The second generation of the BMW M2 is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms from April.

Speak with drivesaid a BMW Australia spokesman, “we are doing everything we can to get the new M2 into dealerships from April, with customers able to order a car now.”

The G87 generation 2023 BMW M2 is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo ‘S58’ petrol engine, which is also found in the current BMW M3 and M4 – albeit with slightly less power in the M2.

The M2 offers 338 kW and 550 Nm, which is lower than the manual M3’s 353 kW and 550 Nm, but higher than the previous top-of-the-line F87 generation M2 CS with 331 kW and 550 Nm.

The new car’s extra size and weight improves its power-to-weight ratio over the previous F87-generation M2, but still gives the M3 and M4 the edge.

Based on BMW’s ‘CLAR’ architecture – which underpins almost all of its models, including the larger 3 Series – the new M2 is taller than the old car in every way except at height, where it sits 7mm lower.

The G87 M2 is not only the last BMW M car to be developed without a hybrid or electric powertrain, but also the last M car to be fitted with a manual gearbox.

Although buyer interest in the new car has been strong, there is no indication of how many customers have ordered a three-pedal car.

To add some context, a BMW Australia spokesman noted that “the decrease for a manual gearbox was about 30 percent on the previous generation M2.”