Updated BMW M2 arrives with higher pricetag

BMW Australia has detailed the refreshed version of its M2 coupe that sprints into showrooms in September, with the popular sportscar range gaining new LED headlights and an iDrive 6 infotainment system, prompting a higher starting price than before.

Available in six-speed manual-only M2 Pure and manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic M2 specification, the former now cops a $2800 price hike to $93,300, while the latter remains at $99,900 (both excluding on-road costs).

A new lighting signature front and rear marks the only external change to the two-year-old M2, with twin-circular bi-LED headlights replacing bi-Xenons, and featuring a redesigned hexagonal-shaped daytime running light design.

The M2 Pure also gets variable light distribution with cornering lights for the first time, and the M2 makes a change from the previous up/down automatic high-beam function to adaptive high-beam that automatically blocks only the portion of light affecting forward or oncoming traffic when travelling at speed.

At the rear a new L-shaped bezel forms part of the new LED tail-lights of both BMW M2 model grades.

Inside the 8.8-inch colour display gains touchscreen functionality along with what BMW calls a new “tiled interface” consisting of vertical Media/Radio, Phone and Navigation vertical strips as part of the upgraded iDrive 6 system.

New “natural” voice recognition – which permits the driver to simply say ‘I feel like pizza’ and the navigation will find the closest pizza shops on the drive route – and a touchpad atop the rotary centre console controller have also been added.

While there have been minor interior trim updates, including new carbon-fibre insert surfacing and piano-black centre stack surrounds, standard specification and equipment otherwise remains unchanged on both M2 Pure and M2 versions.

The M2 Pure includes 19-inch alloy wheels, M rear spoiler, quad exhaust pipes, forward collision and pedestrian detection warnings with low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure alert, Dakota leather trim, dual-zone climate control, seven-speaker audio and infotainment with USB input, digital radio, satellite navigation and a reversing camera.

In addition to the new auto high-beam, the M2 further adds keyless entry, electrically adjustable front seats and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.

Both still use a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine producing 272kW of power at 6500rpm and 465Nm of torque from 1400rpm until 5650rpm, plus an overboost function that delivers 500Nm between 1450rpm and 4750rpm.

The automatic dubbed M DCT delivers 4.3-second 0-100km/h performance, two-tenths faster than the standard manual in the M2 Pure (and which continues as a no-cost-option in the top M2).

Fuel consumption remains rated at between 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (auto) and 8.5L/100km (manual).

Both also come with an electrically actuated mechanical locking rear differential called the Active M Differential, plus single-setting sports suspension, an M Dynamic Mode, and brakes and rear suspension components borrowed the larger BMW M4 coupe.

The BMW M2 has become the top-selling M-car in Australia, this year ousting the M3 that has long held the title.

“Since its 2016 introduction on the awesome Targa Tasmania roads, the BMW M2 has quickly established itself as an award winner,” said BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner in a statement.

“Now it is the best-selling BMW M vehicle in Australia for 2017. The M2 LCI further defines the vehicle’s premium attributes while ensuring the motorsport-derived driving experience remains at the core.”

According to VFACTS sales figures, in the first half of 2017 a total of 281 M2s were sold – up 144.3 per cent year-to-date and 57 sales ahead of the M3, which fell 15.2 per cent over the period.

The M4 coupe (121, down 30.1%), M4 Convertible (26, down 33.3%) and M4 GTS (19) did, however, leave the medium-sized M cars more popular overall.

If the M2 can maintain momentum, its full-year 2017 tally should land at about 560 sales, well above the (supply-constrained) 390-unit total last year. While BMW Australia has cautioned that supply has only been increased to 550 units this year, it said there would be potential for the small coupe to sell in even greater numbers.

2017 BMW M2 pricing*

M2 Pure	$93,300
M2	$99,900
M2 (a)	$99,900

*Excludes on-road costs