Summary

• The BMW M2 has developed from its debut in 2016 to turn into a aggressive and modern sports activities automobile within the M vary.
• With updates just like the M2 Competition and M2 CS, BMW has regularly improved the efficiency and design of the M2.
• The second-generation BMW M2 is the final to function a pure combustion engine, making it a big mannequin within the transition to electrical energy.

Throughout BMW’s historical past, the M badge has allowed the Munich-based model to compete on the pinnacle of the efficiency automobile scene, with its fashions stretching throughout a number of segments. Starting with the M1 back in 1978, the primary road-going BMW M automobile, we have been handled to numerous trend-setting grand tourers, sedans, wagons, and SUVs that flip the heads of each BMW rival. With the M3, M4, and M5 being the automobiles that grabbed the eye, the 2016 mannequin 12 months launched a brand new mannequin to the M vary, the compact M2 sports activities automobile.

The M2 shortly grew to become a favourite inside the neighborhood, with its spectacular efficiency, modern design, and extra reasonably priced worth, making it a critical opponent to the present compact sports activities automobiles. Since its preliminary launch, BMW has continued to evolve and refine the M2, turning it into one of the aggressive new automobiles in its section this 12 months. Here’s an in depth have a look at the historical past of the BMW M2 from 2016 to 2024.

In order to provide the most modern and correct data attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from BMW and different authoritative sources, together with Car And Driver and CarBuzz.

The First Generation M2 F87

The mannequin in query that kickstarted the M2’s legacy hit the roads in 2016, with the first-generation F87 debuting at the Detroit Auto Show. Anticipation for the M2 was rising extra strong because the reveal neared, and the official reveal most undoubtedly lived as much as the expectations for the brand new M automobile. Combining one of the best components of various BMW fashions, the 2016 M2 was an excellent base for increasing the nameplate.

Its up to date, engaging design fashion initially attracted the M2’s consideration, introducing a brand new, improved aero bundle and an total wider, imposing stance. The ’16 M2 was 80 millimeters wider than the two Series because of the bigger entrance and rear bumpers. Wider wheel arches additionally got here with the M2, which makes an enormous distinction regardless of solely a minor design tweak.

Setting A New Standard

The BMW 2 Series was already in manufacturing by 2016, with the primary technology launched in 2013. The thought behind the two Series was to offer a similar experience to the larger models mixed with the practicality of the 1 Series, inspiring BMW to do the identical for the M vary. Despite being similar in proportions to the bottom 2 Series, the ability noticed sizable modifications within the first-ever M2 to justify the additional cash.

In 2016, one of the best non-M efficiency BMW 2 Series you can purchase was the M235i, which at face worth shares comparable traits with the M2. While that is true for elements such because the engine, with each fashions that includes a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, the M2 got here with loads of upgrades to set it aside actually. The M235i began at $45,100, and the M2 began at $52,695, which was not a giant leap in any respect.

As for energy output, the M235i produced 320 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, whereas the M2 elevated to 365 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Some upgrades that led to the sizable energy output enchancment for the M2 included the identical pistons and crankshaft bearings from the bigger M3 and M4 fashions, an upgraded oil sump system, and improved cooling. Subsequently, the M2 might go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in simply 4.4 seconds.

Falling Only Slightly Behind The M3 and M4

Although not fairly beating out its bigger M counterparts in 2016, the M2 nonetheless managed to creep up behind the present flagship M3 and M4 fashions. It wasn’t anticipated that the M2 would match the ability output of the bigger fashions, with each the 2016 M3 and M4 producing 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque as normal.

However, those that have pushed the ’16 M2 applaud it for higher dealing with, because of its smaller physique. Some house owners complained in regards to the measurement of the M4, and due to the M2 receiving the M4’s suspension elements, the compact sports activities automobile managed to hit the bottom working inside the M efficiency vary.

Introduction Of The M2 Competition In 2018

In 2018, the primary main replace for the BMW M2 was launched because the M2 Competition, which improved nearly each facet of the base-level first-generation mannequin. The beforehand talked about M3 and M4 acquired the identical bundle in 2016, making it solely a matter of time earlier than the all-new entry into the M vary would additionally reap the advantages.

Taking Performance To The Next Level

As the bundle’s identify suggests, the ’18 BMW M2 Competition took the smallest model in the M range to new territory. Using a brand new 3.0-liter inline-six as the bottom mannequin, the M2 competitors bumped the ability output to an awe-inspiring 410 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It was priced solely $3,900 greater than the bottom M2 at an total beginning MSRP of $58,900 in 2018. This new engine was taken straight from the M3 and M4 however was barely turned down.

