BMW M2 G87

2023 BMW M2 launched in Malaysia – all-new 460 PS G87 from RM573k, Pro Package variant from RM617k

In BMW, Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News / By Gerard Lye / 17 January 2023 5:21 pm / 33 comments

BMW Malaysia has launched the all-new G87 M2, which is now available for online pre-booking and is offered in two versions. The asking price of the regular M2 will be RM598,800 on-the-road without insurance, while the M2 with Pro Package retails for RM44,000 more at RM642,800 – these figures include the optional five-year extended warranty and service package. With a standard two-year warranty, it’s RM573,040 for the regular M2 and RM617,040 for the M2 with the Pro Package.

First revealed in October last year during BMW M’s 50th anniversary, the latest M2 is based on the G42 2 Series Coupe and is powered by a 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine. The S58 powerplant replaces the S55 and is the same one you’ll find in the M3, M4, X3 M and X4 M, albeit detuned to deliver 460 PS (453 hp) at 6,250 rpm and 550 Nm of torque from 2,650 to 5,870 rpm.

Even so, it still bests the previous M2 Competition that offered 410 PS (405 hp) and 550 Nm, while the much hotter M2 CS packed 450 PS (444 hp) and 550 Nm. The second-generation M2 will hit a top speed of 250 km/h or 285 km/h, the latter being 5 km/h higher than the S55-equipped M2s but requires the optional M Driver’s Package to be specified – BMW Malaysia says this can be retrofieed at any authorised dealership nationwide.

Sadly, the M2 will not be offered here with a six-speed manual, with the only transmission option being an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic, which gets the car from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. It is still quick, beating out the previous M2 Competition that had a seven-speed dual clutch in the century sprint by 0.1 seconds.

Drive continues to be sent exclusively to the rear wheels, with an Active M Differential at the rear axle to variable distribute drive torque effectively. This works with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, and drivers can set the car up for maximum grip or drifting fun via the M Drive Professional with M Traction Control system – adaptive M suspension is standard.

Size-wise, the new M2 is larger than its F87 predecessor. Breaking out the ruler, the G87 measures 4,580 mm long, 1,887 mm wide and 1,403 mm tall, which makes it 119 mm longer, 16 mm wider and 11 mm taller, while the wheelbase has increased by 54 mm to 2,747 mm.

The new dimensions are coupled with a boxier design that features M-specific design cues like a frameless kidney grille with double-bar slats, aggressive front and rear bumpers, flared wheel arches, widened side skirts, a prominent rear diffuser, a lip spoiler and signature quad exhausts.

Staggered wheels measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear are standard for the M2, and the base variant gets double-spoke style M light alloys in 930 M bicolour. Upgrading to the Pro Package variant nets you a different wheel design: double-spoke style M light alloys in 930 M black.

Both variants feature M Compound brakes, but the regular variant has its calipers (six-piston front, single-piston rear) painted in blue, while red comes with the Pro Package. Other exterior touches that are unique to the Pro Package variant include the extended M High-gloss Shadowline package, a carbon-fibre roof and M Lights Shadowline – the more affordable version only gets a standard M High-gloss Shadowline package.

As for the interior, the M2 follows the car it is based on adopting the BMW Curved Display, so the dashboard sports a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The screens are powered by BMW Operating System 8 that feature M-specific displays, with audio playback being handled by either a HiFi loudspeaker system or a Harman Kardon surround sound system – the latter is only available with the Pro Package.

Powered M Sport seats with specific side bolsters and illuminated M logos are standard fitments, as are an M leather steering wheel, red M Mode buttons, an anthracite headliner, aluminium ‘Rhombicle’ anthracite interior trim, a head-up display, three-zone climate control, Comfort Access and ambient lighting. Exclusive to Pro Package variant are the M-themed seat belts and carbon-fibre interior trim.

Exterior colour options that customers can choose from include Zandvoort Blue, Alpine White, Brooklyn Grey, Black Sapphire and Toronto Red, while the interior upholstery is offered in black Vernasca leather with exclusive highlights or blue contrast stitching as well as Cognac Vernasca leather with décor stitching.

In terms of driver assistance, you get the Driving Assist Package that includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Front Collision Warning with brake intervention (collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function), Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention as well as Speed Limit Info with manual Speed Limit Assistant.

Parking Assistant is also present and consists of the Park Assist function, Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid and a reverse camera. Also equipped as standard is cruise control with braking function but not adaptive cruise control.

Once again, the M2 is priced at RM598,800, while the Pro Package costs an additional RM44,000 at RM642,800. Those interested can make a booking at BMW Malaysia’s online store from today.

GALLERY: 2023 G87 BMW M2

GALLERY: 2023 G87 BMW M2 (Malaysia market)

GALLERY: 2023 G87 BMW M2 with Pro Package (Malaysia market)

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2023 BMW M2 M Performance kit revealed – titanium exhaust, adjustable suspension, large rear spoiler

In BMW, Cars, International News / By Pan Eu Jin / 26 October 2022 11:31 am / 3 comments

BMW M has revealed a range of M Performance accessories for the newly launched BMW M2 with race-inspired character to further amplify the design of its compact high-performance sports car. The kit will be available from April 2023 onwards, along with the new M2.

