Test Car Specifications
Model tested: BMW M2 Coupé
Pricing: from £44,070 on-the-road [DCT: £46,575]
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual (or seven-speed M DCT automatic), rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door, 2+2 coupé
CO2 emissions: 199g/km (VED Band J, £265 annually) [DCT: 185g/km; Band I, £225]
Combined economy: 33.2mpg [DCT: 35.8mpg]
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 4.5 seconds [DCT: 4.3 seconds]
Power: 370hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 465Nm at 1,400- to 5,560rpm (500Nm on overboost)
What's this?
This is the new 'baby' of the M car line-up, the M2 Coupé, based on the two-door 2 Series. Under the bonnet is a single-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine producing 370hp and up to 500Nm of torque on overboost. It shares a few things with the M3/M4 unit, such as pistons, high-performance spark plugs and crankshaft bearings, but it's not the same powerplant. It's bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, for £44,070, or the seven-speed M DCT automatic for £46,575 and on paper the latter is more efficient and faster accelerating - albeit by small margins. Naturally, all power is sent to the rear wheels only.
Giving the M2 its distinctively chunky stance are big jumps in front and rear tracks (it's 80mm wider at the rear wheels), thanks to the M3/M4 axle. Under there is a development of the electronically controlled Active M Differential, though it's lighter and reprogrammed to suit the M2. Otherwise the chassis is remarkably simple, with fixed rate damping and fixed ratio power steering. Indeed, variable damping and steering are not on the options list. Same for carbon ceramic brakes. Buyers can upgrade the brake pads from the M Performance Parts catalogue, but that's it. It's a refreshing approach, in an attempt to keep the M2 as pure as possible.
Saying all that, it's quite well equipped as standard, featuring black leather M sports seats with blue contrast stitching, Xenon lights, satnav and more. It's still a useful £13,500 or so cheaper than the entry-level BMW M3.
How does it drive?
Our very first taste of the BMW M2 was accelerating out of the pit lane at the Laguna Seca race track, trying to keep our pace driver in sight. A couple of things here: one - I've not been on this circuit before; two - the lead driver was Bill Auberlen, an actual racer who is no stranger to the podium in sports car racing. You think he'd go easy on us for the opening laps, right? Not a bit of it. "I recommend you use Sport+" was the only piece of guidance I remember hearing over the radio before we blasted into Turn One for a baptism of fire.
And yet, the M2 soaked up the too-early and too-late braking, the bodged apex clipping, the over exuberance with the throttle on exit and even a bit of mid-corner braking to trim the speed. Two laps in it was clear that this car wasn't going to kill me, even if I didn't know which way the track went. And a few hours later, au fait at least with the direction each corner took, with speeds rising, the M2 felt better and better. Even on hot tyres, it didn't understeer, instead gripping at the front and obediently turning where asked. Mid-corner, there's lovely, trustworthy balance and it doesn't take much to ease the rear axle into a gentle slide on the exit.
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system is quick-witted, but too restrictive for track use. It has a mid-setting called M Dynamic Mode (MDM) that works better while keeping a useful safety net in place. That allows more rear axle slip to the benefit of flow through the corners, yet keeps you out of the gravel traps. Later in the day we had the confidence to turn off the DSC completely and the M2 remains benign and easy to drive fast. Intentionally unstick the rear tyres and it's far easier to hold a long drift than it is in the M3/M4. The engine seems less spiky and the rear differential smoother in operation, though the all-square stance of the shorter wheelbase and wide track probably helps too.
Away from the space of the circuit the M2 turns out to be more impressive again. It has huge reserves of grip thanks to a low centre of gravity, the wide track and big tyres. The body control is nigh on perfect, the steering well-weighted and the brakes simply excellent. But it's the way the M2 changes direction and absorbs jolts and undulations that truly stands out. Even pushed hard through really bumpy and tight corners it clings on and blasts out the other side, painting a grin on the driver's face. More than once we reckoned it felt more like a well-sorted hot hatch than something with 370hp and 500Nm at its disposal and all going through the rear wheels. It's far easier to drive the M2 quickly than it is its more senior siblings, though it'll be interesting to see if that's still the case in the wet. Suffice to say, the chassis stole the show here.
And what of the support acts? The engine is strong, seemingly without any holes in its delivery. Not everyone will like the turbocharged roar, but it sounds great from the outside, while those inside are fooled (a little) by noise piped through the stereo system. The six-speed manual gearchange is lovely and direct and satisfying to use. In the M3/M4 it almost feels like too much more to concentrate on to have a manual gearbox, but it really suits the M2. Saying that, we wouldn't chastise those that go for the M DCT auto either, as it's brilliantly calibrated and as usual features plenty of modes to suit your mood at any given time. Other than the standard Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings, there are no other driving options on board, so you can just jump in and enjoy.
Verdict
Those that have driven the current M3/M4 in less than ideal conditions and come away a bit frightened may be a little wary of a smaller car using the same basic concept and even some important parts, such as the rear axle. But the M2 feels completely different, while retaining that focused M car character that fans of the brand appreciate. It's simply brilliant to drive, no matter what the surface underneath is like and yet much more forgiving than its older siblings. Hopefully it can carry that off even when the road is wet too. If so, it'll be one of the best performance cars launched this year.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
