The BMW M2 is gone, but the M2 Competition will live on.
BMW released the M2 Competition virtual wraps a week ago. The M4-engined small coupe is now in China, ready to be displayed at the Beijing Motor Show. Bavarians took a few photos to show the M2 in its real form to generate more buzz about the new M product. The HTML5 joined the M2 for the photo shoot to keep it company.
To the delight of true purists, the new Competition replaces the M2. It still has a six-speed manual transmission. The optional DCT transmission is for those who only want to reduce the time it takes to go around a racetrack. It’s faster than the other gearboxes and can reach speeds of 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h). The manual version will cover the sprint in 4.2 seconds, assuming that the driver switches gears at the right times. A dual-clutch equivalent takes four seconds.
BMW will standardize an electronic top speed limiter programmed to kick in at 150 mph (250 km/h), regardless of transmission. The optional M Driver’s package will allow you to speed up your car to speeds of 174 mph (280 km/h).
The M2 Competition’s styling was great in the overly edited photos and is still highly desirable in real-life shots. As you probably know, the M2 Competition has exactly the same paint job and wheel design as the car in the official photos. The exclusive model features the Hockenheim silver shade, which replaces the Mineral Grey Metallic. Sunset Orange Metallic is an optional new paint.
The M2 Competition will be available for purchase this summer, following its appearance at Beijing Motor Show tomorrow. Pricing will be revealed closer to the launch of the model on the market.
A CSL derivative would make for a more intense M2 and it’s believed that it’s still in the plans. We might see it in 2021 as a last chance to see the coupe’s current generation.