BMW Australia have revealed specifics for the revised range of M2 performance coupes, bringing the LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) treatment to the rave-worthy baby M car, undoubtedly their most popular performance car locally and possibly abroad.
The styling has gone through some minor alterations but none will have impaired any recognition, there’s a new hexagonal light signature wherein adaptive LEDs have been added as a standard feature to replace the outgoing model year’s bi-xenons, complementing the LED daytime running lights.
The rear lamps have also gone through some changes, now featuring a full-LED single-piece L-shape that helps accentuate the car’s widened stance. Apart from these, though, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any changes at all, at least on the outside.
However, there are some newness to be enjoyed once inside. Like all BMWs updated for 2018, like the 2 Series and 1 Series recently, the M2 receives the newest infotainment and vehicle control interface, iDrive 6, as standard, boasting a touch-sensitive 8.8-inch high-resolution display mounted in the centre of the dash.
There are smaller touches too, informed by buyer feedback: such as the wiper and indicator stalks being redesigned to ‘snap’ into a locked position. It’s a change that, while seemingly small, should save a lot of frustration as its a function accessed many times during an average journey.
Elsewhere, and keeping within the cabin, there’s Dakota leather upholstery, carbon fibre trim finishers, and a BMW Individual roofliner in Anthracite. Those features do come as standard on the less-expensive M2 Pure, but stepping up to the ‘proper’ M2 adds Comfort Access (keyless entry), electric seat adjustment, BMW Selective Beam, and a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
Under the bonnet, the M55 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine is unchanged, generating 272kW and 465Nm (overboost to 500Nm in brief bursts) in either variant, sent to the rear wheels by a 7-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic (a 6-speed manual can be had as a no-cost option) and an electronically-controlled Active M Differential.
Naturally, the lightning shifts in the dual-clutch unit make possible a 4.3 second sprint time from rest to 100km/h. Meanwhile, should skill and circumstance align, the manual is claimed to achieve that same feat in 4.5 seconds. The M-DCT is also more fuel efficient, claiming to sip 7.9-litres/100km on a combined cycle instead of the MT’s 8.5.
- 2018 BMW M2 Pure - $93,300
- 2018 BMW M2 - $99,900
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