BMW M2 gets more power and a higher top speed
BMW has dusted its analogue sports car – the rear-wheel drive, manual M2 – with an extra sprinkling of M division magic. Power has increased by 20PS (15kW) to 480PS (353kW) and torque by 50Nm (37lb ft) to 600Nm (443lb ft), bringing parity with the manual M3 and M4 not sold in the UK.
The increases drop the M2’s 0-62mph by a tenth to 4 seconds dead in the automatic cars, or 4.2 seconds in cars fitted with the optional six-speed manual. But the biggest difference will be felt at higher speeds; having 0.6 seconds in the 0-124mph run, the automatic car now completes that benchmark in 12.9 seconds while the manual car – inhibited by the fleshy component changing gears – does it in 13.7 seconds.
Meanwhile, if the car’s limited 155mph top speed isn’t enough, the company can loosen the limiter (at a cost) to 177mph if you specify the optional M Driver’s package.
Styling remains essentially the same and is best sampled in darker colours which better hide the M2’s bruised-faced and angular radiator vents and air ducts. Or, you can show them off with the price, skipping the Skyscraper Grey for one of the other newly available colours, including São Paulo Yellow, Fire Red, or Portimao Blue.
A set of gorgeous new split-spoke alloys – 19-inch at the front, 20 at the back, almost make up for the rest of the car’s appearance, and you can have them finished in either silver or black.
The interior also gets a light fluffing with a new flat-bottom steering wheel finished in leather or optional Alcantara. At the same time, you can swap standard Graphite matte trims for Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M Carbon Fibre, or Fine Brushed Aluminium. M Carbon bucket seats are another option as part of the M Race Track Package, which also includes track tyres. The standard electrically adjustable M Sport seats are wrapped in Vernasca leather and available in a red/black bi-colour.
The M2’s updates come as part of a wider package of revisions to the 2 Series coupé, meaning the company’s pocket rocket now comes with BMW Operating System 8.5 that – sigh – means you find the controls for the car’s ventilation system, seat, and (if you option it) steering wheel heating on the centre touchscreen rather than on a more easily pressed physical button. Mercifully, you can still control the adaptive M suspension, M Servotronic steering, and M Traction Control functions via buttons on the centre console.
As far as we can tell, the standard equipment list remains as was, meaning you get two-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a Harman/Kardon loudspeaker system, and a wireless charging tray. Infotainment comes via BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a head-up display.
The new M2 is expected to sell for a shade under £65,000 when it goes on sale in August.
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