From the outside the M2 Coupe muscles up thanks to swollen front and rear guards to swallow the wider front and rear axles, styled to pay homage to the BmW 2002 turbo and 3.0 CSL racers of the 1970s, as well as uniquely styled M-specific bumpers front and rear. Rumours have suggested BMW’s M division is preparing a cabriolet variant of its latest model, although this is denied by insiders, who say the new auto is being positioned first and foremost as a performance vehicle, which will serve as a springboard for a number of racing variants, including a possible track only GT4 model in the future. The inline six-cylinder engine is sending power to the rear wheels, allowing the auto to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3s with the automatic and in 4.5s with the manual. Maximum baseline torque is 343 lb-ft, available from 1400 to 5560 rpm, while an overboost function serves up 369 lb-ft from 1450 to 4750 rpm.
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The compact high performance coupe from BMW is back. It will see the M2 accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds (manual-equipped cars need 4.4 seconds) and top out at a governed 155 miles per hour.
BMW says the US-spec model tips the scales at 3,450 pounds (1,565 kg) with the DCT and 3,505 pounds (1,590kg) with the manual gearbox.
Further extending on the 2 Series, M division has fit its own unique electronic Active M differential, as well as M Servotronic steering with two settings, along with special M performance brakes. The coupe will go on sale early next year with a base price of approximately $50,000, and the first deliveries are tentatively scheduled for next summer.
However, buyers can choose the optional seven-speed automatic gearbox which features a launch control function as well as a function that allows wheelspin from a standing start. As a outcome, BMW has managed to reduce lift by 35 per cent and drag by five per cent over a standard 2 Series.
Stay tuned, official details about the 2017 BMW M2 will emerge in the next few hours.
There’s huge wheel arch flaring at both ends, with the front guards now 55mm wider and the rear even bigger with an 80mm increase, both accommodating the wider 1579/1601mm front and rear tracks.
Clamping the M2 down are four-piston, 380mm front/two-piston, 370mm rear ventilated disc brakes.
The multi-link rear suspension is an all-aluminium design, and there’s also plenty of aluminium up front with the double wishbones, control arms, wheel carriers and subframes, along with the struts.
Sports seats grip you in the front as you settle behind an M sports steering wheel and bespoke gearlever; there are lashings of alcantara on the door cards and centre console and carbonfibre trim is used sparingly.
The BMW M2 comes with a “Drift mode” when the Dynamic Stability Control system’s M Dynamic Mode (MDM) is activated.
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That mean it hasn’t been a long wait for the limited-edition 1 M’s replacement, but for fans eager to get into something a little smaller than the M4, it’s likely been an excrutiating one.
