Wednesday 21st May 2014

BMW M2 testing at 'ring

The 1 M successor we've all been waiting for is on the way

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For those still struggling with a '4' in the BMW M range of models, the additional confusion from the M2's introduction now seems another step closer. It's been rumoured for a while and this prototype seen at the 'ring would apparently confirm a fully fledged 2 Series M.

Start with this...

It's hard not to think of the magnificent 1 M Coupe with the upcoming M2. Fortunately it looks like the formula for creating the new model is very similar. Take a 1 Series coupe/2 Series then add more power, a few bits of M3 hardware and some deliciously distended bodywork and, voila, another great M car. Or so we hope.

This car appears to be running the M3 brakes, and it's believed that car's steering will also be used in the 2 Series. Power will of course have to be below the M3 but far enough above the M235i; somewhere around 380hp would sit nicely between them.

It's worth pointing out the car seen here, despite the flared arches, isn't representative of the M2's final appearance. It's missing four exhausts for a start. This is where the M2 becomes even more interesting because of BMW's recent work based on a 2 Series. As well as the M235i Racing, BMW has also just shown its Vision Gran Turismo car. Most similar to the 2 Series from all BMW models, it look absolutely marvellous.

... and add a bit of this for M2, right?

If the M2 can incorporate some of the Vision Gran Turismo's outrageously aggressive aesthetic as well as combining the dynamic adroitness seen in the M235i and M3 then it really could be something special. Furthermore, its arrival can help push the memory of stuff like the 2 Series Active Tourer further to the back of our minds. More as it arrives!

 

M2 testing vid here.

 

[Sources: autoevolution, Bimmerpost, BMW YouTube]

 

[tyrrell]

Bloody Brilliant news about time to

[marmite monster]

What size would you like your M sir small meduim or large !

[Debaser]

Good news!

This being PH, someone will be along soon to say testing at the 'ring is pointless and everything they do there should be done on public roads in the UK.

[Raptor222]

Long live the 1M - the rare "parts bin" special that started it all.

[Kenny Powers]

This is going to be a fabulous car. Hopefully they will be low volume enough to ensure good residual values. I can't see them being as exclusive as the 1M though. Or even as good!

[g3org3y]

Too big, too heavy. Last real M2 was the...oh wait!


Great news for the enthusiast imo.

[Axionknight]

Consiring the M235i is also available I don't see the point in this, unless they stripped it out and made it much more focussed, personally.

As an aside, I was sat in a blue M235i in Union Square, the local shopping centre, around a month ago and thought it looked fantastic and at a glance seemed and felt very well screwed together, my girlfriend had to drag me away from the sales rep lady! (Not just because she was fit, either).

[Phateuk]

Axionknight said:

Consiring the M235i is also available I don't see the point in this <snip>

Can of worms opened

[KennyGT]

Does this mean the 1M will finally drop from the 40k mark?

[Ed T]

When do we think the first orders will be taken for this then? 18+ months? Might be perfect timing for replacement for my 13 plate e92

[rlc18]

It'll look like this, no?...


All I know is the M235i looks gorgeous so the M2 with wider arches more power and sound is only going to get MORE gorgeous! I want one but it'll be way too expensive for a mere peasant such as myself

[Joeguard1990]

Axionknight said:

Consiring the M235i is also available I don't see the point in this, unless they stripped it out and made it much more focussed, personally.

As an aside, I was sat in a blue M235i in Union Square, the local shopping centre, around a month ago and thought it looked fantastic and at a glance seemed and felt very well screwed together, my girlfriend had to drag me away from the sales rep lady! (Not just because she was fit, either).

They did a 135i as well as the 1M and I know which one I would rather have...

[Kenny Powers]

History will repeat itself here.

The negative reactions toward the 1M before anyone had even seen one were laughable. Fairly sure that car was also pointless

[Caddyshack]

Oooh tempting. I wonder if they will be manual or on the 8speed auto box.


The 6 speed auto with flappy paddles is really very good on my M135i Coupe.

[Dave Hedgehog]

very interesting

potentially lots of interesting cars coming

[daveco]

rlc18 said:

It'll look like this, no?...


All I know is the M235i looks gorgeous so the M2 with wider arches more power and sound is only going to get MORE gorgeous! I want one but it'll be way too expensive for a mere peasant such as myself

That looks phenomenal. Like an updated E46 M3. I can see it being their biggest M car seller.

[aeropilot]

Ed T said:

When do we think the first orders will be taken for this then? 18+ months?

EU/UK production is expected to commence in Nov 2015 and run for about 2 years, so unlikely to be a limited number run like the 1M was.

[aeropilot]

Caddyshack said:

Oooh tempting. I wonder if they will be manual or on the 8speed auto box.

Won't have the 8speed auto option, will have proper M-DCT as option as well as standard 6MT manual.

Whether it's the 6MT from the M235 or the new one from the M3/M4 is not known.

[Dagnut]

Axionknight said:

Consiring the M235i is also available I don't see the point in this

The point is too sell it.

Axionknight said:

unless they stripped it out and made it much more focussed, personally.

It won't sell if it's stripped out.

[LB14]

Looks potentially epic - maybe not as exclusive as the 1M but if it gets close visually to how that car looked it'll be a corker. I'll have one in white with M decals please.