2023 BMW M2: Australian pricing and design review

UPDATE: Australian first look at BMW HQ

The new 2023 BMW M2 is here in Australia, and we've had a proper up-close look at its styling and features. Check out the video below, and keep reading further down for more details about M division's hero 'small' coupe.

OCTOBER 2022: BMW M2 pricing revealed

The 2023 BMW M2 will cost $30,000 more than the original high-performance coupe when it goes on sale locally in the first half of next year.

BMW Australia has confirmed a $119,900 starting price for the second-generation M2 that was globally revealed today.

It’s a rise of $17,000 over the M2 Competition manual available in 2021, though an eight-speed auto is a no-cost alternative to the standard six-speed manual for the new model. There’s a $10,000 increase when comparing self-shifting models.

The transmissions team up with a revised version of the M3/M4’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, feeding the rear wheels only.

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The M2 slots in to retake its natural position as the flagship of the 2 Series Coupe range, priced well above the former top model, the $91,900 M240i xDrive.

Despite the price rise, it also remains significantly more attainable than the M4 coupe that costs from $158,500 in regular guise or from $168,500 in faster Competition form.

The rival Porsche Cayman starts from $122,000.

Australian M2 models will feature a carbon-fibre roof as standard, a feature previously offered only on the M3 and is an option in other markets such as the UK.

BMW says the lightweight roof saves six kilograms, lowering the M2’s centre of gravity.

From March production, BMW Australia says the M2 will be available with M 50 Year badging that celebrates the performance division’s anniversary this year.

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Other standard equipment for the 2023 BMW M2 includes:

Chassis and Exterior

• Staggered M light alloy wheels: 19-inch front, 20-inch rear (with Jet Black or bicolour rims)
• Active M Differential
• Adaptive LED headlights with auto high beam
• Adaptive M Suspension
• M Compound Brake high-performance brakes (blue but also available with red high-gloss callipers)
• Metallic paintwork

Cabin technology

• Head-Up Display
• 12.3-inch digital driver display
• 14.9-inch infotainment display
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Comfort Access system (BMW Digital Key for 8-speed auto)
• Connected Package Professional
• Digital radio
• Driving Assistant
• Adaptive cruise control (replaced with cruise control with braking function for manual models)
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

Cabin comfort and trim

• 3-zone climate control
• Leather ‘Vernasca’ upholstery
• M Sport front seats with electric adjust, heating, and lumbar support
• Heated steering wheel
• M ‘Carbon Fibre’ package (includes CFRP inserts in steering wheel and CFRP gearshift paddles on steering wheel)
• M high-gloss Shadowline with extended contents
• M interior trim finishers Carbon Fibre
• M Lights Shadowline
• M seat belts
• Inclusive paint finishes comprise non-metallic Alpine White and M Zandvoort Blue, and
• Black Sapphire, M Toronto Red and M Brooklyn Grey metallics.

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A $14,500 M Carbon Experience package is aimed at buyers serious about track days. It introduces M Carbon bucket seats up front that are claimed to save 10.8kg over the standard seats, adds a removable headrest cover for extra crash helmet space, and introduces various cut-outs to allow for multi-point seatbelts.

The upholstery also switches to ‘Merino’ leather, there are vouches for BMW Driving Experience courses, and the M2’s top speed increases from 250km/h to 285km/h.

BMW says it has sold more than 60,000 examples of the M2 since its 2015 release, with more than 2600 M2s sold in Australia since its arrival in 2016 - when it was priced from $89,900.

One in five BMW models sold in Australia is an M performance model.