The new 2023 BMW M2 promises to be a handful, but it has some big shoes to fill. The 2021 BMW M2 Competition built on years of development since 2016, resulting in a handsome, fast, and, most importantly, fun car. So how does the beloved 2021 BMW M2 stack up against the redesigned newcomer 2023 BMW M2?

How much horsepower does the 2021 BMW M2 have?

The 2021 BMW M2 Competition produces 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. That’s a far cry from the 2016 M2’s N55-derived inline-six and its 365 horsepower. However, it’s enough to send the baby Bimmer sliding around corners in a cloud of tire smoke. Unsurprisingly, though, the newest addition to the M2 family is the most powerful one yet. 

The 2023 BMW M2 produces 453 horsepower from its S58 mill, a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. Moreover, the new car makes the same 406 lb-ft of torque as the older M2. Better yet, both the 2021 and 2023 cars channel their ponies with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. However, the new vehicle ditches the seven-speed dual-clutch in favor of an eight-speed unit.   

Is the 2021 BMW M2 fast?

Surprisingly, BMW says that the new 2023 M2 is quite similar in a straight line to the 2021 BMW M2 Competition. Car and Driver says the 2021 BMW M2 Competition with a manual transmission hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, and the automatic version will do it in 4.1. Conversely, BMW says the new 2023 coupe will hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the eight-speed automatic and 4.0 seconds with the manual. 

Despite the difference in power, the cars are very similar contenders. Of course, BMW hasn’t announced a CS or Competition version of the 2023 M2. 

How much is the new 2023 M2?

The upcoming 2023 M2 starts at $63,195, which seems like a tough sell for the little M car. However, the M3, the next M in the lineup, starts quite a bit higher at $73,795. Still, the newer, wider, heavier M2 costs more than the car it replaces. Specifically, the 2021 BMW M2 Competition started at around $59,895. 

Unfortunately, if you want an older baby Bimmer instead of the new one, you might not save any money. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says the average used purchase price for a 2021 M2 is around $62,208. That’s not surprising, though; M cars tend to be more collectible and sought after than non-M vehicles.   

Should you buy a 2021 BMW M2 or wait for a 2023 M2?

While the cars share a nameplate, they’re different on the inside and out. If you want a newer, more powerful, if also more garishly styled M2, buy the new car in the Spring of next year. However, you can’t go wrong with the older M car if you want a similarly fast M car with more sedate looks. One thing is sure: they’re both more pleasing to the eye than some of the modern kidney grille controversy cars. 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about sports coupes like the M2!