See all New Car Reviews
Pros: muscular looks, high quality, driving dynamics
Cons: almost too good for the public road
BMW M2 Design
The M2 is based on the BMW 2 Series Coupe, which is already quite a muscular-looking car. However, the BMW M makeover gives it even more presence thanks to bulging wheelarches, a unique nose and front apron, and of course the expected quad exhaust outlet design at the back. As standard, there’s a set of dark alloy wheels fitted, measuring 19 inches across the diameter up front and 20 inches at the back, while there’s also an expensive-looking carbon-fibre roof to tie the design in with BMW’s motorsport efforts. There’s a choice of six paint colours including the Brooklyn Grey metallic hue of the test car shown here.
BMW M2 Interior
Inside, the M2 takes the well-appointed cabin of the 2 Series Coupe and amps up the motorsport vibe with lots of carbon-fibre trim and black-and-red detailing. A wonderfully tactile – and thankfully fully-round – steering wheel sets the tone and behind it you’ll find carbon-fibre gearchange paddles and the usual M1/M2 settings buttons. Their bright red finish is carried over to the prominent engine-start button on the centre console.
Grouped there are various driving setting buttons surrounding the bespoke gear shifter with its integrated toggle switch to alter the characteristics of the transmission. The excellent ‘iDrive’ rotary controller is included despite the fitment of the Curved Display dashboard. This combines digital instrumentation and a big touchscreen within one curved surface and it’s an impressive setup we’ve seen elsewhere in the BMW range. For M cars such as the M2 it features plenty of specific content and graphics.
On the subject of which, you’ll find a stylised version of the BMW M colours in the doors and there are excellent sports seats as standard. Buyers with deeper pockets (and slimmer hips…) can upgrade to the more extreme M carbon bucket seats. Either way, the M2 retains all the four-seat practicality of the regular 2 Series Coupe, and it even has a usable 390-litre boot under that pert tail spoiler.
BMW M2 Performance & Drive
The M2 delivers on the promise of its suggestive appearance and a mouth-watering technical specification. It is in effect a junior BMW M4, though a lot less junior than the first generation was. Under the bonnet is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. Peak outputs are 460hp and 550Nm of torque and that’s all sent to the rear wheels via BMW M’s famed electronically controlled differential.
Buyers can choose from manual or automatic gearboxes and, while the former particularly suits the character of the M2, it is a little more expensive to buy and won’t appeal to all. Thankfully the eight-speed automatic transmission is excellent thanks to its myriad settings. It can be smooth and subtle one minute or downright aggressive the next depending on your preferences. And it allows full manual control using the lever or the paddles behind the steering wheel. The 0-100km/h time takes 4.1 seconds for cars fitted with the auto, or 4.3 seconds using the manual gearbox.
Customisation of the driving experience has become a hallmark of BMW’s M cars and there’s more variability than ever built into the M2. Press the SETUP button on the centre console and you can alter the engine response and sound, the damping force, power steering assistance and even the brake pedal feel. Additionally, for use on track, it’s possible to set the stability control to a mid-setting or turn it off completely and then tweak the level of traction control preferred. There’s even a Drift Analyser in the system to score your drifting skills.
Back on the road, the M2 is simply astounding to drive. It’s arguably too fast and capable to be exploited to the full in such conditions, but that doesn’t detract from how much fun it is to drive with great communication through the chassis, a fabulous six-cylinder engine sound and incredible body control. Admittedly, it’s always on the firm side, which isn’t ideal on Irish roads, but this is an M car, so buyers know what they’re getting. Those that love driving will adore getting behind the wheel and it's an occasion to just pootle to the shops in.
BMW M2 Pricing
The automatic version of the BMW M2 costs €115,055, which represents a sizeable €35,000 premium over and above the also-great M240i Coupe. For those that can afford it, the upgrade is more than worth it as the M2 feels more special and is considerably more talented. The manual version of the M2 costs €116,037.
Carzone Verdict
Fans of BMW M cars will be salivating at the thought of the M2, and it justifies the hype. While less of its newfound capability can be fully used on the public road than before, it is undeniably a more accomplished car than the first generation, and it compares favourably with larger models in the BMW M line-up. Indeed, thanks to its proportions, it’s debatably the M car most suited to Irish roads, regardless of your budget.