New BMW M2 spotted: price, specs and release date

March 23, 2022 by

The new BMW M2 has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring ahead of its launch later this year. Read on for all you need to know. 

  • New BMW M2 Coupe spotted
  • Looks. much more aggressive than the M240i
  • 3-litre six-cylinder engine with 400hp likely
  • 0-60mph in around 4.5 seconds
  • Rear-wheel-drive expected
  • Manual and automatic gearboxes anticipated
  • Should go on sale in 2022
  • £50,000 starting price likely

The latest BMW M2 is on the way and, because it’s the 50th anniversary of BMW’s M division, it should be revealed at some point this year. This fast and fun coupe will be an alternative to hot hatches such as the Mercedes-AMG A45s and Audi RS3, and the Toyota GR86 sportscar.

This new sports coupe has been spotted testing, and it appears the styling will be pretty similar to the exclusive render carwow shared last year (watch the video above to check it out.)

New BMW M2 design

Even through the camouflage, you can tell that the new BMW M2 is sporting a far more aggressive bodykit compared to the recently revealed BMW M240i. There’s no hiding those huge air intakes up front, or the deeper bumper.

Down the side, you can also make out the wider wheel arches and sporty side skirts. An exclusive carwow render last year showed what the new M2 may look like, and the prototype seems to echo this design. The divisive kidney grilles of the current BMW M3 and M4 won’t be carried over to the M2.

The recently revealed BMW M240i gives you a pretty good idea of what the new M2 will look like. The headlights will likely be carried over, however the M2 is expected to sit lower than the standard 2 Series.

Changes to the rear of the car will be equally as racy, too. A carbon extension to the ducktail spoiler seems likely, along with a working diffuser — plus the signature M-car quad-exit exhausts.

New BMW M2 engine and performance

Whereas the regular BMW 2 Series is set to get a range of three- and four-cylinder petrol engines, the M2 will be available with something a bit brawnier.

It’ll likely use a version of the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine fitted to the BMW M240i, M340i and BMW Z4 M40i, while future competition versions may borrow the M3 and M4‘s engine instead.

You won’t see exact power figures revealed until closer to the launch of the BMW M2, but it’s definitely going to get more than the 374hp in the M240i. The new M2 will likely be offered with the same xDrive all-wheel-drive system as the M240i, however it’s possible that it will be available with rear-wheel-drive as well.

If you go by the previous BMW M2, then a six-speed manual gearbox will be offered as standard with an automatic available as an option, possibly the same eight-speed unit from the BMW M3. If an all-wheel-drive version is offered, then it’ll likely get the automatic as standard.

New BMW M2 interior

The new M2 will take the M240i’s interior (above) and add plenty of sportier touches

The new BMW m2’s cabin should mimic that of the M240i pretty closely (shown above).

This would mean a mixture of physical buttons and touchscreen controls, a digital drivers display and BMW’s latest iDrive system.

The M2 should get plenty of sporty features inside to differentiate itself from the standard 2 Series. You can expect a chunky steering wheel, M-specific graphics and heavily bolstered sports seats. You may even be able to get the same carbon fibre seats from the BMW M3 Competition.

New BMW M2 price and release date

There’s no official word yet from BMW on when you’ll get to see the new M2 Coupe, though it’ll likely be unveiled in 2022 in line with the 50th anniversary of BMW’s M division.

Prices are also being kept under wraps for now, but don’t be surprised if the new M2 ends up being a little dearer than the current car. Standard M2 Coupes could set you back more than £50,000 (that’s around £5,000 more than today’s M2) while high-performance Competition and CS variants will be pricier still.

Can’t wait for the new BMW M2? Compare the latest BMW deals or check out carwow’s pick of the top 10 coupe cars on sale now.