BMW AUSTRALIA IS SET TO INTRODUCE the new BMW M2 Coupé, which has received a power and torque increase, later this year.
The straight-six M TwinPower Turbo engine of the rear-drive sports coupé now develops 353kW, representing an increase of 15kW over the previous model.
The automatic variant also receives an increase in peak torque, from 550Nm to 600Nm.
Advances have been made with throttle mapping and response in all selectable drive modes to provide more rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration.
The updates mean the BMW M2 accelerates faster than before. The M2 fitted with the six-speed manual transmission – which continues to be offered in Australia and represents a unique proposition in the segment – can now achieve a 4.2-second standard sprint time. This is a 0.1 second improvement over the previous model.
For the variant fitted with the eight-speed M Steptronic Sport transmission, it can now hit the 100km/h mark from rest in 4.0-seconds. This is also one tenth of a second faster.
The increase in power makes its presence felt over the zero to 200km/h sprint (a speed that is only legal in Australia on race tracks or private roads), with both the automatic and manual variant shaving 0.6-seconds off their times. The former now achieves the mark in 12.9 seconds and the latter in 13.7.
Changes to the powertrain are complemented by equipment and technology enhancements.
The BMW M2 is now available in a wider choice of paint finishes, including new Sao Paulo Yellow solid, Fire Red metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic.
The BMW Individual portfolio now also features Java Green, Voodoo Blue, Grigio Telesto and Twilight Purple.
Customers can elevate the look of their BMW M2 Coupé with a new M light-alloy wheel design in double-spoke design finished in silver. Wheel size is 19-inch on the front and 20-inch on the rear as before.
The revised cockpit of the BMW M2 includes a new M leather steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim, modified spokes and a red centre marker at the 12 o’clock position. An Alcantara trimmed wheel will also be available as an option.
Vernasca leather upholstery, which is already standard on Australian models, can now be ordered in a red/black bi-colour variant. In addition, the lightweight M Carbon bucket seats can be specified as an individual option.
A lift in the technology offering sees the BMW M2 receive the latest evolution of the BMW iDrive control/operation system based on BMW Operating System 8.5.
The cockpit also features a redesigned instrument panel to enhance functionality. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.
The Australian standard interior trim remains as before with the race-inspired, M Carbon Fibre finish.
Announcement of the new BMW M2 comes at a time of strong sales growth, with the acclaimed coupé at the top of the BMW Australia high-performance car sales charts, leading BMW M3 and M4. A total of 439 BMW M2 examples have already been registered this year.
Pricing and specification of the BMW M2 Coupé will be revealed next month, with deliveries commencing in Q4.