BMW M2 Coupe

BMW M2 Coupé Overview

The BMW M2 Coupé has just gotten even more ‘M’ in the form of the all-new BMW M2 Competition trim, now featuring a proper six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine adopted from its bigger brothers, M3 and the M4. It gives the high-performance coupé a profound advantage over its four-pot rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG CLA45, Porsche 718 or the five-pot Audi RS 3.

Developed by BMW’s motorsport division, the updated powertrain is a detuned version of the M3 and M4’s S55 mill, paired to a 7-speed M double-clutch transmission and driving the rear wheels only. Fellow purists will be thrilled to find that the 6-speed manual variant will be available as an option upon special request.

The BMW M2's chassis has always been very closely related to the M3 and M4's, hence the widened bodyshell and the aggressive athletic stance. Far from being the ‘Baby M’ car, the BMW M2 Competition is hailed by enthusiasts alike as being one of the purest M car money can buy today. Fully imported from Germany, the car is priced from RM 608,866 (without SST) with the recommended 5 year extended warranty and service package. 

BMW M2 Coupé Design

The Competition badge brought along a larger M double rod conjoined kidney grille and redesigned lower bumper with larger air inlets, feeding much needed air to the engine’s cooling system. It shares a similar headlight design as the standard BMW 2 Series Coupé but the overemphasised wheel arches as well as the pronounced shoulder haunches gives the M2 Coupé its signature muscular stance.

Apart from the cosmetic enhancement, also new on the Competition is a carbon-fibre V-brace in the engine bay that can also be found in the M3/M4. It increases the front section rigidity for sharper steering feel and precision. The coupé silhouette is accentuated by strong character lines and taut surfaces that extends from the sculpted bonnet to the muscular rear. 

And not that you need it, you can tell the M2 apart from a regular 2 Series by the M gills with M2 Competition designation, body-coloured M exterior mirrors and the 19-inch double-spoke M light alloy wheels. The M rear spoiler, M diffuser, M2 Competition badge and the angle quad-exhaust tailpipes in Black Chrome conclude the overall sporty design of the smallest M car.

BMW M2 Coupé Dimension

The 2-door performance coupé is 29 mm longer, 80 mm wider, and 8 mm lower than the standard BMW 2 Series Coupé. 

BMW M2 Coupé Interior

Stepping inside and you are greeted by a typical BMW interior layout with a driver-oriented dashboard design. M2 competition door sills welcome you as you open the door. Dakota leather upholstery is standard along with the BMW individual headliner anthracite.

The Competition pack also brought along M signifiers, the iconic purple-blue-red triple stripe that appears on the seatbelts, door sills, as well as the contrast stitching on the M leather-wrapped steering wheel. On top of that, you get carbon fibre interior trim, sport seats for driver and front passenger, and a gearshift lever knob with M badge.

The 2+2 seating layout offers two proper rear seats but with limited headroom and kneeroom. Kids will be absolutely fine, but adults may find themselves struggling to get comfortable. Boot space of 390 litres remain unchanged from the standard BMW 2 Series.

BMW M2 Coupé Features

Standard features include automatic LED headlamps, exterior and interior mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control and powered front seats with driver-side memory function.

Also included are BMW Navigation system Professional with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, BMW ConnectedDrive services including Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Concierge Services and Remote Services, and a 12-speaker 360 W Harman Kardon HiFi audio system.

Driver assistance function includes cruise control with braking function, Park Distance Control (PDC) front/rear, rear view camera, Lane Departure Warning, and front collision warning with brake intervention.

Safety system includes airbags (side, head, front to rear curtain) for driver and front passengers, along with DSC including ABS and M Dynamic mode, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DMC), and Active M Differential linked to Integrated Chassis Management. ISOFIX child seat mounting is also available at the rear.

BMW M2 Coupé Driving Performance

Engine

Under the hood is BMW’s 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight-six engine that serves up 410 PS at 5,250 RPM and 550 Nm of torque from 2,350 RPM, a 40 PS and 85 Nm bump over the outgoing BMW M2 Coupé. Naught to a hundred is dealt with in 4.2 seconds with the DCT (4.4 seconds in the manual), and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Codenamed the S55, the engine has two MonoScroll turbocharges (the old M2 mill was a single turbo), effectively making it a pair of three cylinders operating side by side. Its light and compact construction allows them to spin up quickly, eliminating any discernible turbo lag at low RPM, yet able to push plenty of air at higher revs when so demanded.

The M TwinPower Turbo technology also comes with tech like high precision injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing, and Double VANOS variable camshaft timing. The upgraded cooling system come straight from the BMW M4 Competition Package, along with a motorsport-derived oil supply system and a dedicated exhaust system. The new engine redlines at a screaming 7,600rpm as opposed to 7,000 on the old one.

Transmission

BMW M2 Coupé Ride Comfort

That suspension system has been further recalibrated from the M2 to the M2 Competition. It has slightly looser ESP, and modified software for the electronically controlled locking differential which was adopted from the M4’s Competition package. It now allows for more precise control with improved traction in low grip situation as well as less ESP intervention during drift.

The chassis is well balanced and less snappy at the limit than any of the latest M3 and M4. The front feels eager despite the larger and heavier engine. It is always proportional and offer an adulterated road feel. And despite the performance-oriented setup, the Competition rides pretty well. It is firm by regular saloon standards, but the damping is progressive. It is composed over road imperfections and in normal traffic, it offers a smoother ride than some of the extreme hot hatches. 

BMW M2 Coupé Fuel Consumption

BMW M2 Coupé Conclusion

The BMW M2 Coupé is quite simply one of the best drivers’ car money can buy today. The Competition pack brings along welcoming upgrades, and to the delight of enthusiast alike, it now comes with a proper straight-six engine worthy of the M badge. The accessible performance and approachable handling make it more fun on the road than the more extreme M3/M4. With a fairly practical 2+2 seating layout, the BMW M2 Coupé ticks all the right boxes, and then some.