On the outside, the M Performance carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) add-ons include a front splitter, front air intake trims, side skirt attachments, side spats, and side mirror caps. At the rear, an M Performance rear lip spoiler or a large rear wing, along with a roof spoiler and rear diffuser are also available in carbon-fibre. Other M Performance accessories for the exterior include a tow strap and antenna cover in aramid, a fibre composite material.

In the name of weight-saving, a titanium M Performance silencer system is available. The front section of the exhaust system is made of lightweight stainless steel, while the rear silencer is made of titanium. As a result, the M Performance silencer system is eight kg lighter than the standard system. As for the tailpipes, they’re available either in titanium or carbon-fibre.

To further optimise the handling of the new M2, a specially-tuned M Performance suspension can be retrofitted. The coilovers – with height-adjustable springs – allow the ride height to be lowered by up to 10 mm. Further out from the wheel arches, M Performance forged wheels sculpted from a single piece of aluminium are available. The 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheel set can be had in either Frozen Gold Bronze or Jet Black matte.

The range of M Performance parts offered for the M2 also extends to the cabin, with a mix of Alcantara and exposed open-pore carbon-fibre trims. These include an Alcantara armrest and knee pads along with carbon-fibre trim on the door sill, backrest covers and dashboard.

For even more connection with the car through the corners, there’s an M Performance steering wheel Pro, which features contoured grips in Alcantara with large thumb rests and special lining. The top and bottom section of the steering is wrapped in leather.

Aside from the carbon-fibre/Alcantara appearance, the steering wheel can also be finished with a mix of leather and carbon-fibre. Rounding up the M Performance inventory are items such as the M Performance floor mats, door pins and carbon-fibre fuel filler cap.

To recap, the new M2 is powered by an S58 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine producing 460 PS at 6,250 rpm and 550 Nm from 2,650 to 5,870 rpm, paired with an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox with Drivelogic. The M2 gets from 0-100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, or 4.3 seconds if you opt for the six-speed manual gearbox. Top speed is rated at 250 km/h, but that figure can be increased to 285 km/h with the M Driver’s package.

So, if you were to own the new BMW M2, which items on this list would you go for?

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2023 BMW M2 with M Performance Parts – stacked exhaust pipes, plenty of carbon-fibre, large rear wing

In BMW, Cars, International News / By Gerard Lye / 17 October 2022 5:48 pm / 2 comments

BMW offers a range of M Performance Parts for its models, and the second-generation M2 that made its debut last week is no exception. The German carmaker recently posted several photos of the M2 all dressed up to give customers – the market launch kicks off in April next year – some idea of how to specify their cars.

Based on the photos, the M Performance Parts catalogue for the M2 includes a prominent rear wing mounted on the boot. This adds to the subtle boot lid spoiler that is already fitted to the standard car, which itself can be replaced with a carbon-fibre piece.

Other optional aero components visible include a roof-mounted spoiler as well as various flics and trim around the wheel arches, side skirts and on edges of the bumpers. The rear bumper can also be fitted with carbon-fibre accents on its squarish indentations for a bolder look. You can also order carbon-fibre pieces for the front air intakes at the front.

If that isn’t enough, BMW also sells a different quad exhaust system with the tips stacked in the centre of a carbon-fibre diffuser. This gives a more dramatic appearance compared to the stock arrangement where the tips are arranged horizontally, like what is offered on the latest M3 and M4.

The black alloy wheels with V-shaped spokes are also optional (20-inch front and 21-inch rear) as are the carbon mirror caps. Customers will probably be able to specify the elaborate decals seen here, which includes a large ‘///M2’ on the bonnet.

In its latest form, the M2 shares the same S58 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine with the M3 and M4, although it makes just 460 PS (453 hp) and 550 Nm of torque. Enthusiasts will be pleased to know that a six-speed manual gearbox is still available as an alternative to the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic.

The blocky styling of BMW M’s compact sports coupe has been pretty divisive judging by the chatter on the internet, but is it more appealing with M Performance Parts fitted? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

GALLERY: 2023 BMW M2

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2023 BMW M2 debuts – all-new G87 stays RWD only; 3.0L turbo straight-six with 460 PS, six-speed manual

In BMW, Cars, International News / By Gerard Lye / 12 October 2022 11:37 am / 8 comments

At long last, BMW has revealed the all-new M2, which replaces the outgoing F87 model that has been around since 2015. Now based on the G42 2 Series Coupe, the second-generation M2 – codenamed G87 – refines its predecessor’s formula and is yet another car that the BMW’s M division is rolling out in the year it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The new M2 continues to be powered by a 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine, but the S55 has been replaced with the S58 that is also used by the latest M3, M4, X3 M and X4 M. Unlike those cars, the M2’s S58 is detuned to produce 460 PS (453 hp) at 6,250 rpm and 550 Nm of torque from 2,650 to 5,870 rpm.

