BMW M2 Competition lifts performance and price
BY TUNG NGUYEN | 13th Aug 2018
BMW Group Australia has revealed pricing for its incoming M2 Competition 2 Series flagship, with the Australian-only Pure rising $6600 to $99,900 before on-roads, while upper-spec grade lifts $5000 to $104,900.
Available from October in top-spec form and early 2019 in Pure guise, the price rise is in line with a new S55 twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine – the same unit from the M3 and M4 Competition – that produces 302kW of power and 550Nm of torque, which replaces the outgoing M2’s N55 272kW/465Nm single-turbo in-line six.
Remaining stock of the non-Competition M2 sits at around 20 units.
Remaining stock of the non-Competition M2 sits at around 20 units.
The new M2 Competition still falls short of the M3/M4 Competition outputs by 29kW, but is significantly cheaper than its siblings that cost $146,900 and $156,900 respectively.
Peak power in the M2 Competition is available from 5250-7000rpm, while maximum torque is on tap from 2350-5200rpm, which is sent to the rear axle via a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (a no-cost option).
Zero to 100km/h in the automatic-equipped model is dispatched in 4.2 seconds, 0.1s faster than before, but no acceleration time has been divulged for the three-pedal version that could hit the landmark speed in 4.5s in outgoing form.
BMW has lifted the cooling system from the M4 Competition that has 20 per cent more chill than before, while the oil supply has also been upgraded with an additional sump cover, as well as a reworked extraction pump and return system.
A bespoke bi-modal exhaust system is also fitted with four outlets finished in black chrome.
As GoAuto previously reported, other mechanical goodies on the M2 Competition include an electro-mechanical power steering unit, Active M Differential, Dynamic Stability Control systems, and M Compound brakes with 380mm perforated discs and four-piston callipers up front and 370mm discs and two-put grabbers in the rear.
As an option, buyers can also spec the brakes up to 400mm front and 380mm rear discs with six- and four-piston callipers respectively.
Lightweight 19-inch wheels are also fitted to the M2 Competition, which are shod in 245/35 and 265/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres front and rear.
Three different drive modes are on offer that include Comfort, Sport and Sport+ which adjusts exhaust noise, automatic transmission shifting characteristics (where applicable), suspension set-up and throttle response.
From the outside the M2 Competition is differentiated from its predecessor by a redesigned front splitter for optimised air flow, Shadow Line black kidney grilles and front fender strakes, ‘double arm’ design side mirrors, and model-specific badging.
M2 Competition Pure grades sport manually adjustable seats with illuminated headrests, M seatbelts, bi-LED headlights, remote central locking and front parking sensors.
The more expensive M2 Competition gains grade-specific sill plates, Dakota leather and Alcantara swathed electronically adjustable seats with black and blue contrast stitching, adaptive LED headlights, 12-speaker Harman/kardon sound system, and rear parking sensors, as well as an 8.8-inch iDrive6 infotainment touchscreen with digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and USB input.
Safety equipment fitted to the M2 Competition includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning and speed limit information.
BMW Group Australia’s new CEO Vikram Pawah – who replaced Marc Werner last month – said the new M2 Competition Pure is expected to continue the nameplate’s success Down Under thanks to its sub-$100,000 pricetag.
“The BMW M2 has been a wonderful story for BMW in Australia,” he said. “We expect the first ever M2 Competition to deliver even greater all-round performance. And with the Pure variant, we continue to offer a proper M experience at a strong price point.”
2018 BMW M2 Competition pricing*
| Competition Pure (a) | $99,900 |
| Competition (a) | $104,900 |
*Excludes on-road costs
