2nd Gen BMW M2 Review: The Last ‘True’ M Model

If BMW was one car, this would be it. That is a good way to summarise the all-new BMW M2 sports coupé. The M2 is everything a BMW promises to be and should be. It is raw and refined all at once. A true performer, this compact coupé will get your pulse racing. Menacing, magnificent, mind-blowing, marvellous, meteoric—I could go on. It is fast, powerful, exhilarating, sporty, and then some. The M2 gets the same inline-6 engine as its big sister, the M4, though with a lower output. But that is still plenty good. Those figures are pretty crazy themselves. The TwinPower turbo unit makes 451 bhp, and there’s a generous amount of torque at 550 Nm. It kicks in at as low as 2650 rpm. Even in city traffic, the amount of torque this engine puts out is amazing because you don’t need to downshift too often. You may think the gearbox is really forgiving, but it actually has a whole lot of torque with a nice wide band.

BMW M2 Coupé

The 8-Speed M Steptronic is standard. It wasn't that long ago that you'd be paying extra for a dual-clutch automatic transmission. I know this is a niche model. I know it's about performance. I also know there’s a very limited enthusiast market, but I'm very amused by the fact that you actually have to pay more for the six-speed manual over the eight-speed M Steptronic auto transmission. Yes, optional equipment is available even here in India! The manual is likely to account for 10 per cent of all sales globally. The auto may be quicker and more convenient, but thank you, BMW India, for giving me a test car with the manual box!

The previous first-generation M2 sold over 60,000 units worldwide. And it had spawned several versions in its nearly 7 years of existence. We had the M2 Competition and then the M2 CS. The new car has no versions as of yet. But here's the kicker on this regular new M2, the performance and engine output match those of the previous CS! The M2 does not have a 4-door counterpart, and as I said, there are no variants or editions. Yet. It is the least expensive M model, though in our market, with the import duties we have that means little.

There’s also no xDrive or All-wheel-drive version. And I am very happy with that. While the xDrive M3 or M5 drive very well, they feel almost too precise. This one with its rear-wheel drive has a meatier, more mechanical feel. In fact, this pretty much is the last ever pure petrol BMW M car, and possibly the final manual gearbox M car too. Everything from here on will be electrified in some way. And so, this is also likely the last rear-wheel driven M car too! Wow! Acceleration is absolutely mind-blowing, as expected. 0-100 kmph in 4.3 seconds on the manual. It’s quicker on the Steptronic at 4.1 seconds. 0-200 kmph takes 14.3 seconds (13.5 secs on the auto). So yes, it’s fast. But you already expected that. It also handles like a dream. The reason we all loved the previous M2 was its agility, traction, and fantastic handling. So of course, those things are intact in this car.

The reason I was watching out for that, is because this is a bigger car. It's longer, with a longer wheelbase too. M GmbH has done its thing, and given us a nice, taut, precise car that is absolutely fun. And even more fun in many ways than the M4. The new M2 is also wider. Even the track up front and at the rear are wider than before. It gets racier by also dropping its height though.

I have to say the last M2 just was noisier and had a much growlier sound overall. But I'm not complaining too much, because you still get a nice symphony from this inline-6. Throwing it around on the highway you really feel that the car will do exactly what you want. Having the M1/M2 shortcut buttons on the wheel really helps, because you can go from situations where you need more traction, to where you want to take charge really quickly, without having to get into the settings.

The new car also has BMW M’s latest interface and so the graphics on the screens and even on the head-up display are new, clear, and very cool. The M2’s cabin is superbly built. Everything you need and all done in a very obvious sporty way in terms of colours and materials. From the racy seats that get the M Gmbh colours to the carbon fibre on the central console. Plus, BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment and connectivity. The rear seats though less roomy, and strictly meant for children, can be surprisingly okay for adults over short distances.

The car's design is kind of retro-modern. At first glance, you could be fooled into thinking it’s a kit car for drag racing! Unlike most new BMWs with giant grilles, this one is understated and simple. It has also got a power dome on the hood, and an exaggerated bumper. In fact, there is a lot of muscle in the bumpers, wheel arches, and flanks. The headlamp cluster does away with the twin rings and gives the M2 a new DRL signature.

It is also very big on tech in terms and overall, the car gets the most modern lighting systems in BMWs arsenal. 19-inch wheels in front, 20-inch at the rear. You can opt for 20 in the front, 21 at the back.

Speaking of optional equipment, my test car has a carbon fibre roof, and it reduces the weight by 6 kgs. It’s optional of course. The colours on offer are Alpine White (my test car), Brooklyn Grey, Black Sapphire, Zandvoort Blue and Toronto Red – the latter two being signature colours for this car line. The boot lid has a little spoiler that adds to the downforce. Twin exhaust pipes that are exaggeratedly big, a huge diffuser, and a very squarish rear bumper design round things off. Oh, and a taillight motif that complements the lighting upfront too.

So, on the whole, it is sexy, fast, and everything the M2 is meant to be. Prices should be out soon - but then this is a car for the chosen few anyway. No idea what the next M2 – if there is even going to be one in the true sense would be like. So, until then enjoy this. Just as I plan to.

Photography by: Prashant Chaudhary