MOTORING


Two new offerings from BMW


When you think about small high-performance, two-door saloons, it brings a whole lot of interesting high-end powerful cars into the equation. Mention the M division, and you immediately think BMW. The iconic M3 set the benchmark in the 80s, and many other M derivatives have since spawned very quick, likeable supercars. We sent motoring journalist Nick Jones out to try the two latest additions to the range.


The M2 looks like an athlete that’s fit and full of energy. The clean lines are clearly bulked up here, what with the low gaping front bumper and splitter assembly. Down the sides, the balance between aggressive and


cultured is huge, and the giveaway is when you walk round to the rear end and see those back four exhaust pipes and a subtle rear spoiler on the boot lid. Internally, the attention to detail is sublime, even


with the littlest of things. The steering wheel is thick, suede and comfortable, the seats are deep and cosseting, and choice is the standard six-speed manual gearbox – or you could have the optional seven-speed DCT paddle shift auto. This, then, is no ordinary 2 Series, as the numerous M logos and carbon-fibre jewellery everywhere you look reminds you. So then, the engine. Well, it was a 3.0-litre six


cylinder turbo, and with a small wheel-base and rear- wheel drive, fun times were ahead. It used to churn out 365 horsepower (hp), bespoke just for the M2. But now there are two new variations – a


“Competition” variant and a potent “CS” version. Both cars have the M4’s TwinPower engine under the


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bonnet, one producing 410hp, the CS producing a mammoth 44hp. In a car weighing in at 1,550kg, the power-to-weight ratio is off the scale. The engine note is lovely also, thanks to it having an electronically- controlled exhaust flap that opens to deliver that familiar, deep bellowed growl all M cars have. Don’t worry about braking either – huge drilled discs all round offer reassuringly brilliant stopping power. On the fuel front, BMW has still extracted all that


power and pace, yet keeping a check on both economy and emissions with clever innovations, enabling the engine to run smoothly and efficiently. Expect around high-20s to the gallon in manual


form, which for a car of this nature is pretty damn good. If BMW has got the balance right, the M2 should hold onto its residual values quite well, despite the car costing over £50,000. It has all the luxury and pure drop-dead gorgeous


looks for a car costing that much, and far exceeds this as a true pocket-rocket of an ultra-involving driver’s car. It’s a car you could drive to Donnington Park, whizz it around the circuit for 10 laps or so, and then drive it back home.


FACTFILE


MODEL BMW M2 Competition


PRICE OTR From £52,405


PERFORMANCE Top speed: 173 miles per hour 0-60 mph: 173 miles per hour


CO2 EMISSIONS 229g/km (manual)


COMBINED MPG 27.1 mpg


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