the new 2023 BMW M2 promises to be a handful, but it has some big shoes to fill. The 2021 BMW M2 Competition built on years of development since 2016, resulting in an attractive, fast and, most importantly, funny car. So how does the beloved 2021 BMW M2 compare to the restyled newcomer 2023 BMW M2?
How much horsepower does the 2021 BMW M2 have?
The 2021 BMW M2 Competition produces 405 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. That’s a far cry from the 2016 M2’s N55-derived inline six and its 365 horsepower. However, it’s enough to send baby Bimmer skidding around corners in a cloud of tire smoke. Unsurprisingly though, the latest addition to the M2 family is the most powerful yet.
The 2023 BMW M2 produces 453 horsepower from its S58 engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. Plus, the new car makes the same 406 pound-feet of torque as the previous M2. Better yet, the 2021 and 2023 cars channel their ponies with a six-speed transmission. manual transmission or an optional automatic. However, the new vehicle ditches the seven-speed dual-clutch in favor of an eight-speed unit.
Is the 2021 BMW M2 fast?
Surprisingly, BMW says that the new 2023 M2 is quite similar in a straight line to the 2021 BMW M2 Competition. car and driver says the 2021 BMW M2 Competition with a manual transmission hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, and the automatic version will do it in 4.1. By contrast, BMW says the new 2023 coupe will hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the eight-speed automatic and 4.0 seconds with the manual.
Despite the power difference, the cars are very similar contenders. Of course, BMW has not announced a CS o Competition version of the 2023 M2.
How much does the new 2023 M2 cost?
The upcoming 2023 M2 starts at $63,195, which seems like a tough sell for the small M car. However, the M3, the next M in the lineup, starts a bit higher at $73,795. Still, the newer, wider, heavier M2 costs more than the car it replaces. Specifically, the 2021 BMW M2 Competition started at around $59,895.
Unfortunately, if you want an older Baby Bimmer instead of the new one, you may not be saving money. Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB) says the average used purchase price for a 2021 M2 is around $62,208. However, that is not surprising; M cars tend to be more collectible and sought after than non-M vehicles.
Should you buy a 2021 BMW M2 or wait for a 2023 M2?
While the cars share a nameplate, they are different inside and out. If you want a newer, more powerful, but also more strikingly styled M2, buy the new car in the spring of next year. However, you can’t go wrong with the older M car if you want an equally fast M car with a calmer appearance. One thing is for sure: both are more pleasing to the eye than some of the modern kidney grid controversial cars.
Scroll down to the next article to read more about sports coupes like the M2!
