The latest from the M garage, offering racetrack prowess on the daily, the 2023 BMW M2 (G87), launched in Malaysia. 

Based on the BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42), it underpins BMW’s modular CLAR architecture and the same powertrain found in the BMW M3 and M4.

Fully-imported (CBU), this second-generation high-performance compact coupe is available in two variants (M2 Coupe, M2 Coupe Pro Package).

Priced (OTR, w/o insurance) at MYR 573,040 and MYR 617,040, respectively, included is a standard two-year warranty.

Optionally, priced at MYR 598,800 and MYR 642,800, included is an extended five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a free service package.

Five exterior colours. Zandvoort Blue, Alpine White, Brooklyn Grey, Black Sapphire and Toronto Red. 

Weighing in at 1,800 KG, the 2023 BMW M2 is 4,580 MM long, 1,887 MM wide, 1,403 MM tall, and has a wheelbase spanning 2,747 MM.

A prowling-like silhouette, it has a sportily-elegant with an aggressively commanding presence, adorned by a mishmash of straight lines and curves.

The front-end features a bonnet with BMW’s Powerdome, flared fenders, a frameless kidney grille with horizontal bars, and squared-off lower air-intakes.

Differentiating the layout, variant M2 Coupe is decked with a standard M High-gloss Shadowline package (black details). 

Whereas, variant M2 Coupe Pro Package gets an extended M High-gloss Shadowline package, M Lights Shadowline package, and M Carbon roof.

Portraying an athletically-sculpted design, it has solidly strong proportions, emphasising on its broad and planted stance.

The rear-end features a body-coloured boot-lid spoiler, paired to a muscularly-prominent bumper with a quad exhaust-integrated diffuser.

Differentiating the layout, variant M2 Coupe is decked with a standard M High-gloss Shadowline package (black details). 

Whereas, variant M2 Coupe Pro Package gets an extended M High-gloss Shadowline package, M Lights Shadowline package, and M Carbon roof.

Contributing to a fierce-looking outlook, fitted is a pair of inward-tilted and angularly-contoured headlamp design. M Lights Shadowline (smoked-out front-rear light housings) for variant M2 Coupe Pro Package.

They are adaptive LED units with L-shape LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and high-beam assistant.

Angularly-protruding and wrapped-around, the tail lamps hold a very striking presence, gelling well with all the other sporty elements present. M Lights Shadowline (smoked-out front-rear housings) for variant M2 Coupe Pro Package.

They are LED combination units, featuring an inverted L-shape light graphic.

The dual-arm M side mirrors are electronically powered, with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and an automatic anti-dazzle function. 

Installed are M Compound brakes with four fixed pistons up front and one floating piston at the rear. 

Featured are high-gloss blue callipers (M2 Coupe) and high-gloss red callipers (M2 Coupe Pro Package).

Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Vehicle Auto Hold.

Gripping it to the tarmac is a set of double-­spoke style 930 M bicolour (black - M2 Coupe Pro Package) light-alloy rims (19-Inch - front, 20-Inch - rear), rubbered-up in 275/35 R19 (front) and 285/30 R20 (rear) tyres.

Radiating premium craftsmanship, the dashboard of the 2023 BMW M2 sees a modern, simple and neat design all around.

The all-black dash is detailed with Aluminium ‘Rhombicle’ Anthracite (M Carbon Fibre - M2 Coupe Pro Package) trimmings, and headlined by the BMW Curved Display (infotainment/instrument cluster).

Overall, the layout arrangement is well put with every accessibility having easy reachability and driver-oriented.

One half of the BMW Curved Display, it features a fully digital 12.3-Inch LCD high-resolution instrument cluster with a BMW Heads-Up Display (HUD). 

Featuring the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, it runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8 (BMW OS 8).

Interior upholstery. Leather Vernasca in black with exclusive highlights or blue contrast stitching, and Leather Vernasca in Cognac with decor stitching. 

Equipped are M Sport seats (front) with electric adjustments including backrest width and a memory function (driver), and a bench seat (rear) with a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration.

Also featured is an illuminated M badge (M Highlighters) on the front seat headrests, M seat belts (M2 Coupe Pro Package), and an Anthracite M headliner.

Considering it to be a compact coupe, it offers generous head, shoulder, and leg rooms, thus front and rear occupants get sufficient space. 

Mounted is an M steering wheel, three-spoke and wrapped in black leather, featuring multi-switches (media, vehicle settings, red M Mode buttons), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and paddle shifters. 

Aiding the drive is an M-specific Servotronic Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Featuring the Storage Compartment package, it sees numerous storage areas including back seat and side door pockets, compartmentalised and caverned spaces in the centre console, armrest pockets and a decent-sized glove box.

There are two cup holders at the front centre console, and two bottle holders at each front-side door pockets.

Incorporated are two USB ports, one 12-V socket, and a wireless charger (built-in cooling), all located at the front part of the centre console.

Accessing its powered-tailgate (remote control/key fob), opens up to a load space of 390-Litres. 

The 2023 BMW M2 features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant, grouped are Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return, Lane Change Warning, Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention, and Speed Limit Info.

Under Parking Assistant, grouped are Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid, and rear-view camera.

Others include Cruise Control with Braking Function, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Vehicle Auto Hold.

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), M seat belts (anchor, pretensioner, reminder), ISOFIX, blind-spot info system, adaptive headlamps, parking sensors (four - front, rear), door ajar warning, auto-speed-sensing door locks, Tyre pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and security alarm.

Three drive modes at the driver’s disposal. Road, Sport and Track.

Other half of the BMW Curved Display, fitted is a 14.9-Inch central touchscreen, running BMW Live Cockpit Professional on the latest BMW Operating System 8. 

It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, remote services, and vehicle settings.

Variant M2 Coupe features a HiFi loudspeaker system. Variant M2 Coupe Pro Package features a Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Nestled in the 2023 BMW M2 is a 3.0-Litre M TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 460 HP at 6,250 RPM and 550 NM of torque at 2,650 to 5,870 RPM.

Mated to the mill is an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic ( with paddle shifters).

Power is sent to the rear wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system.

It dashes from 0 to 100 KM/H in just 4.1 seconds, and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 KM/H (285 KM/H - M Driver’s Package - optional).

Installed is a 52-Litre fuel tank. Its fuel consumption is rated at 10.2 to 9.6 for every 100 KM (WLTP).

The 2023 BMW M2 gets Comfort Access system, engine Start/Stop button, powered-tailgate (remote control/key fob), automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror (exterior, interior), three-zone automatic climate control (individual rear-vents, rear-controls), welcome carpet lights, ambient lighting, Storage Compartment package, M steering wheel (multi-switches, tilt, telescopic, paddle shifters), front M Sport seats (power multi-adjustable, memory function), blind spot monitor, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, wireless charger (built-in cooling), reverse camera, parking sensors, auto headlamps and rain sensing wipers.

Rear air-conditioning vents are present, and come with its own set of controls.

Driving-related systems include Adaptive M suspension and M Drive Professional. The latter provides access to the M Drift Analyser and M Lap-Timer Plus. 

Also featured is the M Traction Control system, offering ten stages of intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation.

Overall, it is solid and comfortable with a powerful engine delivery. Refined and agile driving dynamics.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.