BMW M2 Coupe 2016 review ~ station of gear

Image 1 of 30

Image 1 of 30

16 Feb, 2016 9:00am Shane O'Donoghue

With a 3.0-litre engine and a chassis tuned by BMW's M Division, the M2 promises to be a true driver's car. We find out how it measures up

The first-ever BMW M2 goes on sale in the UK this April, bringing M car thrills to a new audience by undercutting the M3 by over £12,000. But in spite of its entry-level status, the M2 has been one of the brand’s most eagerly anticipated models – and one of the most hyped cars of the year to date.

Even before we climb aboard, it’s clear that the car means business. The forged 19-inch alloy wheels appear cartoonish in size at first, making the two-door bodyshell look even shorter than it is, and the rear is dominated by the four meaty exhausts.

• Best hot hatchbacks

Image 4 of 30

Image 4 of 30

While the exterior is free of any obvious aerodynamic add-ons, plenty of work has been done in the wind tunnel. For example, that deeply aggressive front bumper features inlets for what BMW calls Air Curtains, controlling airflow around the front and side of the car. It’s 80mm wider at the rear and puts the normal 2 Series Coupé to shame with its incredibly muscular wings.

While the net result is a purposeful, attention-grabbing shape, these increases were necessary to accommodate hardware from the BMW M3 and M4. They include the sophisticated Active M Differential for the rear axle, as well as various components under the bonnet. The engine growls with purpose at low speeds and is all too happy to hit the high notes when you ask it to.

Image 20 of 30

Image 20 of 30

Somewhat surprisingly, it’s not just the same unit with a lower power output. The M2 uses a single-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six, producing 365bhp just 500rpm before it hits its rev limiter at 7,000rpm. But the endless surge of acceleration it provides – seemingly from any engine speed – is down to the torque. The peak figure of 465Nm is on tap between 1,400rpm and 5,560rpm, although for short bursts this increases to as much as 500Nm with an automatically controlled overboost function.

What this means to the driver is the choice to revel in the high revs or upshift early to effortlessly maintain speed without alerting your passengers or those around you. It’s not easy to catch the engine napping, no matter which gear you’re in.

Image 11 of 30

Image 11 of 30

Driving enthusiasts around the world rejoiced at the news that the M2 would be offered with a manual gearbox as standard, and it really suits the car’s back-to-basics personality. The shift is short and quick, but has real weight and mechanical precision, so it’s highly satisfying to use.

There’s an automatic rev-matching function as well; this won’t be to all tastes, but it’s deactivated in Sport+ mode, allowing the more experienced driver to blip the throttle on the downshift. BMW does offer an M DCT dual-clutch automatic option (£2,505) as well, and it’s brilliantly executed; it deals smoothly with normal scenarios such as stop-start traffic and motorway work, yet really adds to the experience at much higher speeds.

Image 18 of 30

Image 18 of 30

Indeed, the transmission is one of the few decisions buyers need to make, as there are just four paint colours to choose from, one alloy wheel design and one finish for the generously equipped interior. Tasteful blue-stitched black leather and embossed M logos feature inside, and there are plenty of badges dotted around, including on the perfectly sized three-spoke steering wheel.

As in all BMWs, there’s a switch to the side of the gearlever allowing the driver to change various sub-systems according to different modes. There are Comfort, Sport and Sport+ options, but a refreshing lack of other driver settings to distract you.

Image 12 of 30

Image 12 of 30

As there is no adaptive damping option, the differences between the three modes aren’t so pronounced, but there are tangible variations, notably in the power-steering assistance, throttle response and exhaust note. The electric steering is deliciously direct, but the extra weight of the Sport and Sport+ modes suits faster driving.

Sport+ mode also automatically engages M Dynamic mode for the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, enabling the more experienced driver to explore the car’s limits further before the electronic safety systems come into play. BMW even refers to “controlled drifts” in its press material.

Image 23 of 30

Image 23 of 30

On track, this proved highly effective, with moderate slip from the rear on the exit of corners. This environment revealed the chassis’ stable and forgiving personality, and the strong brakes, making the M2 easy to drive quickly. The wide track no doubt helps, but a lot of it is down to the reprogrammed Active M Differential, which can be felt apportioning power across the rear axle.

Back on the road, this responsive nature translates into agility like that of a talented hot hatch, and on one really bumpy section we were astounded at how the M2 continued to find traction on the exit of corners.

The M2 has been the most hyped car of 2016, but we can confirm it was worthy of such high expectations. Comparisons with BMW icons such as the 2002 Turbo and E30 M3 are inevitable and justified, as they are with the current M4 that the new car shares so much with. But the M2 is a very different beast. It’s sensational to drive, yet accessible, too. It eclipses its rivals from Audi and Mercedes, instead drawing comparison with cars like the Porsche Cayman.

Model: BMW M2 Coupe
Price: £44,070
Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl turbo petrol
Power: 365bhp
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Economy: 33.2mpg
CO2: 199g/km
On sale: April

Thank you for reading the article about BMW M2 Coupe 2016 review in blog station of gear If this article was helpful please bookmark this page in your web browser by pressing Ctrl + D on your keyboard keys.