Based on BMW's 2-series coupe, the new M2 marks the entry point for BMW's thoroughbred, Motorsport division cars.
In this day and age, it is no secret that cars are getting larger and more bloated. Even BMW cannot escape this trend, with the current 3 Series no longer as svelte as it once was. To fill the gap, the 2-Series was released in 2014, a compact coupe that could be had with a powerful six cylinder engine in M235i guise. Fast forward to this year and BMW has unveiled the M2, touting it as a thoroughly redeveloped beast that is closer in spirit to icons like the 1M coupe and E30 M3 rather than a standard 2-Series.
On first glance BMW has got it nailed, the M2 resplendent with all the usual M car cues. The front bumper is buffed up and endowed with "air curtains" to optimize airflow, the side skirts are scalloped while the rear features a diffuser, quad pipes and a decklid spoiler. These not only look the part, but help reduce lift by 35%. However the biggest visual cue setting the M2 apart from lesser 2 series are the bulging side fenders which extend overall width by about 60mm, and house wider, forged 19-inch wheels with 245mm tires up front and 265mm tires in the rear, lending a menacing stance and increased grip.
As you’d expect, there is substance behind the style, with the M2 borrowing many bespoke ideas from its bigger M3/M4 brethren. The suspension linkages and front subframe are now wrought from lightweight aluminium, while the rear subframe is rigidly mounted to the body for further precision, instead of using rubber bushings. Finishing the chassis package is additional underbody stiffening and a variable locking M differential for the adjustable handling and ability to pull ludicrous powerslides one would expect from a modern M car. Should the fun get out of hand, 4 pot brake calipers clamp down on 15 inch discs up front while 2 pot calipers handle the rear. No, that's not a typo, the front discs are indeed as big as some car's rims!
The engine has also been fettled, but with a focus placed on reliability rather than outright power. Pistons and bearings pilfered from the M3/M4 handle increased boost while a redesigned oil pan and additional suction pump give the engine stable oil pressure. Added up, the 3.0 liter inline 6 manages 365hp and 343lb/ft of torque which matches up well enough with competitors like the Audi RS3 (367hp) and Mercedes A45 AMG (381hp). Equipped with the standard rev-matching 6-speed manual, the M2 will hit the century sprint in 4.5 seconds. Plump for the optional 7-speed DCT auto and the same feat is completed in 4.3 seconds.
Despite the added width, bigger wheels and additional bracing, the M2 weighs 40kg less than an M235i, tipping the scales at 1565kg. Not exactly light, but it does retain all the amenities available in other 2 series and the interior is nicely trimmed, with Alcantara, leather and carbon-fiber adorning the doors, seats and console respectively while chunky sports seats and a three-spoke M steering wheel complete the driving interface.
Though the standard 2 series models and the sportier M235i are great on the street they are not exactly track cars, missing important items like a limited slip differential. With the M2, BMW M has improved every area of the car to ensure a focused, reliable, track-ready car and yet it retains enough usability to be a credible daily driver. At 8l/100km even the fuel economy is acceptable. If it rides and drives anything like its bigger brothers, the M2 will prove that you can have your cake and eat it too.