Additional efficiency upgrades additionally got here with the ’18 M2 competitors, most notably with the brakes. The brakes’ measurement elevated for the M2 Competition, which BMW named the M Sport Brake System Red. These new brakes got here with internally ventilated and perforated rotors with aluminum entrance calipers. The suspension and rear differential have been additionally enhanced for the M2 Competition, aiming for a extra responsive and assured really feel across the monitor.

Updates To The M2’s Design

Although the looks updates weren’t fairly as vital because the efficiency upgrades for the 2018 M2 Competition, the refined modifications have been greater than sufficient to as soon as once more separate the brand new variation of the compact sports activities automobile from the remainder of the pack. The bigger entrance bumper aspect vents immediately catch the attention, with their objective being to feed extra air into the brand new and improved cooling system. In addition to the extra outsized intakes, the long-lasting kidney grille grew and was painted black.

The grille wasn’t the one ingredient of the M2 Competition that acquired a contemporary coat of paint. The 4 exhaust tailpipes got here in chrome black to be the cherry on high of the automobile’s new exhaust system. An unique Hockenheim Silver exterior coloration was additionally out there for the ’18 M2 Competition, honoring one of the iconic racetracks on the earth and a key testing floor for BMW.

2019’s Track-Focused M2 CS

If the 2018 M2 Competition wasn’t radical sufficient, BMW determined to enhance the M2 F87 once more with the ’19 M2 CS. While the previous mannequin was geared for monitor use, the M2 CS shortly dethroned the M2 Competition for being the king of the compact M Performance sports activities automobile nameplate.

The M2 CS appears to be like comparatively the identical from the skin, with only some key variations, similar to the massive hood vent and carbon fiber therapies to the rear aero bundle. However, it is beneath the hood that the massive features have been made to justify the whopping $83,600 beginning worth upon launch.

Building Upon The M2 Competition’s Performance

While the M2 Competition took fairly a couple of technical elements from the M4, the 2019 M2 CS matched its bigger counterpart when it comes to efficiency by that includes the identical engine because the M4 Competition. This allowed for a complete energy output of 444 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, turning the automobile into a correct monitor machine. Elements such because the suspension have been once more tweaked for higher stability and sharper total dealing with, along with a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic.

The Second Generation BMW M2

After six years with the first-generation M2, BMW unveiled the brand new face for the compact sports activities automobile, the second-generation G87 mannequin. Introduced in 2023, the brand new M2 carries over into the 2024 mannequin 12 months with out receiving any vital modifications however continues to be one of the potent M Performance automobiles that BMW at the moment affords.

The second technology BMW M2 can also be one of the vital M Performance fashions ever produced, with BMW CEO Oliver Zipse confirming that it will be the final to function a pure combustion engine as the brand shifts focus entirely onto electric power. The model just lately introduced that their Munich manufacturing unit will completely produce electrical automobiles from 2027 onwards, so we’ll nonetheless see this new iteration of the M2 shine for not less than a couple of extra years.

Revised Exterior Styling

Quite so much has modified for the 2023/24 BMW M” compared to its predecessor, with the car’s exterior design being one of the areas that received a complete overall. Embracing a much more boxy, hard-edged design, the new M2 stands out amongst BMW’s intensive fleet greater than ever, with its design additionally being one of the controversial components of the automobile.

The first facet of the automobile you will discover is the way more outstanding entrance grille, which, though it retains an analogous form to the older mannequin, loses a lot of its curved philosophy to go well with the brand new total design fashion. The aspect panel of the ’23 M2 is way flatter than earlier than, resulting in the bulkier rear wheel arches. Moving to the rear, the design is way more complicated than the primary technology M2, receiving a broader, deeper bumper with wider air vents.

Moving Closer To The Larger M Performance Cars

While the outside design of the second-generation M2 was a trigger for dialogue, no person might disagree with its blistering efficiency, which takes a giant leap in comparison with the first-gen F87 mannequin. The M2 comes with a refined 3.0-liter inline-six, able to producing 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. As for velocity, the M2 can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds.

Previous M2 fashions did handle to compete with the bigger M Performance fashions, however not on the base stage of the automobiles. However, this most undoubtedly modifications for 2024, with the BMW M4 producing 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Despite being $16,895 cheaper than the M4, the second-generation BMW M2 additional cements itself as among the best M Performance fashions at the moment in manufacturing, primarily based on the framework set by the first-ever M2 again in 2016.