It howls, it whines, it slides: the 2027 BMW M2 is a pure, unadulterated Bavarian Muscle Car

Overview

Small, powerful, enthusiast-oriented coupes are an endangered species in the current automotive zeitgeist, but the BMW M2 is fighting back against the waves of change. With a remarkably agile rear-wheel drive chassis, a six-speed manual transmission and a heady 473bhp twin-turbo six-cylinder, the M2 lives up to BMW’s famous ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ slogan better than most of the company’s current products.

Even in its relentless pursuit of performance, the M2’s overall demeanor is civilized enough to enjoy on a daily basis. However, the small proportions limit rear seat and cargo space. While the standard model is lively enough for most power-hungry fanatics, the CS version steps up the performance even further with a lower curb weight, an increased output of 523 hp and a host of other track-focused upgrades.

Expert tip: Rear seats and cargo space are the M2’s biggest limitations, and that goes for the Acura as well Integra Type S is not nearly as fast, but much more practical with its four doors, ample rear seat space and hatchback body style.

What’s new for 2027?

We expect the M2 to shoot head and shoulders ahead in 2027 without any significant changes.

Prices and which ones to buy

Previously, choosing the M2 with the standard six-speed manual transmission and the M Driver’s package was an easy decision. But with the M2 CS in the picture, buyers will have to assess their individual situation. If performance and track days are the primary goals, the M2 CS is the best choice. But if your plans are the same as ours, with lots of winding roads with long sweepers and daily commutes mixed in with your track day events, we’d stick with the basic M2 and the drive-your-own manual. It’s very quick in the performance department and starts at over $30,000 less than the CS.

Engine, transmission and performance

• Engine: 473 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (M2), 523 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (M2 CS)
• Transmissions: Six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic
• Powertrain: Rear-wheel drive

The base M2 is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six making 473 horsepower; Torque is over 406 pound-feet for the manual, but the automatic gets a little muscle love with 443 pound-feet of torque. It’s a nice bonus, but we believe that self-shifting is a worthy trade-off for the reduction in low-end torque.

The M2 CS uses the same base engine, but increases power to 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, all sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, it wouldn’t be an M car without a special track-tuned suspension and several other chassis improvements that make it the fastest version of the 2 Series to lap a race track. The M2 CS has specific damper and spring rates and a 0.2 inch lower ride height. The result is that it rides stiffly, but not brutally.

While it was raining during our track drive of the M2 CSthe tighter body control and sharper reflexes were still visible. The CS feels more eager on turn-in than the standard car, and while it has stiffer suspension, it doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of ride quality. The standard M2 doesn’t lack power, but the CS’s extra 50 hp made it feel like an absolute rocket on the straights.

0-60 MPH times

• CD 60 mph test: 3.9 seconds (M2 manual), 3.5 seconds (M2 automatic). With so much power, the main thing keeping the M2 from accelerating faster is the need for more rear grip.

For comparison: While the BMW M2 is undoubtedly one of the fastest pocket rockets in the luxury sports compact segment, the Audi RS3 beats it to 60 mph at a time of 3.2 seconds per minute, largely because the all-wheel drive system offers more traction off the line.

Fuel economy and real MPG

• c/D Fuel consumption test on the highway at 120 km/h: 28 mpg (2023 M2 car)
• EPA city rating: 16mpg
• EPA Highway Rating: 23mpg

The EPA estimates the M2 to deliver 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, with a manual or automatic transmission. The CS model also has the same ratings. A 2023 M2 with the automatic returned 28 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, but that was before the M2’s power was increased by 20 horsepower for the 2025 model year. We wouldn’t be surprised if that cost the latest models an mpg or two. For more information on the M2’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, comfort and luggage

First row: Inside, the M2 has a similar layout to the regular 2 Series coupe. There’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel in a three-spoke design, and a new upholstery combination – black with red stitching – is offered. Opt for the Carbon package, and a layer of carbon fiber is draped across multiple surfaces of the M2’s cabin, and the sport seats are replaced with more aggressive, form-fitting buckets, which are said to save 24 pounds.

Second row: Passengers relegated to the rear may wish you had opted for the larger 3 Series sedan.

Loading capacity: In our testing, we fit five carry-on suitcases inside; with the rear seats folded down we managed to cram in a total of 14.

