2024 BMW M2 Coupe

　　

2024 BMW M2 Review

byJosh JacquotCorrespondent

　　Josh Jacquot is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　The 2024 M2 is a high-performance rear-wheel-drive coupe based on the two-door 2 Series. It gets the typical M division upgrades including an overachieving engine, more powerful brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and your choice of a manual or automatic transmission. In the latest iteration introduced last year, BMW addressed some of the complaints leveled against the original M2, not that there were many. An adaptive suspension and a longer wheelbase combine to provide a smoother ride, while the interior gets modernized with BMW's latest dual-screen display for the infotainment system and instrument panel.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Rapid and more advanced, but at the cost of purity

If you're considering the new M2 for its textbook hot-rod appeal you can relax: It's still got it. It remains a car with a big engine in a small chassis fortified with massive sticky rubber and a modicum of practicality. But if you're here because you're chasing the purest rear-drive platform, this M2 may not be the hot rod you're after. It's bigger and heavier and arguably less attractive than the M2 it replaced last year. Yes, it counters the added mass with 48 more ponies. But adding both weight and power dilutes the purity of a car that was, from its outset, intended to be a focused driving tool. We're still impressed with the new M2. But we will miss the slim and riotous demeanor of the original.

　　

Competitors to consider

The M2 exists in a unique market position. It's not as expensive or as high-performing as a Chevy Corvette or Porsche 911, yet it's distinctly more upscale than a Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro, which offer similar performance for less cost. The 401-hp Audi RS 3 is perhaps the M2's closest rival on price and performance alone. We'd call all of these cars competitors, though your opinion could vary depending on your budget and how you view the M2. Perhaps the M2 hits your sweet spot.

　　

Which M2 does zzdcar recommend?

Anything you add to the M2 will be gravy on an already fully equipped sport/luxury car, but there is at least one choice that will make daily life better for only minor cost. We'd add the wireless smartphone charging pad, a $200 option that you'll use nearly every time you're behind the wheel. Your hardest decision might come down to which transmission to get. The manual is more engaging and the purist's choice, but the automatic is better for daily driving and no-fuss acceleration.

　　

BMW M2 models

The 2024 BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the luxury automaker's entry-level 2 Series coupe. Under the hood of this rear-wheel-drive two-door is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an eight-speed automatic is available as a no-cost option. The M2 comes in a single well-equipped trim level, though a number of equipment packages and stand-alone options are available. Keep reading for our breakdown of the M2's standard and optional features.

　　M2

　　Comes standard with:

　　19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels with summer performance tires M Sport (electronically controlled) rear differential Adaptive suspension dampers (help improve ride comfort and handling stability) Sport exhaust Sunroof LED headlights Keyless entry and ignition Auto-dimming mirrors Ambient lighting Dual-zone climate control Power-adjustable front sport seats with heating Leather upholstery 14.9-inch touchscreen Navigation system Harman Kardon audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrationStandard advanced driver aids include:

　　Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Optional equipment packages and add-ons include:

　　M Driver's package M2's speed limit is increased from 155 mph to 177 mph A day at a high-performance driving school Carbon package Carbon-fiber roof Black wheels Carbon-fiber interior trim M Driver's package Lighting package Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Automatic high-beam control Shadowline package Black exhaust tips and headlight accents Remote engine start (automatic only) Heated steering wheel Carbon-fiber roof Carbon-fiber interior trim Wireless smartphone charging pad Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front; automatic transmission only) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot while the driver controls acceleration and braking) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

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