That’s it folks, no matter how hard BMW officials deny the existence of an M2, we KNOW that it exists and that it will be coming to the market in the following months.
A while back we spotted the new car leaving the BMW headquarters for the first time and we were thrilled. Now, we’re here, witnessing its first outing on the world-famous Nurburgring, the track where all manufacturers test their sport cars.
Wider hips and more aggressive looks for a proper M car
We know this is the new M2 just by the size of the thing. If the front and rear bumpers have been taken straight off the new BMW M235i, the front and rear fenders are so wide that you just can’t take your eyes off them.
With the Vision Gran Turismo fresh in our memory, it’s hard not to hope that the new M car will take after it. Featuring a new front bumper, quad tail pipes and seriously enhanced fenders, the new M2 could be the best looking car from BMW for the next few years.
380 HP out of a 3-liter 6-cylinder inline engine
Under the bonnet, an upgraded version of the N55HP unit used on the M235i will probably be used, rumored to be making around 380 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. With such numbers and its compact size, this car could be the absolute return to basics of the Bavarian brand.
The steering and brakes will also be shared with the new M3 and M4, for added performance. The transmission will, most likely, be shared too, the M2 coming out with a manual 6-speed and a 7-speed DCT unit for faster shifts.
Why it matters
Small, light, powerful coupes have been the cornerstone for BMW back in the 80s. The rise to fame and the number one spot in luxury sales worldwide couldn’t have been achieved without the E30 M3 and its successors. And if there was one thing people loved about that car it was the lightness in its step.
Creating a true successor to that iconic car would bring back most of the M enthusiasts that left the brand in recent years. The current M5 and turbocharged engines drove some of the hardcore drivers away from the Bavarian brand but thing are about to change, once again, if the M2 will turn out to be the success we’re all hoping to see.
Furthermore, while front-wheel-drive cars like the 2 Series Active Tourer are destined for a new type of customer for BMW, the M2 appeals to the old-school driver, the one that likes to change gears himself and get in trouble when the tail starts sliding around. Expect the new F87 M2 in 2016.
Google News