While BMW South Africa still skirt about acknowledging the existence of the upcoming M2 Competition, it seems BMW Australia has made a monumental gaffe and inadvertently revealed the hot 2 Series.
And here is it – albeit in a series of rather colourful leaked images. And apart for the pics, some juicy details about its powertrain has been revealed as well.
It’s been well documented that the N55 3.0-litre turbo motor in the M2 Coupe, will make way for a detuned version of the S55 3.0-litre twin-turbo motor from the M4. This is now confirmed in the technical specifications for the M2 Competition, and sees its output rise from 272kw to a staggering 302kw, whilst torque now stands at a mammoth 550nm.
It’s expected to be available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed DCT, which should ensure a 0-100kph sprint of 4.2 seconds. Roughly 0.1 seconds quicker than the standard M2 with a DCT.
The exterior does differ slightly to the standard M2. It gets a new one-piece all-black kidney grill that’s larger and more angular, a revised vented front bumper for better airflow and new 19-inch wheels. The side mirrors are said to be straight off the M4, and this will go a long way to exciting M fans that bemoaned the original mirrors on the M2.
The interior remains largely unchanged except for the new sport seats, once again straight out of the M4, but now wielding M2 emblems. There’s also a new red start/stop button that will remind many of the F90 M5, and more importantly, there are M1 and M2 buttons on the left spoke of the steering wheel suggesting additional driving models.
The car will not be a limited production model, and is expected to arrive in South Africa towards the end of 2018. The M2 Competition is expected to make its public debut on the 25th April at the Beijing Motor Show.
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What does the BMW M2 Competition cost in South Africa?
The BMW M2 Competition is expected to land in South Africa at around R850,000 when it arrives towards the end of 2018, making it roughly R100,000 more expensive than the standard M2 but still significantly cheaper than the M4.
Q: How much power does the M2 Competition have compared to the regular M2?
The M2 Competition packs a serious punch with 302kW and 550Nm from its twin-turbo S55 engine, which is a substantial jump from the regular M2's 272kW, giving you proper M4-derived firepower in a smaller package.
Q: Is the BMW M2 Competition worth buying over the standard M2?
Absolutely, the M2 Competition justifies its premium with 30kW more power, the legendary S55 engine, proper M4 seats and mirrors, plus additional driving modes, making it the M2 that should have been launched from day one.
Q: What's the 0-100kph time for the M2 Competition?
The M2 Competition will rocket from 0-100kph in just 4.2 seconds with the 7-speed DCT gearbox, which is 0.1 seconds quicker than the standard M2 and puts it firmly in proper sports car territory.
Q: When will the BMW M2 Competition be available in South Africa?
BMW M2 Competition is expected to arrive in South African showrooms towards the end of 2018, following its public debut at the Beijing Motor Show on 25th April, so you won't have to wait too much longer for this beast.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, absolutely buy the M2 Competition if you're after the best compact performance car under R900,000 in South Africa. This is the M2 we've all been waiting for, with the proper S55 twin-turbo engine delivering 302kW and 550Nm, genuine M4 components, and that perfect combination of everyday usability with weekend track day capability. At an expected R850,000, it's still cheaper than an M4 but gives you 90% of the performance in a more nimble, characterful package. The M2 Competition isn't just an upgrade, it's the definitive version of what could be BMW's last great naturally compact M car before everything goes electric and heavy.