Infotainment and connectivity

• Infotainment: 14.9-inch touchscreen
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Audio system: Harman Kardon audio system with 14 speakers

A digital monolith of a screen moving across the dashboard informs the driver of every piece of data they might need (and probably a few things they don’t). A 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel serves as a reconfigurable instrument cluster and transitions seamlessly to a larger 14.9-inch touchscreen that provides access to BMW’s 8.5 proprietary operating system, the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system software.

The update also moves all climate control functions, including heated seats and – where specified – heated steering wheel, to the touchscreen, but these can also be controlled via voice commands. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; a head-up display and 5G connectivity are both optional.

Safety and driver assistance features

All M2s come with basic driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, but if you want more advanced technology like a stop-and-go function for the cruise control, you’ll have to pay extra.And choose the automatic transmission.

• Standard safety features: automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control

For information on the M2’s crash test results, please contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and maintenance coverage

Compared to its direct competitors, BMW has equal or better warranty coverage. Notably, it has an unparalleled, free scheduled maintenance program.

• Limited Warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles
• Free maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles

CD Test results and specifications

Every year we subject hundreds of vehicles to our rigorous, instrumented testing regime. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, it is because this vehicle has not changed since the last test and the test results remain accurate.

Specifications

Specifications

BMW M2 automatic from 2025
Vehicle type: front engine, rear wheel drive, 4 passengers, 2 door coupe

PRICE
Base/as tested: $66,675/$80,825

ENGINE
DOHC with twin turbocharger and intercooler, 24 valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 inches³2993 cm³
Power: 473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft at 2700 rpm

TRANSFER
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, front/rear: struts/multilink
Brakes, front/rear: 15.0 in. ventilated cross-drilled disc/14.6 in. ventilated cross-drilled disc
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★
R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Length: 180.3 inches
Width: 74.3 inches
Height: 55.2 inches
Passenger volume, F/R: 54/34 ft³
Trunk volume: 14 ft³
Curb weight: 3813 pounds

CD TEST RESULTS
100 km/h: 3.5 sec
160 km/h: 7.6 sec
1/4 mile: 11.6 sec at 200 km/h
210 km/h: 12.9 sec
240 km/h: 18.3 sec

The above results omit a 1 foot rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling start, 5-100 km/h: 4.3 sec
Top gear, 50-80 km/h: 2.4 sec
Top gear, 80-110 km/h: 2.8 sec
Top speed (mfr claim): 300 km/h
Braking, 110–0 km/h: 44 meters
Braking, 100–0 mph: 294 ft
Road holding, 90 meter skidpad: 1.02 g

CD FUEL CONSUMPTION
Observed: 21 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 19/16/23 mpg

CD TESTING EXPLAINED

2025 BMW M2 Manual
Vehicle type: front engine, rear wheel drive, 4 passengers, 2 door coupe

PRICE
Base/as tested: $66,675/$82,675

ENGINE
DOHC with twin turbocharger and intercooler, 24 valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 inches³2993cm³
Power: 473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft at 2650 rpm

TRANSFER
Six-speed manual transmission

CHASSIS
Suspension, front/rear: struts/multilink
Brakes, front/rear: 15.0 in. ventilated cross-drilled disc/14.6 in. ventilated cross-drilled disc
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★
R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Length: 180.3 inches
Width: 74.3 inches
Height: 55.2 inches
Passenger volume, F/R: 54/34 ft³
Trunk volume: 14 ft³
Curb weight: 3755 pounds

CD TEST RESULTS
100 km/h: 3.9 sec
160 km/h: 8.5 sec
1/4 mile: 12.1 sec at 120 mph
210 km/h: 14.1 sec
240 km/h: 20.3 sec
270 km/h: 30.9 sec

The above results show a 1-foot rollout of 0.3 sec. away.
Rolling start, 5-100 km/h: 4.8 sec
Top gear, 50-80 km/h: 8.0 sec
Top gear, 80-110 km/h: 7.3 sec
Top speed (mfr claim): 300 km/h
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Braking, 160–0 km/h: 90 meters
Road holding, 90 meters skidpad: 1.00 g

Interior noise
Idle: 53 dBA/8 sounds
Full throttle: 91 dBA
Cruising at 110 km/h: 75 dBA/33 sone

CD FUEL CONSUMPTION
Observed: 17 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 19/16/23 mpg

More features and specifications