The G87 BMW M2 was certainly one of our favorite sports activities automobiles of 2023. We swooned over its peachy turbocharged engine, craved the playfulness of its chassis, and appreciated how straightforward it was to discover its efficiency envelope. And fortuitously for the Bavarians, the M2 continues to swim in an empty lake devoid of true rivals. Whereas the Audi RS3 is again with its raunchy 394-hp inline-five engine and quattro all-wheel drive (we haven’t pushed it but), it’s virtually $2,000 dearer than the M2 and lacks a handbook gearbox. The 416-hp Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is cheaper by $3,000 however is slower than the M2 and in addition lacks a handbook gearbox. See the place we’re heading with this?
We’re within the age of low-cost high-achieving automobiles. Thoughts-warping acceleration is available to shoppers at any value level however the deal with the driving force is sorely missing. The dexterity required by three pedals and a shifter, the reward from perfecting the rev-match downshift, and the connection by interacting with the M2 and extracting its potential make this an entire sensory expertise. It’s important to work in your meal however the result’s satisfying. On this lake, all of them tread water successfully however solely the M2 enjoys leaping in.
We additionally see the Honda Civic Sort R and Acura Integra Sort S swimming within the distance however the value delta is sufficient to put them in one other class. And realistically talking, if in case you have your crosshairs on an M2, you’re seemingly holding your distance from heavy, all-wheel drive, all-weather, cramped four-door coupes. Rear-wheel drive, H-pattern, and an inline-six are ambrosia for the gods, a formulation as easy and as efficient as E=mc².
The dearth of significant rivalry means BMW can afford to relaxation on their laurels, therefore the minor however nonetheless significant adjustments for 2025. The M2 receives a brand new engine tune courtesy of the M3, including 20 further horsepower and for the 8-speed auto variants, an additional 37 lb-ft of torque, making for a grand output of 473 hp and 443 lb-ft (406 lb-ft for the manuals). That makes the handbook M2 one-tenth of a second faster from 0-100 km/h, finished in 4.2 seconds, whereas the auto does it in 4 seconds flat. Inside, the M2 receives a brand new flat-bottomed steering wheel, an up to date iDrive system (model 8.5), and carbon bucket seats are actually a standalone possibility.
Is the added energy noticeable? Throughout the confines and limits of metropolis streets, no, however our reply may change with entry to an unrestricted freeway or high-speed monitor to unravel the additional horses within the secure. What’s extra obvious after a latest stint in a handbook M3, is that the M2 doesn’t really feel that a lot faster or keen off the road. It’s extra balanced mid-corner and barely extra alert in its reactions, nevertheless it’s solely 14 kg lighter than the G80 M3 and is about the identical dimension because the F80 M3. Equally, the numb and enigmatic steering leaves a lot to interpretation, and the larger brother does really feel heavier within the rear, although each slip so simply and progressively right into a tail-led balancing act that for those who blindfolded us (perhaps not the suitable analogy), it wouldn’t be a straightforward guess. So for those who want an additional pair of doorways and usable rear seats, the premium of an M3 could be an interesting different, and those who don’t require the bigger footprint received’t really feel like they’re lacking out. Of observe, the M2 is manufactured in Mexico whereas the M3 is made in Germany. Sources additionally inform us an xDrive auto-only M2 is on its method subsequent yr.
The S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six is among the all-time greats, a lionheart of an engine delivering tidal waves of torque and emitting a silky tune that lives in our heads rent-free. Full throttle in third gear at 4,000 rpm is inline-six nirvana, a match made in heaven with the no-cost BMW six-speed handbook. In fact, there are two faculties of thought. For those who worth lap occasions and sheer pace above all else, the handbook is just not the perfect selection, however belief us after we say you’ll be able to’t make a flawed determination right here.
Those that have piloted a handbook M automobile earlier than received’t must reprogram any muscle reminiscence. From the rubbery really feel of the shifter and average journey to the necessity for a deliberate shove into gear is a nostalgic throwback to working an M automobile way back to the E30 M3. Pushed in isolation, the shifter is an absolute peach to function however after experiencing the Honda’s exact short-throw shifter and Porsche’s pin-point and wonderful lever, this BMW feels notchy and lengthy in its throw. Distinguishing between second and fourth gear is hard to nail down appropriately however it is going to routinely rev-match and we discovered this operate genuinely useful in gradual visitors to cut back leg lethargy.
The shifter is located near the driving force for fast motion and the footwell is spacious for wide-leg choreography however we discovered the middle armrest positioned too excessive for snug shifting, and an occupied cupholder can conflict together with your knuckles when shifting to the higher gates. The clutch pedal is acquainted with a good bit of journey and requires a robust leg to actuate. The deepest 20% of the pedal wants extra power than the latter 80% however the chew level isn’t tough to search out, and broad sufficient to keep away from stalling. Like different M automobiles, you don’t must depress all of it the way in which to have interaction or disengage a gear both. It’s useful that the wheel telescopes a big distance in order that drivers of any dimension or form can discover a comfortable driving place. Our solely gripe is the shortage of a round tachometer. As a substitute, the M2 shows a slanted sliding scale that rises at an angle with the revs, so it’s important to purposefully stare at it and decipher the that means. By then, the revs have already dropped. The pinnacle-up show makes up for it however not one of the selectable graphics are straightforward to learn or what we need.
Twilight Purple is a vibrant shade of Barney that’s bolder and extra saturated than Thundernight which you’ll have mistaken it for. The latter made its debut within the M240i. Twilight Purple is brighter and extra vivid than Daytona Violet however prefer it and different metallic colors, lighting circumstances tremendously differ its perceived lustre. Right here it wants daylight to really carry out its distinctive shimmer and sparkle. In any other case, in dimly lit parking garages or overcast skies, it seems very similar to the opposite purples within the palette. However irrespective of the shade, we nonetheless assume the M2 is an odd mixture of polygons and pixels that don’t gel nicely collectively, however we will’t deny its visible aptitude and geometric muscle.
The smallest M automobile may additionally be one of the best M automobile however the M2’s substantial dimension and weight muddy the waters with its similar-performing brethren. The inevitable Competitors or CS mannequin may blur the borders much more. However, we will’t fault such an effervescent and vastly charismatic sports activities automobile that delivers such a excessive degree of engagement, particularly in a subject of anodyne rivals that worth efficiency over involvement. Lengthy reside the six-speed.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 BMW M2 Coupe (G87)
Paint Sort: Twilight Purple Pearl Metallic
Base Value: $78,300
Value as Examined: $91,750
Curb weight (kg): 1,730
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six
Horsepower: 473 hp @ 6,250 rpm
Torque: 406 @ 2,650 – 6,130 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed handbook
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, RWD
Noticed Gasoline Consumption (L/100km): 15.2
Tires: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5; 275/35R19
