The current generation of BMW M3’s and M4’s are known for a lot of things. Great performance is definitely one of them. Large and not unanimously loved twin front kidney grille is another. We’re sure the all-new second generation 2023 BMW M2 is going to be known for its incredible handling and performance too. But it’s not likely to suffer the same fate regarding its front grille. BMW have chosen to go with a less in your face front end for their smallest yet potent performance coupe.

What you do get with the gen two M2 is 48 more horsepower, now up to 453 hp at 6,250 rpm, the same amount of torque as its predecessor, 406 lb/ft between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm, a 7,200 rpm redline, rear-wheel drive and a 6 speed manual transmission. An 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic is also available.

How fast will this new BMW M2 go with its 2,993 cc M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine? It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds with the automatic transmission and 4.1 seconds when using the manual. 0-100 km/h takes 4.3 seconds for the manual and 4.1 seconds for the automatic. Top Speed is limited to 155 mph/250 km/h, or 177 mph/285 km/h when equipped with the M Driver’s Package.

The 2023 M2 is wider, longer and lower than the M2 it replaces. Overall it is 4 inches/104 mm longer, 1.25 inches/33 mm wider, and a quarter of an inch lower/7 mm. Its 108 inch/2747 mm wheelbase is 4.3 inches/110 mm shorter than the M4 but 2 inches/54 mm longer than the previous M2. The new M2’s track widths have increased by 1.5 inches/38 mm to 63.6 inches/1617 up front and 0.15 inches/4 mm to 63.2 inches/1605 mm at the rear, the same as the M4. The net result is that the new M2 looks wider, meaner and more performance focused that ever.

For the first time, the M2 gets staggered wheel sizes with 19-inch rims up front and 20-inch in the rear. The exclusively-designed M double-spoke light-alloy wheels are fitted with 275/35 ZR19 and 285/30 ZR20 tires.

The 2023 M2 has new M Sport seats with bigger side bolsters, Vernasca leather with perforated surfaces and an illuminated M logo in the headrest. For the first time, the M2 can be ordered with more track focused M Carbon bucket seats which is part of the optional Carbon Package. Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic makes the M Carbon seats 24 pounds/11 kg lighter than the standard M Sport seats.

Roof options include a power tilt and sliding glass moonroof, which is 20 percent bigger than the previous moonroof, or a weight-reducing M Carbon roof panel.

The new M2 is equipped with M Drive Professional with TRACK mode which is intended for track use as it fully deactivates the assistance systems. M Drive Professional also has M Laptimer and M Drift Analyzer. The BMW Curved Display has a 12.3-inch information display, 14.9-inch control display and is angled towards the driver.

The new M2 will be built at BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. It will be launched in Canada in Q2 2023 with a base price starting at $76,500 CAD. Exterior colours include Toronto Red, Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Grey and exclusive to the M2, new Zandvoort Blue.