The upcoming 2023 BMW M2 brings the short-wheelbase do-it-all BMW back with a vengeance. However, the new M2 also hits the track with a controversial new look that some fans might not love as much as the previous iteration. Still, the new M2 promises to be an absolute rocket if it’s anything like its predecessor or the top-of-the-line 2 Series, the BMW M240i. 

What’s new about the 2023 BMW M2?

In addition to updated styling, the new 2023 BMW M2 is more powerful, lower, wider, and heavier than the previous M2. First, the baby Bimmer’s new S58-variant twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six bumps the power up 48 horsepower from the 2021 M2’s 405 ponies and 406 lb-ft of torque. Also, the new M2 packs a 10-setting traction-control system. Moreover, the return of the standard six-speed manual transmission is undoubtedly one of the best bits of news for M car enthusiasts.

However, BMW ditched the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission in favor of an 8-speed unit. Beyond the new mill, driving modes, and transmission options, the M2 gets a complete redesign akin to the current 2 Series with some caveats. Most notably, the new M2 packs wider hips and a longer wheelbase. The result is a more muscle car-esque track attacker than ever before, much more so than the comparably subtle previous generation and its more conventional aesthetics.  

How powerful is the new M2?

Despite having the same displacement and number of turbochargers, the new 2023 BMW M2 produces 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite a bit more power than the S55 engine in the previous M2, if also the same torque figure. That’s enough to move the new coupe to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to BMW. 

Surprisingly, that’s similar to the previous generation M2 Competition that Car and Driver tested. Either BMW’s metric is a bit conservative, or we’ll have to wait for the possibility of a new CS or Competition. 

Will the 2023 M2 have AWD?

Some fans will rejoice, and some will scratch their heads; the new M2 goes without all-wheel drive (AWD). Instead, the 2023 BMW M2 packs traditional rear-wheel drive (RWD) with power arriving via a torque-vectoring rear differential. That’s good news for enthusiasts who wanted another iteration of the slide-happy, manual transmission-equipped driver’s car. The M car formula lives on. 

How much is the 2023 BMW M2?

The upcoming 2023 BMW M2 starts at $63,195. According to TrueCar, the new coupe starts at around $3,300 more than the previous generation. Furthermore, BMW says potential owners can submit their orders as soon as April 2023.  

What’s wrong with the new M2?

The 2023 BMW M2 does a lot right at a glance, but it drops the ball in a few minor ways. First, the new Bavarian brawler is heavy; it weighs around 3,850 lbs, depending on the transmission option. That’s close to Ford Mustang weight in a scalpel-sharp track day coupe. 

Next, the new car’s styling is arguably an acquired taste. A boxier fascia, pronounced hips, and new 2 Series cues might put off fans of the simplified style of the previous car. Still, the new M2 promises to be a beastly sibling for the M3 and M4. Scroll down to the following article to read more about the M2 and other M cars!