A BMW M2 Coupe in Zandvoort Blue is sure a head turner! In addition to its sporty looks, this Bimmer delivers exhilarating handling and is loaded with features and tech. The 2023 M2 is a blast as a daily driver and always up for a day at the track.
Base Price: $62,200
As Tested: $69,695
Horsepower: 453
Mileage: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined
The second-generation M2 is new for 2023. It starts at $62,200. It’s only available with rear-wheel drive. Various packages and options can send the price higher in a hurry.
The M2 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that cranks out a whopping 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and an eight-speed M Sport automatic is available at no extra charge. There’s room for four passengers in two rows of seating.
The M2 takes off like a rocket! BMW says it can go from zero to 60 mpg in 3.9 seconds with the automatic transmission, and 4.1 seconds with the automatic. Steering is responsive and this Bimmer can turn on a time, handling corners and twisty back roads with ease. The bolstered seats keep the driver and passenger snugly in place. The ride is fairly firm but the adaptive M suspension does a good job of smoothing out bumps and rough roads. While it’s exhilarating to drive at higher speeds, the M2 is also comfortable and easy to handle as a daily driver in busy city traffic.
Fuel economy is what you’d expect for a small high-performance sports car. EPA ratings for my tester are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with a combined rating of 19. I got 19 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Premium gas is required.
The handsome cabin is similar to the 2-series coupe. A curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel provides all the info a driver could want and flows into a huge 14.9-inch touchscreen that houses BMW’s latest iDrive 8 system. Materials are upscale and elegant including Piano Black and metal-look accents and trim. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, with good leg- and headroom. The second row is another story – it’s very tight and really only suited for kids.
Standard features include proximity key, remote keyless entry, push button start, rearview camera, dual zone climate control, Vernasca leather upholstery, Anthracite headliner, heated M sport seats with power side bolsters, 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats, an M telescopic and leather-wrapped steering wheel, variable sport steering, M sport brakes, an active differential, an adaptive M suspension, an M sport exhaust, a track drive mode, a lap timer, harman/kardon surround sound system with 14 speakers, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, navigation, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a power glass moonroof.
Packages and additional add-ons are available. The Carbon package ($9,900) adds an M Carbon roof, carbon-fiber-reinforced and leather-trimmed bucket seats in Black Merino leather with BMW M tricolors around the backrests and headrests, and a one-day track session at a BMW Performance Center. The Shadowline package ($300) adds blacked-out headlight inlays and black exhaust pipes. The Lighting package ($650) includes LED adaptive headlights with automatic high beams.
Individual options include active cruise control ($550), Live Cockpit Pro with a head-up display ($1,100), remote engine start ($300), heated steering wheel ($200), M carbon-fiber-reinforced roof ($2,600), parking assistant ($200), wireless device charging ($200) and a personal 5G Wi-Fi hot spot ($300).
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, speed-limit recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
Available driver assistance features include stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and park assist.
The BMW Curved Display digital gauge cluster and infotainment system look splendid. You can configure the 12.3-inch instrument panel to your liking. The high-res 14.9-inch touchscreen responds quickly to commands, whether by touch, voice or the iDrive touchpad controller. Over-the-Air updates for map data are included. While it takes some time to become familiar with the system, it becomes easy to use with practice.
The M2 Coupe has 13.8 feet of trunk space. Split-folding rear seats allow for extra storage space. A power trunk lid is standard.
The good:
Sporty appearance
Thrilling performance
Rocket-like acceleration
Available with a manual transmission
Loaded with features and tech
BMW’s Curved Display gauge and infotainment system look amazing
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Ready for the track or easy as a daily driver
The not-so-good:
Cramped second row
Price can climb in a hurry with packages and options
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $62,200. The Shadowline Package is $300 and adds M Shadowline lights and exhaust tips in black. The Lighting Package is $650 and adds adaptive LED headlights. Remote engine start is $300. BMW M 50 years emblems are $200. Carbon Fiber trim is $800. The M Carbon roof is $2,600. Active cruise control is $550. Live Cockpit Pro with head-up display is $1,100. Destination charge is $995 bringing the grand total to $69,695.
Bottom line:
The 2023 BMW M2 Coupe looks fast and it is. This high-performance coupe is a blast when pushed and also compliant for driving around town. Sure, the backseat is tight and fuel economy isn’t the greatest. But driving this Bimmer is definitely a thrill! It’s an attention-getter, too, especially in Zandvoort Blue.
