Very early on in the discussion thread about the possible
demise of manual M cars
M2
was mentioned. And why wouldn't it be? More than any other M car it's the one that suits a clutch and stick best, its burly and aggressive demeanour well matched to DIY gearchanges. The gearbox isn't the best, but it's one of BMW's better efforts and quite satisfying in the smallest M car.
Will there be a lap time?
Now we have pics of another M2 doing laps at the Nurburgring. Unlike the images seen
a couple of months back
, there's no cause to believe that this is a CS or anything fancier; previously PHers pointed to the larger brake calipers on that car, which this one lacks. Also, as our spy photographer pointed out in the email, "he doesn't have a rear spoiler and he doesn't sound like an M4."
Other noteworthy points? The front end is updated, incorporating new lights, grilles and bumpers. The rear looks to be getting updated lights as well. Nothing transformative then, but it could easily be argued that the M2 doesn't need significantly changing. Could we have some more colours introduced maybe?
There's nothing else to report on the M2 as yet, so we'd take a punt and say it will remain mechanically very similar, keep the manual and be shown to the world at some point later this year. If you want to get in one now - and there's every reason why you should - then there are plenty on the used market. Shame the residuals are proving so strong...
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]
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