BMW M2 has been spotted in the final

The upcoming BMW M2 has been spotted in the final stages of testing ahead of its planned launch early next year. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January, the M2 should cost around £45,000 when it reaches UK showrooms.

While this latest test mule was spotted on public roads, prototypes of the M2 have previously been spotted performing hot laps at the iconic Nürburgring circuit. These pictures show the M2's production-ready front bumper and quad-exit 'M-double' exhaust system at the rear, which is synonymous with BMW's M performance division. Bigger brakes, larger wheels, flared wheel arches and more aggressive front air intakes can also be seen on the performance coupé.

The German manufacturer is preparing to revive the intrinsic spirit and driving appeal of its original six-cylinder powered M3 with the new racy two-door, which will sit between the existing M235i and the fifth-generation M3 in its line-up. Power for the new model will come from a 370bhp-plus turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.

Described as an all-new development, the S57 B30-designated unit is based around the German car maker’s B57 powerplant which features in the sixth-generation 7-series - rather than the older N55 engine that forms the basis of the unit that powers the M3 and M4, the so-called S55 B30.

A heavy cloak of secrecy surrounds the new engine, which is also earmarked to power a range of future petrol powered ‘M Performance’ models for BMW M’s subordinate go-faster brand. Nitschke revealed it could develop up to 400bhp in production form, beating the future power output of the four- and five-cylinder engines of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and second-generation Audi RS3.

“Four hundred is the magic number,” said the BMW M division boss, referring to the power output of the M2’s new engine. “With forced induction it is no trouble to achieve this, but we have to make sure it doesn’t get too close to the power level of the new M4,” in reference to the engine used by the M2 Coupé’s larger sibling, which delivers 425bhp.

BMW M division insiders say initial prototypes of the M2 Coupé run an engine tune that gives it 375bhp.

Channelling those reserves will be a standard six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual clutch transmission with remote steering wheel mounted shift paddles – both featuring automatic stop/start and brake energy recuperation alongside a thermal energy recovery function.  

Although nothing is official ahead of the M2's unveiling, BMW M division sources suggest the new M2 Coupé will be geared for a 0-62mph time of 4.4sec in seven speed dual clutch guise – 0.5sec inside the time quoted for the 335bhp 1M Coupé and 0.2sec slower than the M4. The model's top speed, as with all existing M-cars, will be limited to 155mph in standard guise.

Early examples of the M2 Coupé will be sold exclusively in rear-wheel drive configuration, complete with an electronically controlled limited slip differential that incorporates a torque vectoring function for enhanced traction. 

The combination of six-cylinder power and rear-wheel drive is set to provide the new price-leading BMW M car with what Nitschke describes as “a unique selling point” in a market segment he says is “completely dominated by four-cylinder four-wheel drive performance cars”.

Autocar understands BMW’s M division is planning to make a four-wheel drive xDrive option available for the M2 Coupé in selected markets later on as part of a broader sales strategy that will see it offered as an option on all future series production M models.

Further performance-enhancing initiatives include the use of a number of lightweight components aimed at bringing the M2 Coupé’s kerbweight well down below 1530kg to be lighter than the existing M235i. Among them will be a carbonfibre strut brace within the engine bay and composite plastic panels – developments first seen on the new M3 and M4.

Differentiating the new M2 Coupé from the existing M235i Coupé will be uniquely styled front and rear bumpers, front wings, sills, boot lid and standard 19-inch wheels. 

The M2 Coupé is planned to be produced at BMW’s Eisenach plant in Germany. Volumes are likely to be limited, with around 1000 examples of the M2 scheduled to come to the UK.

Despite early rumours suggesting an open-top M2 Cabriolet would arrive late in 2016, Autocar understands that only the M2 Coupé is planned.

by http://www.autocar.co.uk

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