Friday 23rd January 2015

Spied: BMW M2

Forthcoming baby M car is spotted inside the Arctic Circle

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As cold as Britain gets at this time of the year, it's nowhere near chilly enough for winter testing. Manufacturers go north - very far north - with frozen lakes inside the Arctic Circle one of the favourite locations for making sure forthcoming models can cope with extreme chill.

Four exhaust pipes? Check!

And, of course, like prototypes everywhere they're followed by a chasing pack of spy photographers, who willingly risk frostbite to snap future cars. And it's paid off here, with a great set of pictures of the BMW M2 wearing nothing more than BMW's light 'dazzle' disguise ahead of its debut later this year.

First impressions are that it looks like a slightly downsized E92 M3, which most of us would agree is a good thing. See the chunkier flared wheel arches, together with the trademark M car quad exhaust tailpipes.

Camo wrap would be good option

The M2 is the successor to the 1 M Coupe, which became an instant cult classic when it was launched back in 2011 and is still reckoned by many to be the best M car of the last five years. It will sit above the M235i, but below the M4, requiring some nifty footwork by the marketing department considering that all three cars will be powered by turbocharged 3.0-litre straight sixes.

But three different engines, with the M2's motor reportedly spun from BMW's next generation petrol six (while the M3 and M4 use an engine derived from the old N55). Autocar reckons it will produce a bit less than 400hp - to make sure it doesn't get too close to the M4 - and will be offered with both a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed dual-clutch DCT. It should also be lighter and stiffer than the M235i thanks to the use of carbon and composite parts.

Here's hoping it's as good as the 1 M was.

[Source: Autocar]
[Pictures: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[DeltaTango]

Most definitely at the top of my shopping list, should be a nice step up from the M135i. I hope the steering is an improvement.

What do we think the prices of these will be? £45k?

[LukeR94]

Im probably not the first to say this but arent all the recent M cars a bit "Samey" .

Also I dont see what market this fits into, surely they are just stealing sales from the M235i?

[bennyboysvuk]

I've been waiting for this car to come along for ages. Proper LSD, great brakes, lots of grunt, small (ish) size and M suspension with suitable ARB rates. It'll handle, be fast, involving and fun. What's not to like?

[kambites]

LukeR94 said:

Also I dont see what market this fits into, surely they are just stealing sales from the M235i?

The M4 and 435i seem to sit happily enough in the same range. I don't see why this should be any different.

[dc2rr07]

bennyboysvuk said:

I've been waiting for this car to come along for ages. Proper LSD, great brakes, lots of grunt, small (ish) size and M suspension with suitable ARB rates. It'll handle, be fast, involving and fun. What's not to like?

+1

size probably similar to a E46 M3 which is not a bad thing.

[shantybeater]

As long as this thing isnt much heavier than the 1M then its bound to be brilliant. Hopefully they won't be precious about production numbers so used prices will become reachable. Can't help but think this will massively affect the 1M residuals - all those investors I think its time to sell up!

[Pumajay]

Hopefully they don't go all M3/M4 on this one and over style every single part of the car!!

[vescaegg]

I didnt even know this was going to be a thing!

Could be perfect for those who think the M4 has gotten a bit lardy.

[kambites]

vescaegg said:

I didnt even know this was going to be a thing!

Could be perfect for those who think the M4 has gotten a bit lardy.

I think those expecting it to be much lighter than the M4 may be somewhat disappointed.

[DMC2]

Hahaha 'spotted'. because a photographer was just hanging around there... Erm.. released pics!

[moffat]

Even with the camo it looks good.

I hope these aren't a limited production run as I always seem to miss out as they are never out at the right time for me.

I would predict 360-370bhp especially as it is using an M version of the new B58 (S58??) 3.0 engine that is going to launch later this year in the 340i.

Mercedes have already mentioned that the A45 will get a power boost to 370bhp to fend off this and the new RS3.

The price difference between this, the M235i and M3/4 will ensure that sales won't be cannabalised. In my opinion M servicing and the other related costs will probably keep certain folks from buying this. Having said that It might be a bit of an issue for the M4 if it is 'too' good.

I'll be amused if the new B58/S58 engine sounds better than the current lump in the M3/4 which is pretty bland.

[Amirhussain]

Can't wait. The 1M was a hit straight away from BMW, I wonder how this will impact 1M prices?

[MrBarry123]

Looking forward to this, especially as they've kept the dimensions nice and squat like the 1M.

[Mermaid]

Amirhussain said:

Can't wait. The 1M was a hit straight away from BMW, I wonder how this will impact 1M prices?

What's the attraction of the 1M if the M2 is a similar proposition, but better, newer.

[foresterlad]

The attraction of the 1m was a limited run 400 from memory. Simple supply and demand economics really

[foresterlad]

The attraction of the 1m was a limited run 400 from memory. Simple supply and demand economics really

[LukeR94]

kambites said:

LukeR94 said:

Also I dont see what market this fits into, surely they are just stealing sales from the M235i?

The M4 and 435i seem to sit happily enough in the same range. I don't see why this should be any different.

Thats true but my thoughts on the 435i is that its not really performance orientated, where as the M235i is, its badged as an "M" car. This isnt that different. It will no doubt be a brilliant car but so is the M235i.

When BMW released the E36 M3 and the E36 328i they had to detune the 328(In the form of a lesser intake manifold) as they feared it would have detremented sales of the M3 if they were too closely matched.

I fear the M235i will detriment sales of this, or the other way round.

[EricE]

Mermaid said:

What's the attraction of the 1M if the M2 is a similar proposition, but better, newer.

The looks of the previous 1 series!





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Hahaha just kidding.

[tyrrell]

Looks great can't Wait for it to arrive

[Nick Young]

Mermaid said:

What's the attraction of the 1M if the M2 is a similar proposition, but better, newer.

There will always be a market for limited run, special classic cars, especially when it's as good as the 1M was.