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Aug 17, 2023

2023 BMW M2 Review: The Best Sports Car I've Driven This Year

By Justin Jackie - ReviewPublished: 8 Aug 2023 Share this on Send this by It’s difficult to quantify, but there seems to be subtle nervousness creeping into sports car aficionados across the globe.

By Justin Jackie - ReviewPublished: 8 Aug 2023

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It’s difficult to quantify, but there seems to be subtle nervousness creeping into sports car aficionados across the globe. What was once a smorgasbord of possibility, the sports car segment has slowly been eroding in plain sight. Whether it be companies prioritising sales and profitability, tighter emissions restrictions, or simply a diversion in automotive values, like boiled frogs, in less than a decade, the sub $150,000 sports car market has almost died without us realising.

But not all is lost. BMW’s M division is still keeping the sports car torch alight, albeit with some technological gusts trying to extinguish the purist flame. You see, even BMW itself has admitted that they are transitioning to a more electrified future, with the majority of the M lineup featuring either a fully electric or hybrid powertrain before the end of the decade. While this transition won’t concern the majority, there is a large cult of M followers that will cling to the more analogue cars with dear life. Cars that communicate via their chassis, encourage involvement and prioritise human engagement—cars like the new BMW M2.

A lot rides on the shoulders of the new BMW M2. Not only is it carrying the weight of BMW’s weighty ‘M’ badge expectations, but it’s also lugging the viability of a once cherished format; front engine, rear-wheel drive, manual gearbox sports cars.

On paper, the new BMW M2 looks salacious. It shares most of the good bits from the M3 and M4, has a bunch more kit than the previous model, and pricing starts at only $121,700 (plus on-road costs).

But is it a parts bin Frankenstein or the performance paladin that drivers have been craving? I drove the new BMW M2 on South Australia’s best-driving roads to find out.

The instant you set your gaze upon the new BMW M2, you’re treated to a feast of aggressive styling. While the initial press photos were the target of keyboard warriors, with its broad-shouldered muscularity and low, sweeping lines, the M2 looks every bit the performance machine it claims to be. It wears its flared wheel arches like a badge of honour, murmuring at the beast that lies beneath, even when stationary.

The side profile illustrates a blend of meticulously crafted surfaces, prominently flared side skirts, and those mighty wheel arches. BMW has gone with a staggered M light alloy wheel combination with 19″ up front and 20″ at the rear, wrapped in 275 and 285 section rubber, respectively.

Simultaneously, the rear end brings complimentary touches to the table, including a subtle boot lid spoiler, a less subtle rear diffuser insert, and two pairs of imposing 100mm diameter exhaust pipes. Everything about the muscular rear end screams ‘wide track’ and ‘aerodynamics’ in a purposefully sculpted landscape.

Up top, the M2 debuts an M Carbon roof, which looks as tasty as the weight savings it delivers. The lightweight roof sheds approximately six kilograms compared with traditional steel roofs, which might not seem like much, but considering it’s the highest point on the car, its performance implications are critical; A lower centre of gravity translates into even greater handling agility.

In terms of colours, the M2 is available in five options; Alpine White (solid), Zandvoort Blue (solid), Black Sapphire (metallic), Toronto Red (metallic), and Brooklyn Grey (metallic). While it might not be the safest choice, the Zandvoort Blue looks stunning in the flesh and would easily be my first choice on the configurator.

Overall, the M2’s appearance is a love letter of sorts, a nod to the wide-flared 2002’s and M cars of the ’70s and ’80s, but with a brawny, modern edge. The entire visual terrain is a constant dance of form and function, with function seeming to out-muscle at every opportunity.

Inside the cabin, there’s a consistent balance between intuitive familiarity and tactile, sport-slanted finishes. The M sport seats are expertly bolstered, offering enough comfort for long drives and firm support for when you find yourself, say, serpentining through the Adelaide hills with a stupid grin on your face. For those seeking a more track-focused setup, the M Carbon Experience package includes M Carbon bucket seats which save 10.8kg compared to the standard seats.

