Since the launch of the BMW 2 Series Coupe in 2013, M-thusisasts all over the world have been wishing for the M vesion of the car. Now their prayers have been answered, as BMW announced the hottest 2 Series Coupe ever, the BMW M2.
Unlike the predecessor that was called 1 Series M Coupe, the M2 doesn’t need to be called as such because the name doesn’t clash with BMW M’s legendary mid-engined supercar of the 70’s, the M1. However, both the 1 Series M Coupe and this latest M2 owe a lot to the original compact coupe from BMW M division, the E30 M3, as featured in the YouTube video below.
The M2 is built on the same formula, by taking the standard base car and given the usual M-treatment. The wild styling on the outside with its swollen wheel arches and aggressive bumpers are said to have been inspired by the previous M cars such as the 3.0 CSL, but we can see it’s the evolution of the modern interpretation that appeared on the 1 Series M Coupe.
The aero job not only contributes to a mean-looking coupe, but it reduces lift by 35 percent and drag by 5 percent compared to the donor car, the F22 2 Series Coupe. Most body panels are new to the M2, the fenders in particular, have been widened by 55mm at the front and 80mm at the rear as a result of the increased track width. They also accommodate a wider set of 19-inch lightweight alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubbers measuring 245/35 ZR19 at the front and 265/35 ZR19 at the rear.
Other M bits such as the double-louvered grille and the vents on the front fenders are present here, but the double-arm side mirrors from the bigger M cars are noticeably absent here. The boot lid carries just a tiny spoiler like on the F80 M3 instead of a redesigned lid like on the F82 M4, but at least quad tailpipes still make their appearance under the rear diffuser, and they are also fitted with a special flap system to play the distinctive tune of BMW M soundtrack.
Changes are minimal on the inside. The sports seats have been re-trimmed in black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching and an M logo in the backrests, while the the instrument cluster have also been M-ified. Additionally there’s a knee pad on the center console, an M footrest, bits of Alcantara on the door cards, and porous carbon fibre trim pieces.
Various options are available for the standard iDrive system via the ConnectedDrive Services. M-thusiasts should be interested with the GoPro app and the M Laptimer app which records the car’s details including the speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, engine revs and which gear engaged, the steering angle, and the accelerator position. They can use it to analyse their driving, or simply just to boast about their lap time on Facebook.
But of course most of you want to know what’s going on underneath the pumped up looks of the M2. Aluminium is used extensively for the front and rear axles, suspensions struts, anti-roll bar, and the gorgeous 19-inch wheels to trim down the weight.
The same material is also used for the 2,979 cc six-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. Armed with M TwinPower Turbo technology, the unit puts out 370 hp at 6,500 rpm and 465 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 5,560 rpm. There’s also an overboost function which increases the total torque to 500 Nm between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm.
Purist will be delighted to know that the M2 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and power is still sent to the rear wheels, with Active M Differential for optimum agility. Getting from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h. The optional M Driver’s Package will unlock the 270 km/h top speed, and it will also include the BMW Driving Experience voucher for a track training course. The optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) is quicker still, clocking 100 km/h from standstill in 4.3 seconds.
Automatic throttle blipping is available on both transmission choices, but the M DCT ups the ante with Launch Control and its innovative Drivelogic functions that works in conjunction with the three driving modes accessed from the Driving Experience Control switch. The M DCT is also equipped with the Stability Clutch Control (SCC) which prevents oversteer by disengaging the clutches when necessary, and the Smokey Burnout function which is said to allow the driver to “indulge in a degree of rear wheel spin while the car is moving at low speeds”.
For the more serious drivers, M Dynamic Mode (MDM) can be activated automatically in track mode (Sport +). The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) will allow extra wheel slip and freedom to the driver to control the car, meaning huge drifts are possible in this compact coupe, but depending on the driver’s skills of course.
The Electric Power Steering has been tweaked to give the M-specific characteristics with direct steering feel and precise feedback, and the brakes have been given an upgrade too. The M compound brakes measure 380 mm at the front and 370 mm at the rear, and they are paired with 4-piston calipers at the front and 2-piston calipers at the rear.
We’re not sure about you guys, but the specifications of the M2 made us drool. We’ve driven the F22 220i Coupe and it is such an enjoyable car to drive around, so imagine what the boffins at BMW M can do to a car that’s already good. We hope that the M2 will make it to our shores.
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