2025 BMW M2 Gets More Horsepower, New Colors, And Subtle Updates

Already the archetype of driving pleasure for the purist, the 2025 BMW M2 raises the bar for compact high-performance sports cars in the premium segment. The new BMW M2 adds more power, greater visual impact, and innovative equipment and digital features. Front and center of this fresh round of updates is the 20 hp added to its output: the high-revving inline 6-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology now tops out at 473 hp. There are new design accents for the exterior and interior, a broadened exterior color range, and the introduction of BMW Operating System 8.5 to support the latest generation of BMW iDrive.

The 2025 BMW M2 takes the classic driver’s car concept of a straight-six engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, and rear-wheel-drive – a unique proposition among its rivals – to a new stage of evolution. In combination with its compact dimensions, chassis technology tuned perfectly for both everyday driving and track use, and a state-of-the-art operating system that allows personalization of a wide range of vehicle functions, this makes the new M2 ideally equipped to write the next chapter in the BMW M brand’s history of success in this segment.

M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine with extra output and torque.

As well as the power itself, the inimitable way in which the 6-cylinder engine delivers that power also plays a key role in the performance experience offered by the new BMW M2. The upgraded version of the engine preserves the linear power delivery, sustained into the upper reaches of the rev range, that is such a hallmark feature of M models. Its maximum torque is on tap across a wide rev band.

With the standard 6-speed manual gearbox, peak torque remains 406 lb-ft between 2,650 and 6,130 rpm. When power is channelled via the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission (a no-cost option), the figure rises to 443 lb-ft between 2,700 and 5,620 rpm. The engine produces its increased maximum output of 473 hp at 6,250 rpm, with revs topping out at 7,200 rpm.

To support the driver in getting the most out of the newfound power, advances have been made with the accelerator mapping and response in all the drive modes selectable via the M Setup menu. As a result, the new BMW M2 offers noticeably more rapid reactions to the driver’s requests for acceleration – both when specified with either the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission or the 6-speed manual gearbox.

Motorsport expertise elevates everyday performance.

Along with a pair of mono-scroll turbochargers, an indirect intercooler, and an electronically controlled wastegate, the M TwinPower Turbo technology of the straight-six engine includes High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing, and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing. The engine also has an array of details borrowed directly from motorsport design, resulting in its lightning-fast response, appetite for revs, and consistent capability in track use. These details include an extremely rigid crankcase with a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction, a forged crankshaft with lightweight design, cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating, and a 3D-printed core for the cylinder head.

The M-specific cooling system ensures the powertrain components maintain an optimal operating temperature even under heavy loads. The oil circuit is also designed to handle extremely dynamic driving situations. A map-controlled oil pump ensures reliable oil supply under extreme longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever for the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission makes it possible to alter the shift characteristics, with a choice of three clearly distinguishable settings. Both the selector lever in the latest M design and the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel enable manual gear selection at any time.

Drivers craving a more direct interaction with the powertrain can specify the 6-speed manual gearbox. The manual features the Gear Shift Assistant, which uses rev-matching control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting.

With the increased output, the manual M2 shaves 0.1s off its 0-60 mph time, completing the trip in just 4.1 seconds. The M Steptronic transmission cuts that time to 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, or 177 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package. The dynamic power delivery is accompanied by a stirring chorus from the M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps.

Expanded range of exterior paint finishes, fresh exterior details, new-look alloy wheels.

For 2025, customers can get their new BMW M2 in a choice of 3 solid colors, 7 metallic shades, and 4 BMW Individual paint finishes. The expanded range now offers Sao Paulo Yellow, Vegas Red metallic, Portimao Blue metallic, Skyscraper Grey metallic, Frozen Pure Grey metallic, and Frozen Portimao Blue II metallic. BMW Individual paint finishes include Java Green metallic, Voodoo Blue, Grigio Telesto Pearl Effect metallic and Twilight Purple Pearl Effect metallic.

The new BMW M2 is fitted standard with M alloy wheels Style 930M in a double-spoke design with a Jet Black finish, 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear. These same wheels are also available in a bi-color finish or, new for 2025, a bright silver finish.

The signature M quad tailpipes are now finished in black as standard. The model designation badges on the trunk lid and grille are now black, bordered in sliver.

New steering wheels and seat surfaces, M Carbon bucket seats now available as an individual option.

The most important interface between driver and vehicle, the steering wheel, has been newly designed, bringing a fresh look to the interior of the 2025 BMW M2. The standard-fitted M leather steering wheel now has a flat-bottomed rim and a new design for the spokes. A red center marker in the 12 o’clock position, gearshift paddles, and the two M buttons for selecting individually configured vehicle setups underscore the track-ready feel. An M Alcantara steering wheel is now also available as an option in the same design. A heating function is offered as an option for both steering wheel designs.

The M Sport seats in Vernasca leather can now be ordered in Black with a Red highlight. Also, the weight-saving M Carbon bucket seats for the new BMW M2 are now available as a standalone option as well as part of the optional Carbon Package. With surfaces in Merino leather, electric adjustment and heating, removable head restraints, and facility for adding a multi-point harness, they optimize both all-day comfort and support during sporty driving.

BMW Operating System 8.5, digital control for the climate functions.

The M-specific content in the BMW Curved Display and optional BMW Head-Up Display enhances the cockpit’s tech-forward sports car aura. The fully digital screen grouping, made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, now provides the stage for the latest evolution of the BMW iDrive system based on BMW OS 8.5. The functions of the climate control system are now also operated digitally. The temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating and – if specified – steering wheel heating in the new BMW M2 can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

This broad adoption of digitalization leads to a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit and is accompanied by a redesign of the instrument panel. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the center of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

The interior trim elements on the instrument panel and center console of the new BMW M2 come as standard in new M Fine Brushed Aluminium. Interior finishes in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M Carbon Fiber are available as options.

M-specific operating concept, extensive standard equipment.

At the heart of the M-specific operating concept is the Setup button on the center console. This provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, the standard adaptive M suspension, the M Servotronic steering, the integrated braking system working in conjunction with the M Compound brakes, and the M Traction Control function, which allows drivers to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation. The 6-speed’s Gear Shift Assistant is also activated and deactivated via the M Setup menu.

Standard equipment for the new BMW M2 also includes three-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, and the BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation system. The standard smartphone integration enables use of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Among the optional items available are Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function and the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.

Also on the options list is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the new BMW M2 now also includes Augmented View on the control display. This supplements the navigation system’s map display by showing a live video stream of the driver’s view on the information display or control display and augmenting it with contextual real-time information. At confusing junctions, for instance, an animated directional arrow is integrated into the video image to help the driver take the best turn-off for the planned route.

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Pricing for the 2025 BMW M2 starts at $66,075, which is $1,880 more than the 2024 model. But it’s a small price to pay for the extra horsepower and improvements. The new BMW M2 will be built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupe at BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in Mexico, and it will be launched worldwide with a production phase-in from August 2024.