In terms of connectivity, the cockpit design is driver-centric, integrating M-specific readouts, controls, and setup options. The curved panel houses a 12.3″ instrument display with a 14.9″ control display that is the familiar unit across most of the BMW range. But unlike regular BMWs, you now get tailored M-related information, including shift lights, in a new bespoke layout.

Complementing the in-cabin technology is the BMW head-up display (standard on Australian models) which features M-specific readouts and unique graphics that enables you to access key information while keeping your focus on the fast-approaching road (or track) ahead.

For those occasional moments of pedestrian driving, the M2 also offers the latest-generation BMW iDrive system (Version 8), which is still one of the most intuitive systems you’ll ever use.

But enough of these design details, what’s it like on the road? Well, like its M3 and M4 siblings, the twin-turbo inline-six under the bonnet is an absolute goliath. This powerplant is more than just an engine; it’s an anthem to the old guard of internal combustion, carrying the weight of multi-cylinder sports cars on its swole shoulders.

Ok, I’ll settle down.

Thanks to 338kW of power (36kW more than its predecessor), the M2 is ferociously quick. Mate this engine with the six-speed manual, and you have a purely intoxicating concoction. Shifting through the gears on twisty country roads and the M2 propels you forward with a savage urgency that never fails to provoke a grin. There is a whisker of rubberiness between shifts, but that will change over time, and the guttural roar out of the exhaust more than makes up for such trivialities.

This remarkable performance is met with an insatiable appetite for revs, with the engine hitting its peak output at 6,500rpm and maintaining power up to the 7,000rpm limit. 0-100km/h? 4.3 seconds in the manual and 4.1 seconds in the 8-speed automatic. Yes, the 8-speed auto is faster, more fuel efficient, and easier as a daily, but this is a BMW M2. The M2 should be engaging, and the manual box suits the car’s personality with aplomb.

With great power comes great responsibility, and the M2’s chassis takes the obligation very seriously.

Whether it be sweeping country roads or tight hairpins in the Adelaide hills, the M2 felt planted, precise, and engaging. It begs you to push harder, rewarding you with a satisfying connection to the road that is rare in today’s world of all-wheel drivetrains and constant torque vectoring. The handling is sublime, with razor-sharp precision and superb feedback through the chassis, allowing you to dance with the car on the edge of its limits.

There is a noticeable chasm in front-end grip between the previous model, with the new M2 mechanically clawing at every bit of tarmac it can get its mitts on. It feels sure-footed in every scenario, with a perfect 50:50 weight distribution providing the gruff unit with a sense of balance and agility that many performance cars would envy.

The adaptive M suspension is a saviour on our roads, with the electronically controlled dampers provided as standard for the first time on an M2. Set the suspension to comfort and everything else to sport; Australia’s B roads will be at your mercy. Stopping power comes in the form 380mm discs with six-piston fixed callipers up front, while the rear utilises 370mm discs with single-piston floating callipers. Unsurprisingly, the M2 is extremely capable under braking, with an excellent combination of bite and feel, even with a solid dose of heavy abuse.

So, addressing my original question; “Is the new BMW M2 a parts bin Frankenstein or the performance paladin drivers have been craving?” It’s unequivocally the latter.

It’s a car that not just respects its roots but also embraces the present, offering a driving experience that’s as thrilling and engaging as it is refined and sophisticated. The M2 is a beacon of hope in the dwindling sports car market, a vivid reminder that engagement, fun and character can still coexist with modern expectations.

Not only is it the best sports car I’ve driven this year, but it’s also one of the best sports cars I’ve ever driven. It carries the weight of the M badge and the expectations of purist drivers worldwide, yet somehow still exceeds anticipations. It’s everything a BMW M car should be. And with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, it’s a defiant salute to the sports cars of yesteryears.

The new BMW M2 is a heartening affirmation that the sports car is still alive and kicking, and with cars like this, it gives driving aficionados a cause for optimism. I sure hope BMW doesn’t ditch the analogue driving experience in the pursuit of other causes because its cars like these that deserve a place in the garages and hearts of driving enthusiasts the world over.

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Justin Jackie is a freelancer automotive writer with over five years of experience reporting and reviewing cars and motorcycles. His work has appeared in a number of industry-leading publications, including the New York Times, T Magazine, BurdaLuxury, Mr Jones, and Prestige Online.

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