BMW M2 - Manual Brilliance
The G87 M2 is here, and it's a car worthy of praise for several reasons, including a powerful 450HP and 550Nm of torque and an exclusively rear-wheel-drive powertrain. However, the most significant cause for celebration is the option of a good old-fashioned six-speed manual gearbox, which is especially significant considering this may be the last manual M car ever to be produced.
Ten to Fifteen years ago, a motoring publication making a song and dance of a manual gearbox in an M car would have been akin to the Michelin guide praising a restaurant for serving an after-dinner mint. These days, things are different. In the UK, aside from the new M2, the total number of M cars offered with anything other than an automatic gearbox is a grand total of zero.
I've expressed my disdain for the ZF8 gearbox in M cars a few times already, not because it's a lousy gearbox by any means, but because it's just not very 'M' compared to the SMG and DCT paddle shift predecessors. In my personal opinion, the softer and more sensible ZF8 boxes don't quite cut the mustard for what should be the benchmark in performance road cars.
When BMW announced it would be offering the latest M2 with a manual gearbox option, it was such big news that it even started speculative comments from some media outlets asking if there was any point in offering it. Is anyone really that fussed? And surely, it wouldn't be a feature that would warrant an increased price, would it? Well, as it turns out, there is a point to it. Yes, people are fussed, and yes, it would come at an extra cost, too.
At a glance: BMW M2 (G87) 2023 | Engine: 3.0L Turbocharged inline 6 (S58). Power: 453HP / 550Nm. 0-62: 4.2 seconds. Top Speed 155MPH or 180MPH with M Performance Package purchased. Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive. OTR Price: from £65,830. Price as tested (with options): £70,410.00
For just under £66k, the new M2 features a substantial list of accessories included as standard on the car, such as M Sport Differential, M Adaptive Suspension, a carbon fibre roof, sports seats, cruise control, adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist, Harman Kardon sound system, head-up display and black Shadowline external trim.
The optional extra package choices are comprehensive, too, and the press car I've got has the best selection ticked. The M Track Package gives double-spoke alloy wheels, performance tyres and bucket seats. Both are great features, but the seats deserve particular praise. The comfort is sublime without compromising performance. The M Drivers Pack is included by proxy with the M Race Track Pack and removes the speed limiter, granting a top speed of 180MPH. The Comfort Package unlocks a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and additional accessories such as welcome lighting, wireless phone charging and NFC connectivity, which allows you to unlock and start the car with a compatible smartphone. The manual gearbox is priced at £545 as an upgrade from the ZF8 gearbox, which is otherwise supplied as standard.
Having spent seven days with the manual G87 M2, I can confirm it is worth every penny of the £545 extra price tag. Without it, I'm almost certain I'd feel quite differently about the car overall.
Once out onto some familiar, fun roads, everything quickly makes sense. The car's driving position and intuitive feel are brilliantly familiar, keeping with typical BMW M traditions. At 1700 kilos, the M2 feels light and agile even through complex corners and undulations. It is effortless to drive dynamically, and the new car has lost some of the spikey characteristics present in the previous F87 iteration. On paper, over 450HP suggests that the M2 might be unnecessarily overpowered; however, it's anything but. The more predictable and compliant chassis offers a safety blanket for pushing the limits, and the variable levels of traction control are on hand to keep any unexpected events in check.
The G87 chassis is based on the shared M3/M4 platform, which aids with the softer and more compliant feel. There is no unnecessary firmness to the ride until desired and switched to SPORT or SPORT PLUS. For me, COMFORT suits the G87 in all environments.
My sweet spot for M driver settings is consistent with other M models with the engine in SPORT PLUS, chassis and steering set to COMFORT, and brake feel to SPORT. The steering can feel a touch numb due to the electronically assisted power steering, but it doesn't take long to tune into.
The familiarity and practicality of a new small M car fit for every occasion is what makes the new car so special. Rear legroom is usable at a squeeze but is better suited to shorter journeys. Boot space is ample at 390 litres, and there is the option to fold the rear seats if needed.
In my week with the new M2, I found very little to moan about. The new standard for all modern cars is an audible alert system when exceeding the speed limit. The alert isn't the annoying part; it's the process of turning it off. Historically, BMWs have featured a simple go-to physical button on the dashboard, allowing the ability to quickly alter safety settings and alerts. This feature has now been buried within the driver modes and setups, making what was once a quick button push at a glance more of a stop, scroll, and fiddle through the settings. And much like all other new cars, the process is needed every time the vehicle is switched off and on again.
The G87 M2 is a welcome modern take on what is, for many, the golden era of modern BMW M cars. The E46 M3 and E39 M5 models were millennial hits thanks to their 'do it all' abilities. The hero cars from the turn of the millennium were sporty and engaging while on a fast road or circuit and comfortable and sensible for a drive to the office or jaunt along a motorway. The new M2 steps into this role perfectly, making it the ideal everything car. The M2 feels special to drive in all environments, and the icing on the cake is undoubtedly thanks to an extra level of engagement provided by three pedals and a 6-speed gearbox.
words: John Marcar
pictures: Henry Faulkner-Smith
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