With the BMW M2 Competition set to arrive in September, BMW South Africa has finally released pricing for the early awaited sports coupe.
Because the M2 Competition is a deemed a true drivers car, BMW will make it available with a choice of two transmissions – the manual costing R983 030, and the dual clutch ‘automatic’ priced at R1 037 506.
The Competition sports a revised front bumper for added cooling, and larger kidneys (now a single piece) in gloss black. At the back there's a new diffuser too, after all it is based on the 2 Series LCI. And finally, the much loved M mirrors finally adorn the fiery 2 Series. But while retaining the same body, similar styling, rear wheel drive, and a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed M DCT transmissions, BMW’s M engineers focused primarily on performance in the new model.
And that came in the form of the BMW M4's S55 3.0-litre twin-turbo 6 cylinder motor. In the M2 Competition, BMW M has binned the 272kw N55 single-turbo motor in favour of a detuned version of the S55, which sees power reach now 302kw. The M2's wide 550nm torque power band can rush the coupe to 100kph in just 4.2seconds when equipped with the M DCT transmission, while the manual variant is 0.2 slower. As before, it will be electronically limited to 250kph, or 280kph with the optional M Driver’s Package.
In order to accommodate the new engine, the M2 Competition has the same cooling system as the M4 Competition Package. It includes a central radiator, two side radiators and an additional engine oil cooler. Models with the M DCT also receive a transmission oil cooler. There’s also a new, high-precision CFRP strut and bulkhead strut, to increase the rigidity of the front end, much like the M4.
To compliment all the go, BMW added more stopping power to the M2 Competition, using 400 mm diameter discs with the 6-pot front brakes and 380 mm discs with the 4-pot rear brakes. Additional enhancements were made to the electromechanical power steering, Active M Differential, and the Dynamic Steering Control (DSC) system.
An added option are the M Sport bucket seats off the M4, and yes, it does have an illuminated M2 badge. The steering wheel has M1 and M2 buttons, as in the BMW M5, for recalling custom configurations. There’s also the usual M badging and extra trim, including M2 Competition badging along the door sills.
New body colours include Sunset Orange Metallic and Hockenheim Silver, the latter replacing last year’s Mineral Grey Metallic. While the M2 rides on new 19-inch forged wheels in a choice of black, high-sheen, and light high-sheen finishes.
