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 BMW M2 | 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder | 338 kW @ 6250 rpm | 550 Nm @ 2,650 rpm |
| 2021 BMW M2 CS | 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder | 331 kW @ 6250 rpm | 550 Nm @ 2350 rpm |
| 2022 BMW M4 | 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder | 353kW @ 6250 rpm | 550Nm @ 2650 rpm |
| 2022 BMW M4 Competition | 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder | 375kW @ 5510 rpm | 650Nm @ 2700 rpm |
How Fast is It?
The 2023 BMW M2 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and in 4.3 seconds when fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox. Our friends at Performance Drive tested the 2021 BMW M2 CS from 0-100km/h in 4.09 seconds. The 0-200km/h sprint will take just 13.5 seconds (automatic) or 14.3 seconds (manual). The top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph) or 285 km/h (177 mph) by specifying the optional M Driver’s Package.
Related: 2022 BMW M240i Review: The Best Sportscar in the Lineup?
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
What Underpins the 2023 BMW M2?
The chassis in the new BMW M2 is its main advantage over the bigger siblings. A compact, shorter wheelbase results in a perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution. Bespoke bracing makes its way to the chassis for added stiffness. Speaking of suspension, there’s a double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear axle alongside the following standard features.
- Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
- M Servotronic steering with variable ratio.
- DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including M Dynamic Mode.
- M Compound brakes with six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper brakes at the rear.
Just like the BMW M3 and M4, there’s a staggered wheel setup of 19-inch front and 20-inch wheels at the rear.
Related: 2023 BMW M3 Touring Revealed, Priced for Australia
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
Is the Interior Nice on the New BMW M2?
The interior of the 2023 BMW M2 looks exactly as we’d expect from a BMW product coming into the new year. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the giant BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive and sit pride of place on top of the dashboard.
While we’re not the biggest fans of tablet displays in sportscars, we did like the display in our time with the 2022 BMW IX electric SUV. In the case of the BMW M2, all your driving-related information including Shift Lights appears in a new graphical layout on the 12.3-inch information display. M-specific widgets for vehicle setup and tyre condition are just two of the items that can be called up in the 14.9-inch control display. The optional BMW Head-Up Display also features M-specific readouts as you would expect.
Sports seats in a model-specific design with Sensatec/Alcantara surfaces. And before you even ask, yes, you can option the spine-tingling M Carbon bucket seats that we had in our BMW M4 Competition loaner. Would we option them? Yes, if we’re not planning to commute in the M2. The seats add some much-needed occasion to the ‘M car’. The seats use carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest and also feature cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints, thereby shaving around 10.8 kilograms off the vehicle’s weight.
Related: 2023 BMW XM Revealed, Priced for Australia
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
How Much Does the 2023 BMW M2 Cost?
The 2023 BMW M2 will be priced from $119,900 AUD before on-road costs in Australia and is expected to launch in the first half of next year. As such, exact timings for the Australian launch of the 2023 BMW M2 are yet to be revealed, however, the car will arrive globally in April 2023 and we’d expect Australia to receive the car in line with the European launch. This was the case when we drove the BMW M3 back in 2021, and we’d expect to do the same with the M2.
2023 BMW M2 Options in Australia
Option packages have now been confirmed for Australia and we’ve outlined them below.
Paint options for the new BMW M2 include;
- Alpine White (non-metallic).
- M Zandvoort Blue (non-metallic).
- Black Sapphire (metallic).
- M Toronto Red (metallic).
- M Brooklyn Grey (metallic).
M Carbon Experience ($14,500 AUD).
This is a no-brainer option to tick in our eyes and includes;
- M Carbon bucket seats
- BMW M Driving Experience Advance 1
- M Driver’s package
*M Carbon roof available for the first time on M2 and fitted as standard on Australian models
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
Image: BMW M2 | BMW
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Ben McKimm
Ben lives in Sydney, Australia. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Media, Technology and the Law) from Macquarie University (2020). Outside of his studies, he has spent the last decade heavily involved in the automotive, technology and fashion world. Turning his passion and expertise into a Journalist position at Man of Many where he continues to write about everything that interests the modern man. Conducting car reviews on both the road and track, hands-on reviews of cutting-edge technology and employing a vast knowledge in the space of fashion and sneakers to his work. One day he hopes to own his own brand.
