2023 BMW M2 arrives in Melbourne ahead of global reveal

The 2023 BMW M2 is on Australian soil, but for now it remains shrouded in secrecy.

The high-performance coupe us being shown to VIPs behind closed doors at the Motorclassica in Melbourne this weekend, before its formal unveiling in Europe later this month.

While BMW remains tight-lipped about the secret visit – even though the car has already been caught on camera undisguised multiple times (see above and below) – Drive understands BMW air-freighted the new M2 to Australia for the Motorclassica event.

VIPs will apparently be offered an early look behind closed doors – and, presumably, with no cameras or smartphones allowed.

Meantime, the all-new BMW XM and BMW M3 Touring will be on public display at the event.

A number of historically important BMW M cars will also be shown – including the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’, the 2003 BMW M3 CSL (E46), and the 2016 BMW M4 GTS – as the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Sources have told Drive the new BMW M2 will be arriving at the Royal Exhibition building today ahead of the opening night cocktail party tonight, though the German car maker is understood to have gone to great lengths to hide the vehicle from prying eyes.

Despite BMW’s best efforts, images of the M2 have leaked a number of times since July 2021 (shown above and top), with the latest leak showing a pre-production vehicle finished in its flagship colour, M Zandvoort Blue.

As previously reported, a leaked internal document revealed the 2023 BMW M2 will use the 3.0-litre ‘S58’ twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine borrowed from its M3 and M4 siblings – though de-tuned by 16kW to produce a total of 338kW.

Owners will have a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic, sending power to the rear wheels.

On 15 and 16 October 2022, BMW M Fest will be taking place at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit in South Africa, with 25,000 fans expected to celebrate the 50 years of M – and may provide the perfect backdrop for the BMW M2’s public unveiling.

“Our exhibition space at Motorclassica 2022 will truly celebrate the BMW M division in grand and appropriate style,” General Manager of Marketing at BMW Australia Alex McLean said earlier this week.

Mr McLean said fans will have “a very special opportunity to experience models from our history that have shaped the brand, alongside those that have only just been revealed to the world, and even one that has yet to break cover.”

For those wanting to attend Motorclassica 2022, read our latest story which covers this weekend’s event by clicking here.