BMW gets extra side order of tasty M2s

BMW Australia has pulled strings in Munich to secure an extra allocation of 100 M2s for Australian customers, helping to ease the waiting list for the in-demand pocket rocket.

With the first allocation of 300 units already spoken for in the first month since launch in April, BMW Australia chief executive officer Marc Werner went in to bat for frustrated Australian customers facing a long delay – well out into 2017 – for their dream coupe.

The result is a 33 per cent increase in deliveries of the M2 – the most affordable M machine in the BMW range – with most of the extra vehicles from August production expected to arrive before the end of the year.

However, the extra delivery is expected to provide only temporary relief for potential M2 buyers, as the queue continues to grow for one of the most success new BMW models for some time.

Mr Werner said the M2 had enjoyed extremely positive reviews since its media launch at Targa Tasmania, along with success on the showroom floor.

“Securing these additional vehicles – a supply increase of up to 33 per cent – is a huge achievement for BMW Australia and reflects strong support from the global BMW family,” he said.

“We’re delighted to be able to respond to Australian customer and market demand so quickly with these extra vehicles.”

Australia has one of the highest proportion of M-vehicle sales in the world, trailing only South Africa.

Last month, the BMW 2 Series achieved 185 sales, a rise of 37 per cent over the same month last year, and neck-and-neck with the other in-demand new sportscar, the Mazda MX5.

BMW Australia general manager of corporate communications Lenore Fletcher said the company had been “over the moon” with demand for the M2, which showed no sign of waning.

Ms Fletcher explained that sportscar sales tended to peak early and then decline, but the indications for the M2 were that demand could be much more sustained.

The new allocation will be split between the manual-only M2 Pure at the regular price of $89,900 plus on-road costs and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic M2 at $98,900.

Powered by a 272kW turbocharged six-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels, the M2 coupe is a unique proposition among German cars, with similar-sized Mercedes-AMG and Audi high-performance hatchbacks fitted with turbo four-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive.

However, the Mercedes A45 and Audi RS3 are more affordable, at $77,990 plus on-road costs and $78,900 respectively.