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The 2023 BMW M2 in the Competition-spec was seen running laps on the Nürburgring, but it still didn’t show any skin
by Sidd Dhimaan, on LISTEN 03:56The new BMW M2 has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring. It has been spotted back previously as well, but this time it’s in the Competition-spec. BMW is planning to revamp the new M2 to a large extent and it won’t just be a baby M3 now. Will it be able to live up to the hype, or are we in for a disappointing surprise when the car comes out?
Is There Something New In The Latest Spy Shots?
The M2 was seen testing at the Nürburgring and this time it’s in the Competition avatar.
The car is still covered in heavy camouflage, but the Competition-spec wheels, the larger exhaust pipes, and the carbon bucket seats indicate that it isn’t the standard M2.
The car is still compact in size, and if it does get more power – as the rumors suggest – it will be a hoot-and-a-half to drive.
How Does The Upcoming M2 Compare To The Existing Model?
The 2021 M2 Competition is powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo six-pot mill that puts out 405 ponies and 406 pound-feet of twist Power is routed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but you can also opt for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with Launch Control.
It takes four seconds to sprint to 60 mph in the case of a manual gearbox, and 4.2 seconds in the case of the automatic.
Top speed is limited to 156 mph as standard, but can be unlocked up to 174 mph.
Some news suggests that the company will bring in the updated S58 version of the engine. In the standard models, it can churn out up to 473 horses and 443 pound-feet of torque. In the M3 and M4 Competition, it makes up to 503 ponies. It will be quite spectacular if we’d get outputs anywhere close to this. But, realistically speaking, the increase will be less than 10-percent. Earlier this year, Autocar had reported that the standard M2 could make up to 410 horses and the Competition model up to 430. The torque figures could go as high as 428 pound-feet.
While big changes are being made to the upcoming M2, the addition of an xDrive model isn’t one of them.
The M2 will continue to be offered as a rear-wheel-drive-only model. What’s going to change, however, is the gearbox. The automaker will most likely be ditching the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in favor of an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. If the company is gracious enough, the six-speed manual will be carried as it is. I mean, if the upcoming Acura Integra can have it, then why not the BMW M2? #SaveTheManuals
Did I mention that it will ride on a new platform? No? Well, it will. The compact performance car will be based on the company’s CLAR architecture moving forward. It’s the same platform that also underpins much larger cars, like the X3, X5, X6, the 7 Series and 8 Series, and even the new Z4. This also allows the M2 to be electrified in some form in the future since the platform supports 48-volt architecture.
Apart from this, a new suspension setup, more aerodynamic efficiency, and other tweaks and turns can be expected for improved ride and handling. It could be slightly bigger than before, although it isn’t exactly evident from the spy shots. If all goes well, the next-gen M2 will be launched in 2022. What are your thoughts on this upcoming compact performance car? Check out the spy shots batch below and share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
