The Detroit Motor Show 2016 is go and we have finally seen the unveiling of one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of 2016, the BMW M2. In October 2015 the press received all the details of the first ever full-fat M badged 2 series that will try to fill the huge boots that the glorious 1M Coupe left behind.
The M2 is closely related to the BMW M235i, the semi-skimmed M variant, but features a selection of significant upgrades. Starting with the engine, it is a 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder featuring a TwinScroll exhaust manifold-integrated turbocharger. When combined with direct injection, a Double-VANOS system, custom pistons and crank bearings from the M3 and M4, the 2016 BMW M2 pumps out a total of 365 hp at 6500 rpm and 465 Nm of torque from as low as 1400 rpm.
When combined with the optional dual-clutch automatic transmission, the M2 will accelerate from 0-96 km/h in a brisk 4.2 seconds. When the standard six-speed manual is specced, that acceleration figure increases slightly to 4.4 seconds. The top speed sits at an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Unsurprisingly, the DCT comes compete with a Launch Control feature.
Another significant development of the M2 over the M235i is the fitment of an active rear differential which keeps wheelspin to a minimum. Elsewhere, the M2 features the same lightweight aluminium front and rear axles as the M3 and M4 models with the control arms, wheel carriers, axle subframes and stiffening plate all made from aluminium. Braking performance is provided by four-piston calipers at the front and two-piston calipers at the rear clamping down on 15-inch diametre discs front and 14.5-inch rotors at the rear.
The 2016 M2 tips the weighs in at 1564 kg which is a weight reduction of around 38 kg over the M235i. While the M2 isn’t much lighter, it is significantly more aggressive thanks to the beefy M bodykit. The kit includes a revised front bumper fascia with large air intakes and exceptionally menacing air intake surrounds. Moving to the sides are boisterous flared wheel arches, extended side skirts and a set of 19-inch forged wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Completing the exterior look is a small bootlid lip spoiler, bold bumper and quad tailpipes.
For more information about the BMW M2, read our dedicated post and to get more updates about the Detroit Motor Show 2016, visit our news channel.
