plenty of hints leaked out onto the internet earlier this year, but now we finally have the full, official details on the newest BMW M car: the M2 Competition. As expected, it’s a monster, with more of everything compared to the already beloved M2 coupe.
Starting underhood, there’s a lot more power. The biturbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine has more power: 405 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, gains of 40 hp and 63 lb-ft compared to the outgoing M2’s engine. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the M2 Competition will scurry to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, while opting for the seven-speed dual-clutch will dispatch with the benchmark in four seconds flat. That’s 0.1 second quicker, for both transmissions, than the outgoing M2. The top speed is still limited to 155 mph as standard, but now the optional M Driver’s package raises the limiter to 174, an improvement over the 2018 M2’s 168 mph.
BMW says that the engine’s cooling system is lifted from the larger, more powerful M4 Competition. A lightweight forged crankshaft and special cylinder liners enable a 7,600-rpm redline. The oil system features special baffling and a supplementary oil pump to make sure the engine stays healthy even in high-G cornering. And in addition to its visual benefits, the new front fascia’s enlarged grille openings are said to ingest more cooling air.
A new exhaust system is also fitted to make sure the M2 Competition sounds sufficiently exciting. With four tips finished in black chrome, it has two electronically controlled flaps that open and close to make things louder or softer, depending on the driving mode selected.
Next up are numerous handling upgrades. Up front, for instance, the M2 Competition benefits from the same carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) strut brace as you’ll find in the M3/M4; it weighs just 3.3 pounds yet is said to improve steering precision. Also aiding handling accuracy are aluminum axles from the M3/M4, a solid-mounted rear subframe (doing away with squishy bushings), and forged-aluminum controls arms. The electromechanical power steering has been retuned, too, for duty in the M2 Competition.
Out back, the Active M Differential can adjust its locking effect based on the driving situation; an electric motor can full lock the differential in 150 milliseconds. The stability control has been reprogrammed for the M2 Competition, and as on other M cars, has an M Dynamic Mode that allows for “moderate, controlled drifts.” Nice.
Slowing things down are larger brakes all round, now with 15.7-inch front discs clamped by six-piston calipers and 14.9-inch rear discs grabbed by four-piston calipers. Those sit behind 19-inch forged wheels wearing 245/35 R19 summer performance tires.
The most important change inside is the addition of M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel. As seen on the M4 Competition, they allow drivers to preset driving modes and select them easily. Either blue or orange accent trim is offered for the M Sport bucket seats, and the engine start-stop button has been painted red because doing so, “underlines the motorsport heritage of the car.” The M2 logos in the seats, by the way, lights up at night.
As to equipment, the M2 Competition now adds parking sensors, and offers a greater range of optional active-safety features: pre-collision warning and braking, lane-departure warning, and navigation. There’s even a function that will display the speed limit, though it’s easy to imagine that being, uh, ignored in a car like the M2 Competition.
On the outside, enthusiasts will have no trouble identifying the new car. As ever, fat, flared haunches helped the M2 standard out from regular 2 Series coupes, all the exterior trim is blacked out, and there’s an M Competition badge on the trunk.
The 2019 BMW M2 Competition goes on sale this summer. Note that BMW says the Competition replaces the standard M2: rather than offering the M2 with the M2 Competition as an upgrade, only the latter model will be sold going forward. Given that all of the aforementioned upgrades sound incredibly desirable, we’d say that’s only good news for BMW M2 buyers.
Source: BMW, Motor1