For context, the previous M2 Competition offers 410 PS (405 hp) and 550 Nm, while the much hotter M2 CS packs 450 PS (444 hp) and 550 Nm. BMW says the second-generation M2 will hit a top speed of 250 km/h or 285 km/h, the latter being 5 km/h higher than the S55-equipped M2s but requires the optional M Driver’s Package to be specified.

To manage thermals, the engine features an M-specific cooling system, and the oil sump has two separate chambers and an additional suction stage to ensure oil circulates reliably during dynamic driving. Meanwhile, the M-specific exhaust system has electrically controlled flaps to enhance the aural experience and exhaust gases are expelled via a quartet of tailpipes.

In terms of acceleration times, the G87 M2 will get from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds thanks to its eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic. To keep enthusiasts happy, BMW will also continue to offer a proper six-speed manual gearbox, although this will see the century sprint time increase to 4.3 seconds

Compared to the older F87 cars that were offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch as well as a six-speed manual, the latest M2 is 0.1 seconds faster than the M2 Competition in the 0-100 km/h run but 0.1 seconds slower than the M2 CS across both its available transmissions.

Drive continues to be sent exclusively to the rear wheels, with an Active M Differential at the rear axle to variable distribute drive torque effectively so it is not lost through slip. This works with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, and drivers can set the car up for maximum grip or drifting fun via the M Drive Professional with M Traction Control system.

Like other M cars, individual vehicle systems can be adjusted according to the driver’s preference, with these setting programmable to the two M buttons on the steering wheel. Preset options like Road, Sport and Track are also accessible via the dedicated M Mode button on the centre console.

Complementing the drivetrain are M-specific bracing and chassis components that serve to increase torsional stiffness. Efforts include bespoke links connecting the individual sprint strut towers with one another and with the nose of the car and bulkhead as well as vertical braces linking the stiffening elements of the engine compartment to the enlarged front axle subframe, with a single-piece aluminium shear panel and integral sill braces.

Adaptive M suspension comes standard on the M2, which also has M-specific kinematic and elastokinematic properties for the wheel suspension – double-joint spring strut front and five-link rear. Rounding up the list of handling-related features are M Servotronic steering and M Compound brakes, the latter with six-piston fixed calipers and 380 mm discs at the front, while the rear gets single-piston floating calipers with 370 mm discs.

The calipers are painted blue by default, but red is also available as an option. These hide behind 19-inch alloy wheels at the front (275/35 profile tyres) and 20 inchers (285/30 profile tyres) at the rear – track-specific tyres are also offered.

On the mention of the exterior, the new M2 measures 4,580 mm long, 1,887 mm wide and 1,403 mm tall, which makes it 119 mm longer, 16 mm wider and 11 mm taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also been increased by 54 mm to now span 2,747 mm.

As mentioned earlier, the G87 is based on the G42, so you’ll either love or hate the styling of the coupe. If you’re not convinced, maybe the M-specific design cues will make the M2 more appealing. Up front, the performance model is easily identifiable by its frameless kidney grille with horizontal double-bar slats. The bumper is also more aggressive in appearance and its three-section apron is comprised intakes with almost rectangular contours to optimise cooling of the powertrain and brakes.

Elsewhere, the headlamps are pushed to the edges as they are on the regular G42 and can be had with full-LED technology or an optional Adaptive LED system. Progressing further along the car, you’ll notice the flared wheel arches to contain the wider rubbers, with matching side skirts and the option of a carbon-fibre roof to reduce the vehicle weight by around 6 kg – the DIN weight of 1,725 kg is around 170 kg more than before.

To match the sporty front, the rear of the M2 gets a diffuser insert that integrates the exhaust outlets, a spoiler lip and vertically arranged reflectors set deep into the outer edge of the bumper. Naturally, BMW offers a range of personalisation options for the M2, including no less than two solid (Alpine White, Zandvoort Blue) and three metallic (Sapphire Black, Brooklyn Grey, Toronto Red) exterior paint shades, along with M Performance Parts like 20-/21-inch format wheels.

Inside, the M2 comes with the BMW Curved Display introduced to the G42 as part of rolling update in May this year. The multi-screen setup (12.3-inch instrument cluster display and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen) is powered by BMW Operating System 8 and functions such as the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer are included to go along with the driver-centric design touches like M-specific readouts (including M Shift Lights), controls and setup options.

The standard sport seats can be replaced with either M Sport seats or M Carbon bucket seats if budget permits, the last of which is full of flair with an illuminated model badge on the headrests, Merino leather upholstery, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) structural elements and is provisioned to accommodate a multi-point harness. They are also 10.8 kg lighter than the M Sport seats.

Again, there are plenty of add-ons for customers to specify in addition to the standard equipment list that includes three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a Hi-Fi speaker system and various active safety systems (autonomous emergency braking, speed limit assist, etc.). For instance, there’s a Harman Kardon sound system, the aforementioned M Carbon roof, a powered sunroof and additional safety systems (Lane Change Warning, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, etc.).

The worldwide launch of the new M2 begins in April 2023, with BMW saying the most important markets are Germany and the United States, followed by Great Britain, China and Japan. Production takes place alongside the regular 2 Series Coupe at BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico.

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