TRACK- AND ROAD-WORTHY M2 IS A FEISTY DRIVE!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com

This one will be a good fit on the track! Then, perhaps it can cruise the highway too! That’s right, the BMW M2 high-performance sport coupe is road and track worthy! The Bimmer is super-fast: 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds with top speed of 155 mph! For 2023, the German carmaker has boosted the length by 4.1, width by 1.3, wheelbase by 2.1 and the speedster is 0.3 inches lower than its predecessor.

Power is derived from a 3.0-liter twin-power turbo inline-6 cylinder gas engine that blasts off 453 horsepower @ 6250 rpm and 406 pounds-feet of torque @ 5870 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed manual or a flawless 8-speed auto gearbox, which is even more fun with moves via the steering paddle shifters. The standard adaptive M suspension is specially tuned to enhance nimbleness and poise when pushing pedal to the metal. Active M Differential distributes drive torque evenly to the rear axle for more control and stability. You can personalize settings for engine, chassis, steering and braking as per your taste, style, liking! Furthermore, the M traction control has a 10-point choice! And the M Servotronic electric power steering with variable sport conveys a solid and communicative feel, keeping the M2 straight and watchful at sharp turns and curves.

Up front, it’s got the look, the horizontal one! Portraying a long hood with short overhangs, the wide, frameless twin-kidney grille is encircled by contoured LED headlights while M sport brakes, blue (or red) calipers and the M logo grab attention. As do the M double-spoke light alloy wheels in jet-black trim. Step into the well-appointed cabin and there are only oohs … and more aahs … for this incredibly energetic ride. BMW’s new iDrive 8 operating system is a huge, curved one-piece display of a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver. Forget the ancient analog devices once and for all as high-tech is now space-age! Go for the lighter carbon roof ($2,600 extra) instead of the moon roof. Further adding to the rich ambiance are touches of optional carbon fiber trim and anthracite headliner. Red accents for the M buttons on the robust three-spoke leather steering wheel and gear selector are a standout too. Other niceties include dual-zone auto a/c, power front heated black Vernasca leather seats with M logo on the headrest and a 40/20/40 rear seat.

Dual front and side airbags, front knee and side curtain airbags are standard along with dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution, rearview camera, front/rear park distance control, active driving assist (lane departure warning, blind spot monitor/detect, rear-cross traffic alert, city collision mitigation), forward collision warning, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitor are standard.

Looking for some vim and vigor in a rear-wheel-drive car? Then the M2 fits the bill. It’s German engineering at the finest. And fastest. OK, not Bugatti speed! And every once, if you can, take the quick machine on the racetrack for a spirited spin!

M2

Tires: P275/35ZR19 front; 285/30ZR20 rear

Wheelbase: 108.1 inches

Length: 180.3 inches

Width: 74.3 inches

Height: 55.2 inches

Fuel capacity: 13.7 gallons

Mileage: 18 city, 23 highway

Weight: 3,814 pounds

Base price: $62,200

Price as tested: $69,695

Web site: www.bmw.com