Here are the first official images and video of the much-anticipated BMW M2 Coupe Series.
Set to make its public debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January, this is the successor to the what remains one of CAR magazine’s favourite BMWs… the 1 M Coupe. Here’s what you need to know about the this new little Bavarian rocket:
It’s rear-wheel drive. How could it not be
This is a proud BMW coupe tradition that goes back to the original M3 and indeed, the 2002 turbo.
Engine: a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder
It’s BMW’s six-year-old N55 engine, but seriously breathed on by BMW’s M Division. It has a single turbocharger that, like BMW’s regular six-cylinder petrol-engined models, uses a twin-scroll process to boost induction.
There’s some M3/4 lurking in there
The engine borrows a few of the M3/4’s S55 engine components (that, remember, is a twin-turbo unit). It has (among other smaller bit), the same pistons, crankshaft bearing shells, and exhaust system as the S55 powerplant, as well as similar Valvetronic variable valve control and Double Vanos variable camshaft control processes.
Outputs: it’s more powerful than the 1 Series M
272 kW @ 6 500 r/min… that‘s 45 kW less than an M3/4 but 30 kW more than the 1 Series M. It weighs a claimed 1 495kg… we weighed our M4 test car at 1 628 kg.
465 N.m @ 1 400 – 5 560 r/min. Thanks to an overboost function, this can be increased to as much as 500 N.m in short bursts. This function is activated during kickdown.
Performance
4,3 secs for 0-100 km/h (DCT auto)
4,5 secs for 0-100 km/h (manual)
250 km/h top speed (or 270 km/h with the optional driver’s package)
Transmission: standard six-speed manual or optional seven-speed DCT
The manual features a throttle-blip function and the DCT dual-clutch automatic has both manual and automatic modes.
Driving modes… including “Smokey Burnout”
You can choose between Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes, launch control and the above Smoky Burnout function that allows wheel spin off the line.
Electronic limited-slip M-differential is standard
And that means, when the Dynamic Stability Control system’s M Dynamic Mode (MDM) is activated, it allows wheel slip and therefore moderate, controlled drifts on the track.
Chassis: lighter, stiffer, wider
The suspension gets some trick lightweight components, including forged aluminium control arms and wheel carriers, in order to lower the unsprung weight by a claimed 3kg. The springs, dampers, front bushings, roll bars and electro-mechanical steering system are also all uniquely tuned.
The tracks are M4 size and are 64 mm (front) and 71 mm (rear) wider than the M235i. There’s also additional bracing between the suspension towers helps to boost rigidity.
Looks: function over form
What BMW describe as functional elements differentiate the M2 from other 2 Series coupes. These include a heavily revised bumper with winglets that channel cooling air to enlarged ducts, a subtly modified kidney grille featuring a BMW M logo, wider front and rear wings, a new side feature line and chrome highlights housing the repeater lights ahead of the doors.
It’s shod with 19-inch aluminium wheels in familiar M double-spoke design and has a low, wide rear with an M-specific twin-tailpipe.
BMW claim the exterior tweaks reduce drag by 5% as well as reduce lift by up to 35% over the regular 2 Series.
It arrives here in April 2016
The M2 will be available this April with the 6-speed manual costing R791 000 and the DCT going for R841 900.
