BMW PH brings new M2 Coupe to our market

BMW Philippines has finally brought in the new M2 Coupe, available in Pure and Carbon. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

In an intimate event at Karrera Café in Alabang, BMW Philippines officially launched the latest M2 Coupe.

The oversized kidney grille has been toned down, and the oversized vents look especially amazing on the G87-exclusive Zandvoort Blue. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

Following the success of last generation’s F87 with some 150 units sold locally, the current-generation G87 M2 keeps the same formula in an updated package. Short wheelbase minus the weight keeps the engine in the front, but this sends the power to the rear wheels, and you get a metric load of driving joy.

The wheelbase is slightly longer at 2,747mm from the F87’s 2,693mm, with the body itself physically longer as well at 4,580mm. The M2 is also wider at 1,887mm, but a touch stouter at 1,403mm in height. This being a BMW, the weight is nearly perfectly distributed 50:50 front to back.

The S58 has a lower compression ratio, yet manages to eke more power than the previous-generation M2. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The powerplant gets an upgrade as well, with the turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line-six S58B30T0 developing a healthy 460hp and 550Nm, up from the previous generation by 90hp.

It’s coupled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic through an M Sport differential.

Adaptive M suspension and M compound brakes help keep that power planted on the ground. Mix all that together, and you get a dizzying 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds.

Screens all around to support all the customization and the information the M2 provides. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

Besides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the BMW iDrive running BMW OS8 allows for additional vehicle customization on its massive 14.9-inch control display. The 12.3-inch information display also features BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus to keep everything you need to know visible yet nice and tidy.

Two M switches on the steering wheel lend quick access to presets for the engine, the transmission, the suspension, the steering, and the driver aid modes, all configurable from the setup button located at the center console.

All that's missing from the M Drift Analyzer to complete the gamification are global leaderboards. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

Just like the M3 and the M4, the M2 also comes with the M Drift Analyzer, scoring your sick drifts like some video game while recording statistics for improvement—that, or bragging rights.

The M2 does seat four, but you probably want to be seated up front. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

There are rear seats, and they seem to have a bit more space than some in the M2’s class, but the legroom is not particularly inviting. It does have Isofix anchors for child seats, making it just that much more practicable.

Minute creature comforts and styling choices elevate your experience in the M2—driver or passenger. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The doors have a pixelated version of the M badge on soft-touch stitched material. Illuminated highlighters give some mood lighting throughout the cabin, coupled with the class of a dark M headliner in Anthracite. Triple-zone climate control, automatic rearview mirrors, and a wireless charging pad for your smartphone make things just that little bit more convenient.

A suite of sensors along with BMW's notably bright adaptive headlights all help keep you safe on the road. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

Par for the course these days, you also get BMW’s suite of driver aids. BMW’s Driving Assistant gives parking assistance, front and rear collision warning, lane-departure warning, cross-traffic warning, and cruise control with braking function. Automatic headlights and wipers come standard as well.

The Pure gives that familiar yet comforting Bavarian flavor of no-nonsense plush that BMW is known for. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The Pure trim has Alcantara and Sensatec faux leather upholstery along with aluminum rhombic trim pieces for the interior. The seats have manual controls, but give a decent amount of customization for bolstering and whatnot. Blue stitching gives both front and rear some flair, while an embossed BMW logo tops the whole affair off.

The Carbon's trim simply screams performance. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

If you spring for the Carbon trim, well, you get carbon. The electrically adjustable M carbon fiber reinforced plastic bucket seats upholstered in Merino leather give better bolstering around turns.

A smattering of carbon-fiber trim for the dash and the center console—plus a carbon-fiber insert on the bottom of your steering wheel—all remind you of the P2,900,000 extra you’ve paid for.

Carbon. Carbon fiber everywhere! PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The carbon-fiber roof—part of the M Race Track package—sheds additional weight up top. You also get a Harman Kardon audio upgrade, and an M Driver’s Package that bumps up the Carbon’s top speed to 290km/h versus the Pure’s 250km/h.

The Carbon's roof and sound-system upgrades just give it that little bit of a kick that it needs to make the M2 even better. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

Both trims get 19-inch light alloy wheels up front, and 20-inch ones for the rear. The Carbon, however, gets the bicolor M variant.

While the Pure's spoked light alloy wheels already look amazing, the Carbon's bicolor M wheels are even more striking. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The BMW M2 Pure is available for P5,990,000, and the Carbon goes for P8,890,000. Both are available in Alpine White, Zandvoort Blue, M Brooklyn Gray, Black Sapphire, and M Toronto Red.

And, if your inner motoring puritan beckons for the one true transmission (and likely one of the last few ones in its class), a six-speed manual option is available via indent order.

There’s no word if a Competition package is on the horizon, but history tells us it’s likely bound to come.