The second-generation BMW M2 is rightfully considered the purist's M car. It also happens to be the most affordable M produced nowadays. The G87 is also believed to be M's final production vehicle with a manual transmission, as well as the go-faster division's final purely internal combustion-engined production vehicle.
Developed to be as rewarding as possible in the corners, the G87 is no slouch in a straight line. Opting for the manual transmission means a little over 4.0 seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), whereas the ZF-supplied auto improves to 3.9 seconds.
Archie Hamilton Racing had the opportunity of pitting the all-new M2 against an M5 Competition, and – obviously enough – it got destroyed in every single drag race. On the other hand, the G87 impressed from a dig, launching that little better than the V8-powered M5 Comp.
It also hangs in there from a 30-mph rolling start, although the M5 Competition proves too much for the G87 by the halfway point of the drag race. Given that we're dealing with a twin-turbo V8 versus a twin-turbo I6, nobody should be surprised the BMW M5 Competition pulls away so easily despite its weight.
Not to be confused with the CS, the Competition slots between the no-nonsense CS and regular M5. The high-performance sedan tips the scales at 4,345 pounds, which converts to 1,971 kilograms in the metric system. By comparison, the G87 weighs 3,814 lbs (1,730 kgs).
While it may seem like too much for a compact-sized coupe, bear in mind the M2 features the CLuster ARchitecture of the M5 Competition. The all-new 5er also features the CLAR platform, which supports different levels of electrification. From mild hybrid to fully electric, that is. The eighth-gen 5er will further spawn a plug-in hybrid M5, which – for the first time since the E60/E61 – will be available as a wagon.
As far as the M2 is concerned, there is hearsay in regard to a small refresh for 2024. Expected to arrive in dealer showrooms as a 2025 model, said refresh is believed to come with a bit more oomph for the S58 engine. It's not clear, though, if we're in for 475 metric ponies or 475 mechanical ponies.
Come 2026, the G87 is further expected to adopt the performance-oriented xDrive system that BMW refers to as M xDrive. Similar to the M3 and M4, it should offer a RWD mode for smoky donuts and burnouts. The second-gen M2 will reportedly end production in July 2029.
Manufactured in Mexico rather than Germany, the G87 has recently entered the 2024 model year with a $1,000 price increase over the 2023 model. Excluding the $995 destination freight charge, the G87 starts at $63,200 in the US. Over in the UK, where Archie Hamilton is based, the starting price is £64,890.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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