The first 2023 BMW M2s to leave Mexico's San Luis Potos factory are set to arrive with owners in the United States this month, and while we aren't among them, a massive new photo dump is helping us decide which color we'd have selected if we were.
Over 230 photographs taken at a BMW event in Scottsdale, Arizona, show M2s in three possible colors tearing over beautiful rural roads. The Brooklyn Grey and Zandvoort Blue vehicles come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while the Toronto Red coupe has an eight-speed automatic transmission. According to BMW, manual automobiles can reach 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.1 seconds, while automatic cars can accomplish the same in 3.9 seconds.
All three vehicles include the optional M Carbon composite bucket seats. All are powered by the same 453 horsepower (460 PS) turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six developed from the S58 power plant used in the non-Competition M3 and M4. However, unlike those vehicles, which may be selected with rear- or xDrive all-wheel drive (the Comp cars are AWD-only), the M2 only sends 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) to the rear wheels.
These photographs do little to change our opinions regarding M2's aesthetics. The tiny M vehicle has a lot of presence but could be more attractive. Those broad fender flares are unique, but the massive boxy structures on the front and back bumpers are a little too much. The stylistic upgrades over the M240i are at least practical, directing air to the cooling system and brakes and allowing BMW engineers to cover a greater track width, which improves handling.
The M2 is the final non-electrified BMW M vehicle since all future M vehicles will be either mild- or full-hybrid or pure EVs. That alone would be incentive enough to get one. But consider this: $63,195. That's the starting price for the M2, including destination, and although it's still a significant investment for most people (and $11,300 more than the auto-only M240i xDrive), it's about $15,000 cheaper than the cheapest new M4.
