Pocket Rocket: 2024 BMW M2 unleashed; starts at PHP 5.99M

All-new BMW M2 sports coupe revealed in Pure and Carbon variants

Looking to get that adrenaline rush behind the wheel of a high-performance coupe, but feel that the BMW M4 is too big? Fret no more as BMW distributor SMC Asia Cars Distributors Corp has unveiled its latest two-door 2+2 pocket rocket.

Making its presence felt in the Philippines is the all-new 2024 BMW M2, and it's raring to hit the open road. Serving as the brand’s final pure combustion M car, the next-generation M2 sticks to the tried-and-tested internal combustion engine that’s complemented by a lightweight body, agile handling, and a throaty exhaust note.

At the heart of the all-new M2 is a beast of a six-cylinder engine. It has a high-revving 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six dubbed the S58 which is derived from the M3 and M4 models. It generates a healthy 460 PS which is 90 PS more than its predecessor along with a hefty 550 Nm of torque available. Peak torque is available from 2650 to 5870 rpm with maximum output available at 6250 rpm. The new engine can also rev up to 7,200 rpm and is complemented by an M-specific exhaust system with electronically controlled flaps.

Power goes to an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. BMW says the M2 can rocket itself to 100 km/h from a standstill in a mere 4.3 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h in the M2 Pure. However, the M2 Carbon gets the M Driver’s Package which kicks up the top speed to a hair-raising 290 km/h.

Complementing the high-revving inline-six is a sophisticated chassis and a suspension dialed for precise handling. With a short wheelbase and compact size, BMW claims the all-new M2 delivers 50:50 weight distribution. Add to that the excellent torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis mountings, and the next-gen M2 delivers surgical handling.

Both the double-joint spring strut front axle and the five-link rear axle come with M-specific kinematics. It also has a new adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including M Dynamic Mode.

Going fast also means having the ability to slow down as quickly as possible. The all-new M2 is fitted with powerful M Compound brakes with six-piston fixed caliper brakes at the front and single-piston floating caliper brakes at the rear. The integrated braking system even gives the driver two pedal feel settings to make the driving dynamics unique for every wheelman.

The athletic design of the 2024 M2 harkens back to the classic BMW 2002 Turbo and the classic long hood and short deck design of classic coupes and GTs. It gets 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels at the front while the rear sits on bigger 20-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the front fascia gets a frameless kidney grille along with horizontal bars and a three-section lower air intake with almost rectangular contours that give the M2 its distinct BMW M appearance.

Other key highlights on the M2’s exterior include; flared side skirts, muscular wheel arches, a bold rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, quad exhausts, a ducktail spoiler on the trunk, and the signature M2 taillights that will give onlookers a sight to behold. Size-wise, the M2 now measures 4580 mm long, 1887 mm wide, and 1403 mm tall.

Hop inside and the 2024 BMW M2 greets the occupants with the brand’s signature Live Cockpit Plus. This means a pair of displays that rise from the dashboard - a 12.3-inch digital cluster with M-specific widgets and a 14.9-inch control display. Both the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant form part of the latest-generation BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it has been purpose-designed for intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle using touch control and natural language. In addition, it gets Apple CarPlay & Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

Other key highlights present inside the all-new M2 include sport seats with Sensatec/Alcantara surfaces for the M2 Pure, M Carbon bucket seats that make use of CFRP that shed around 10.8 kg of weight, three-zone automatic climate control, BMW Maps Navigation, LED ambient lighting, and a Hi-Fi sound system for the M2 Pure (Harman Kardon for the M2 Carbon).

The 2024 BMW M2 is available in either Pure or Carbon variants and both are covered by the brand’s comprehensive 5-year/200,000 km warranty.

2024 BMW M2 Pure - PHP 5.99 million

2024 BMW M2 Carbon - PHP 8.89 million