2023 BMW M2 sports manual gearbox, more power, drift mode

MANILA: With new intensity and cutting-edge technology, the second version of the renowned BMW M2 thrills and exhilarates with all the characteristics of a traditional high-performance sports car.

The 2023 BMW M2 epitomizes the pure thrill of driving; its attractiveness is largely attributed to its small size, inline six-cylinder engine, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and cutting-edge technology.

The new BMW M2 must possess quick-footed agility and handling that is nevertheless simple to operate even when the driver pushes the vehicle's boundaries. Its expressive personality is reflected in a striking design that, even before the wheels are turned, makes no secrets about the car's potential.

Outside, the 2023 BMW M2's broad, frameless BMW double kidney grille, which has noticeable horizontal elements, commands attention on the front of the vehicle. The practically rectangular shapes of the M-typical three-section lower air intakes maximize cooling of the brakes and powertrain parts.

Strongly sculpted headlamp units are placed on the front fascia's outer margins. They each sport a single circular headlight that uses full-LED technology for both low beam and high beam, drawing inspiration from the storied BMW 02 vehicles.

Prominently flared side skirts flow into broad, muscular wheel arches to create an appearance characteristic of BMW M and inspired by motorsport.

Giving the car a distinctive profile are the M2's tall hood, small overhangs, and far-rear passenger compartment. A small BMW coupe with obvious high performance capabilities has a roofline that slopes down from the B-pillar and a short deck lid that ends in a prominent lip spoiler.

Customers have the option to order the new BMW M2 with a M Carbon roof. By using this thin material for the roof, you can lighten the car and lower the center of gravity, which improves handling.

The prominent diffuser insert is the component of the rear end that stands out the most. This air-directing component follows a clean, racing aesthetic and features distinctive M quad tailpipes. The rear perspective is made more forcefully compressed by the tailpipes, which are situated slightly inward from the borders of the back bumper.

At introduction, the new BMW M2 will be available in two solid and three metallic exterior paint shades: Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic, Brooklyn Grey metallic, Toronto Red metallic, and the new Zandvoort Blue available exclusively on the new M2.

Standard on the new BMW M2 are exclusively-designed M double-spoke light-alloy wheels in a Jet Black finish; 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear. The same design in a bi-color finish is a no-cost option.

The prominent diffuser insert is the component of the rear end that stands out the most. This air-directing component follows a clean, racing aesthetic and features distinctive M quad tailpipes. The rear perspective is made more forcefully compressed by the tailpipes, which are situated slightly inward from the borders of the back bumper.

The 2023 BMW M2's powertrain technology offers the premium small category elite performance and an exhilarating driving experience in the vein of a vintage high-performance sports vehicle.

The M2 is the only vehicle in its class with an inline six-cylinder engine, which impresses with both its exceptional power and well-balanced performance characteristics.

Either a responsive eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic or a six-speed manual transmission can be used with the engine. In either scenario, the engine's power is conventionally transferred to the road by the rear wheels.

Outperforming the unit in the model it replaces by 48hp at 6,250rpm, the S58 engine with 453hp is fitted in the new M2. The newest M TwinPower Turbo technology is combined with the high-revving character that motorists have come to expect from a M vehicle. Between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm, the engine produces its maximum torque of 550Nm.

The performance experience in the new BMW M2 is characterized by immediate responsiveness, a voracious appetite for rpm, and linear power delivery into the highest regions of the engine speed range. Maximum engine revs are 7,200 rpm.

The six-speed manual transmission that comes standard with the 2023 BMW M2 creates a performance experience in the traditional sense, centered in the enhanced engagement between the car and the driver. In order to prevent slippage when downshifting, the Gear Shift Assistant applies rev matching. The M Setup menu has a deactivation option for Gear Shift Assistant.

An optional eight-speed M Steptronic transmission stands out for having ratio spacing that is ideally matched to the characteristics of the engine and provides appropriately lively gear changes.

Choosing between an automatic and manual gearbox will barely affect performance. The new M2 accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in under 4.1 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, and in 3.9 seconds with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

The standard Active M Differential is another factor in the BMW M2's exceptional performance. When necessary, it can halt the rotational speed correction between the rear wheels and produce a smooth, variable locking effect of up to 100%. As a result, traction is improved on terrain with varying degrees of adhesion at the left and right rear wheels.

The M Compound brakes on the new BMW M2 have remarkable stopping power. The front brakes have six piston fixed calipers with 15-inch discs, and the rear brakes have a single piston floating caliper with 14.6-inch discs. The calipers are typically coated Blue metallic, however a Red finish is an option.

The 2023 BMW M2 features newly designed M Sport seats with more pronounced side bolsters. They are upholstered in Vernasca leather with perforated surfaces and can be ordered in either Black or Cognac. Their integral head restraints feature an illuminated M logo. The M Sport seats likewise come with electrical adjustment, including for the height of the head restraints.

Optional for the first time on the M2 are the track-ready M Carbon bucket seat – part of the optional Carbon Package. Fully electric and heated, they feature integral head restraints and illuminated M2 badges just above the backrest. The use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structural elements of the seat bottom and backrest together with the cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints saves about 24 pounds over the standard M Sport seats.

The M Mode button, which unlocks a performance experience ideally catered to each driver's preferences, is also found in the center console's control panel. The variety of driver assistance system features is drastically reduced in sport mode. Drivers can also choose Track mode because M Drive Professional is standard equipment on the new BMW M2. Track mode completely disables the assistance systems, making it only suitable for use on racetracks.

Track and M Traction Control are also included. M Laptimer and M Drift Analyzer features are also included in M Drive Professional's mode.

The M Laptimer keeps track of both the current lap time and the time difference from the session's fastest lap around the circuit.

The M Drift Analyzer records the time, distance, and angle of the driver's most recent drift and assists the driver in honing their high-speed cornering skills through deliberate oversteer and accurate counter-steering.

Photos from BMW

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