Yahoo Autos 2023 BMW M2 Promises to Be a Hoot with Wider Hips and 453 HP
The 2023 BMW M2 coupe marks the model's second generation, and it boasts a boatload of improvements versus its predecessor.
The M2 remains rear-drive only, but its new twin-turbo straight-six makes 453 horses and pairs with a standard manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic.
When it goes on sale in the U.S. in April 2023, the new M2 will start at $63,195—$3300 more than the last M2 Competition sold in 2021.
The first thing you'll notice about the 2023 BMW M2 is that it doesn't have a big pig snout for a grille like the larger M3 sedan and M4 coupe. BMW's decision to give the new second-generation M2 a more traditional version of its signature kidney grille might be its way of telling everyone the redesigned coupe remains the purist's choice. Or we might've just made that up. Either way, the new M2 is mightier than its predecessor and shares more parts and traits with the M3/M4, meaning it promises to be a hoot.
M2's Hips Don't Lie
The M2 is once again based on the two-door BMW 2-series, which was recently redesigned with bigger dimensions than before. Per the transitive property, the 2023 M2 also undergoes a growth spurt, with its wheelbase stretching from 106.0 to 108.1 inches and its overall length stretching from 176.2 to 180.3 inches. Compared with its predecessor, those represent increases of 2.1 and 4.1 inches, respectively. The new M2 also sits 0.3 inch lower and measures 1.3 inches wider. Plus, its track width grows by 1.5 inches up front and 0.2 inch in back, which matches the M4. BMW claims the second-gen car's curb weight is between 3814 and 3867 pounds, depending on the transmission which is roughly 240–250 pounds heavier than the last M2 Competitions we tested.
With wider hips and grander proportions, the redesigned M2 looks more muscular than before. Its appearance is also highlighted by boxy lower air intakes, quirky headlights with a single LED unit that's supposedly inspired by the iconic BMW 2002 sedan, and the brand's trademark Hofmeister kink on the rear window. The back end really makes a statement with funky taillights like those on the regular 2-series as well as square and sharply creased elements on the bumper that flank a set of quad exhaust tips.
Other exterior elements include an optional carbon-fiber roof that saves weight and lowers the car's center of gravity. The standard sunroof also has a larger opening than before. All models ride on staggered wheels and tires, with 19-inch rollers on 275-section-width tires up front and 20-inchers on 285-section-width tires out back. During a prototype drive back in June, we were told the new M2 will wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer rubber. Its available paint colors include Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic, Brooklyn Grey metallic, Toronto Red metallic (seen here), and a new shade exclusively for the M2 called Zandvoort Blue.
M3/M4 Hand-Me-Downs
At the heart of the 2023 M2 is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. It's a version of the S58 engine powering the M3 and M4 that has been detuned to make 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Still, that's 48 horses more than the S55 mill in the outgoing M2 Competition; its torque rating is unchanged. Of course, that power continues to be routed solely to the rear wheels through a torque-vectoring rear differential—there's no xDrive all-wheel-drive option like on the M3/M4. There's also currently no word on an inevitable M2 Competition or CS variant.
