Tuesday 28th January 2014

BMW M2 for 2016

1M replacement could feature a detuned M4 engine and styling cues from the M235i Racing

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At the international media launch of BMW's new 2 Series, company insiders hinted heavily at a full M division version of the two-door coupe. A spokesman confirmed that the 2 Series had been "configured to accept a [more powerful] engine."

Could this sans decals preview an M2?

The M235i, a halfway house between a standard BMW production model and a full M division product, has a 326hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine, suggesting that a more powerful 2 Series could have as much as 380hp. The M2, which wouldn't arrive before 2016, would likely use a detuned version of the forthcoming M3 and M4 twin-turbocharged engine, which develops 430hp in those applications.

Our impressions of the M235i were very positive, although the M Performance model does leave space for a more focused, more agile version at the top of the 2 Series range.

The M2 could take inspiration from the M235i Racing, which has swollen wheel arches to accommodate a wider track front and rear. The Racing, which will be sold to privateer teams for 60,000 euros, can be considered to be BMW's recognition of the 2 Series road car's untapped sporting potential.

The M235i was the ninth BMW product to wear its new M Performance branding. Co-developed by BMW AG and M GmbH engineers, these models offer much of the performance of the full-fat M cars, but without the costs that are prohibitive to many. So far, some 20,000 M Performance cars have been sold around the world.

[Kawasicki]

BMW, stop being sophisticated and stylish and just stick some box arches on the thing.

[Trtj]

This is getting silly. Stop building these marketing ploys and all the different n35i cars and just rebuild the 1M that so many people loved, and let it have it's day. I really fail to see the point of the 2 series cars.

[eliotrw]

But 2 is a 1....

[zeppelin101]

eliotrw said:

But 2 is a 1....

Isn't that a Spice Girls song?

[Sampaio]

Trtj said:

This is getting silly. Stop building these marketing ploys and all the different n35i cars and just rebuild the 1M that so many people loved, and let it have it's day. I really fail to see the point of the 2 series cars.

They WILL make a new generation of the 1M, that's exactly what the article says, what are you complaining about?

You fail to see the point of the 2-series cars? I think they're the cheaper, more compact and therefore lighter and more engaging to drive alternative to BMW's other coupe, the 4-series.

And to finish things off, I really like the idea of these n35i cars, because sometimes you don't need a racing car for the road, all you need is some power (and 320bhp is more than enough at any given time on a real road...), some suspension tuning and better brakes.

Plus, you get to wear a M badge on the back of your car hehehe

[hondansx]

zeppelin101 said:

eliotrw said:

But 2 is a 1....

Isn't that a Spice Girls song?

[FamilyDub]

Sampaio said:

Plus, you get to wear a M badge on the back of your car hehehe

^ Watch the thread descend into chaos after this comment.

In 3, 2, 1...

[Trtj]

I wasn't aware the 2 is replacing the 1 coupe. Fair enough. In that case I think we can do away with the ugly remaining 1 hatchbonk.

[okie592]

Trtj said:

I wasn't aware the 2 is replacing the 1 coupe. Fair enough. In that case I think we can do away with the ugly remaining 1 hatchbonk.

No no can't do that what would pistonheaders who hate finance lease for their weapon on the road at bargin prices cause it looks like a 118d init

[g3org3y]

Going to be a serious piece of kit then.

If the M135i is competing with the RS3/A45 from a performance point of view, wonder how the M2 will compare.

[FamilyDub]

g3org3y said:

Going to be a serious piece of kit then.

If the M135i is competing with the RS3/A45 from a performance point of view, wonder how the M2 will compare.

Is the M135 though? The RS3 is a full-fat RS product and the A45 a full-fat AMG product.

The S3 is a more obvious direct rival. Is there an A200/A250 hot version of the A-class?

Anyway, whether the M135 it's better than those two is a different question entirely (see Harris' M135/RS3 video)...

Is does however, leave space for an M2 to be a fantastic bit of kit, especially if ///M can get it to weigh a bit less than the M235i.

Edited by FamilyDub on Tuesday 28th January 11:39

[jon-]

Edited: Read properly

Where are the CSL boys anyway? They should be swearing at everyone by now.

Edited by jon- on Tuesday 28th January 11:52

[cerb4.5lee]

This does have the potential to be very special if they can keep the weight off a little bit.

[AlpinaB5s]

Spiritual successor to the E30 M3 to arrive 30 years after the original car. Hmmmmm.....

A sure-fire future classic.

[anonymous-user]

cerb4.5lee said:

This does have the potential to be very special if they can keep the weight off a little bit.

I said that to my wife but she wouldn't have any of it.

[NWMark]

FamilyDub said:

g3org3y said:

Going to be a serious piece of kit then.

If the M135i is competing with the RS3/A45 from a performance point of view, wonder how the M2 will compare.

Is the M135 though? The RS3 is a full-fat RS product and the A45 a full-fat AMG product.

The S3 is a more obvious direct rival. Is there an A200/A250 hot version of the A-class?

Anyway, whether the M135 it's better than those two is a different question entirely (see Harris' M135/RS3 video)...

Is does however, leave space for an M2 to be a fantastic bit of kit, especially if ///M can get it to weigh a bit less than the M235i.

Edited by FamilyDub on Tuesday 28th January 11:39

This is how I see it.

M135i vs S3 (3dr/Sportback) vs A250
M235i vs S3 Saloon vs CLA250
M1/M2 vs RS3 vs (CL)A45

[vz-r_dave]

If they make it a real M and throw a CSL badge on top I think it has the making to be a classic. However it is likely that it will be as generic as every other M branded BMW (using the same very bland engine) in the current range. The 2 is just not appealing to me in anyway but making it a true CSL would certainly sway my mind.

[Debaser]

Sounds like an M2 could be a lot of fun.

[Ollieb7]

Unless they improve on the electric steering how can it end up being better than the 1M?

[cerb4.5lee]

wingman0401 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

This does have the potential to be very special if they can keep the weight off a little bit.

I said that to my wife but she wouldn't have any of it.