One of the better driver’s cars, the BMW M2, has been updated and will be introduced to NZ later this year.
Not that it was lacking previously, but it now extracts a few more horses from its straight-six engine. With a pair of mono-scroll turbochargers, an indirect intercooler and an electronically controlled wastegate, the six pot now produces 353kW, an increase of 15kW over the previous model. Peak power registers at 6250rpm, while the unit spins to 7200rpm.
The M2 is one of the last rear drive sports cars to offer the choice of either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto. Buyers of the latter will also enjoy the benefits of a healthy increase in torque, up from 550Nm to 600.
BMW says it has fettled the software for the throttle mapping to deliver an improved response in all the M2’s drive modes.
Well, BMW says it is, noting that it is 0.1 second quicker to 100km/h, with the manual clocking in at 4.2sec while the auto is good for a 4.0sec pass. It should prove a bit quicker at the drag strip too as the 0-200km/h time has fallen by 0.6sec, the manual M2 taking 13.7sec and the auto 12.9sec.
The M2 has benefitted from a few equipment and technology enhancements.
There is a new steering wheel inside with modified spokes and a red centre marker at the 12 o’clock position. The leather upholstery can now be ordered in a red/black bi-colour variant. Optional hot ups include lightweight M Carbon bucket seats and an Alcantara trimmed wheel.
It gets the latest evolution of iDrive based on BMW Operating System 8.5 and a redesigned instrument panel. There are also more paint colours to choose from, along with new alloy wheel designs.
Pricing and specification of the BMW M2 Coupé will be confirmed next month, with deliveries expected to commence in Q4.
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